Origin
San Anselmo, CA
Morning in San Anselmo on Friday
Local time
6:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Anselmo, CA to Fontana, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 12m
Distance
438.7 mi
706 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$101
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 4m
★
6 AM
8h 12m
8 AM
8h 28m
10 AM
8h 18m
12 PM
8h 16m
3 PM
8h 18m
5 PM
8h 27m
8 PM
8h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Anselmo, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from San Anselmo to Fontana covers 438.7 miles and requires approximately 8 hours and 12 minutes of driving time. Because this journey consists of turn-heavy local roads rather than major interstate highways, it is best approached as a two-day trip rather than a single-day sprint. Expect to budget roughly $102 for fuel as you navigate through the Pacific Coast region. While you will utilize local thoroughfares like Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Red Hill Avenue, and Fourth Street, the lack of highway travel means your average speed will be lower than a traditional freeway route. Planning for an overnight stop will make the transition between these two California locations much more manageable and less fatiguing.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
219.3 miles from San Anselmo, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 6m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a technical, turn-heavy experience behind the wheel since this route maintains a 0% highway share. You won't find the monotony of a long interstate grind here; instead, the drive demands your full attention as you navigate local roads like Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Because the path relies entirely on surface streets, the road's personality is defined by constant changes in direction rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. This is a hands-on driving experience that requires patience as you maneuver through local infrastructure to cover the 438.7 miles. Be prepared for a slower, more deliberate pace that contrasts sharply with standard high-speed highway travel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 12m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from San Anselmo, CA to Fontana, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Francis Drake Boulevard | — | — |
| Red Hill Avenue | — | — |
| Fourth Street | — | — |
| Hetherton Street | — | — |
| US 101 South | — | — |
| Redwood Highway | — | — |
| John T | — | — |
| Eastshore Freeway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Anselmo, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on the route
30 ft
·
4 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Red Hill Avenue
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Red Hill Avenue
4
Continue on Fourth Street
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Fourth Street
5
Keep slight left to continue on Fourth Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Fourth Street
6
Turn right onto Hetherton Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Hetherton Street
7
Take the ramp straight toward US 101 South: San Francisco, Oakland
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 101 South: San Francisco, Oakland
8
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Redwood Highway
9
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
14 mi
·
17 min
·
John T. Knox Freeway
10
Merge slight left onto Eastshore Freeway
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
11
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate Highway 80
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
Interstate Highway 80
12
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
16 mi
·
18 min
·
MacArthur Freeway
13
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
14
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
15
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
11 mi
·
12 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
16
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
17
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
224 mi
·
4 hr
·
Westside Freeway
18
Keep slight right
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
19
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: Pasadena
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 210 East: Pasadena
21
Continue on Foothill Freeway
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Foothill Freeway
22
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Foothill Freeway
23
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Foothill Freeway
24
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
25
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
26
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Foothill Freeway
27
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Foothill Freeway
28
Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Sierra Avenue
29
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Sierra Avenue
30
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
207 ft
·
4 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
31
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To keep this 8-hour and 12-minute trip comfortable, I recommend splitting the drive over two days to avoid driver fatigue on these technical local roads. Plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch and regroup, especially since the lack of high-speed highway segments can make the time behind the wheel feel longer than expected. Budgeting $102 for fuel is a solid baseline, but keep in mind that local road driving can sometimes lead to varying fuel efficiency. Since your path relies on specific streets like Fourth Street and Red Hill Avenue, double-check your navigation before departing San Anselmo to ensure you stay on the intended local route. Giving yourself extra time for this journey is the best way to handle the turn-heavy nature of the drive.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 219.3 miles from San Anselmo, CA, or about 4h 6m into the drive.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 97 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 219.3 miles or 4h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 219.3 miles or 4h 6m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fontana, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Anselmo, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Anselmo, CA
Aim for roughly 219 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fontana, CA
Aim for roughly 219 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 miles from San Anselmo, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 219.3 mi from San Anselmo, CA · 4h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
219 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Bakersfield, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
219 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Bakersfield, CA after about 219 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 97 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 219.3 miles from San Anselmo, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 219 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.
Arriving in Fontana, CA
The final approach into Fontana, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Fontana, CA.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Fontana, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$100.83 one way
$201.66 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
154 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $103.91 | $207.81 |
| premium | $6.18 | $106.69 | $213.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $96.86 | $193.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$101
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$231–$341
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 153.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 131.6 | 1 | $46.06 | $21.06 |
| Efficient EV | 109.7 | 1 | $38.39 | $17.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 175.5 | 2 | $61.42 | $28.08 |
Gas CO2
153 kg
EV CO2
51 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Fontana, CA
Morning in Fontana on Friday
Local time
6:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 12m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from San Anselmo, CA to Fontana, CA covers 438.7 miles and takes about 8h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Red Hill Avenue, Fourth Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 219 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 219.3 miles from San Anselmo, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $100.83 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 12m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from San Anselmo, CA to Fontana, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from San Anselmo, CA to Fontana, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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