Origin
San Bruno, CA
Morning in San Bruno on Thursday
Local time
9:16 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Bruno, CA to Fontana, CA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
7h 58m
Distance
421.1 mi
678 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$97
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 49m
★
6 AM
7h 58m
8 AM
8h 16m
10 AM
8h 4m
12 PM
8h 2m
3 PM
8h 5m
5 PM
8h 15m
8 PM
7h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Bruno, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from San Bruno, CA to Fontana, CA covers 421.1 miles and takes about 7h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, Bayshore Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 181.1 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $96.79 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
210.5 miles from San Bruno, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 58m. Total distance: 421.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 58m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 58m highway drive covering 421.1 miles, with most of the trip on Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 181.1 miles on Westside Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 181.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 421.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 350.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 101 South: San Jose, San Francisco International Airport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, San Francisco In...
8
25 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
US 101 / Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101 / Bayshore Freeway toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
7
350.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 210 East: Pasadena
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 161A
Toward I 210 East: Pasadena
8
375.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 3m in
|
I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino,...
7
417.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 52m in
Take the exit toward Sierra Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 67
Toward Sierra Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Bruno, CA and Fontana, CA, road signs point toward Los Angeles and Ventura.
Los Angeles
25 mi in
|
~30m
|
via US 101
Ventura
375.2 mi in
|
~7h 3m
|
via I 210
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 181.1 mi | 3h 14m |
| Foothill Freeway | 67 mi | 1h 17m |
| Bayshore Freeway | 65.9 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 5 Truck | 58.4 mi | 1h 6m |
| Pacheco Pass Highway | 40.6 mi | 50m |
| Sierra Avenue | 3 mi | 4m |
| Golden State Freeway | 2 mi | 2m |
| US 101 Spur | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Bruno, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on this road
207 ft
·
17 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto San Mateo Avenue
270 ft
·
11 sec
·
San Mateo Avenue
3
Turn right onto San Bruno Avenue East
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
San Bruno Avenue East
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, San Francisco International Airport
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto US 101 Spur
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 101 Spur
Toward San Francisco International Airport, San Bruno Avenue
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 101 South: San Jose
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto US 101
23 mi
·
27 min
·
Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
42 mi
·
48 min
·
Bayshore Freeway
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
10
Turn left onto CA 152
353 ft
·
12 sec
·
East 10th Street
11
Continue on CA 152
41 mi
·
50 min
·
Pacheco Pass Highway
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
13
Merge onto I 5
181 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 161A
Toward I 210 East: Pasadena
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on I 210
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 67
Toward Sierra Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft
·
4 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 210.5 miles from San Bruno, CA, or about 4h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 93 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 210.5 miles or 4h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 47m
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 Bruno, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Bruno, CA
This is one driving day of about 421.1 miles and 7h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from San Bruno, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 181.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 210.5 mi from San Bruno, CA · 4h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
211 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 210.5 miles from San Bruno, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 181.1 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$96.79 one way
$193.57 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
147 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $99.74 | $199.48 |
| premium | $6.18 | $102.41 | $204.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $92.97 | $185.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$97
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$122–$147
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 147.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 126.3 | 1 | $44.22 | $20.21 |
| Efficient EV | 105.3 | 1 | $36.85 | $16.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 168.4 | 2 | $58.95 | $26.95 |
Gas CO2
147 kg
EV CO2
49 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 Thursday
Local time
9:16 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.
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
24 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
7h 58m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from San Bruno, CA to Fontana, CA covers 421.1 miles and takes about 7h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, Bayshore Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 210.5 miles from San Bruno, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $96.79 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 421.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 350.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between San Bruno, CA and Fontana, CA, road signs point toward Los Angeles and Ventura.
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