Origin
Santa Clara, CA
Evening in Santa Clara on Thursday
Local time
8:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Santa Clara, CA to Fontana, CA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
7h 24m
Distance
390.2 mi
628 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$90
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 14m
★
6 AM
7h 24m
8 AM
7h 45m
10 AM
7h 31m
12 PM
7h 29m
3 PM
7h 32m
5 PM
7h 44m
8 PM
7h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Santa Clara, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 390.2-mile drive from Santa Clara, CA to Fontana, CA is designed as a single-day adventure, estimated to take about 7 hours and 24 minutes of driving time. You'll spend 88% of your journey on highways, making it a focused, road-centric experience. With a projected fuel cost of $90, it's a budget-friendly trip for a single day. The drive is primarily on the Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway, with a significant 181.1-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway where you'll cover substantial ground. This route is a straightforward way to travel between the Pacific Coast regions of California.
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
195.1 miles from Santa Clara, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 24m. Total distance: 390.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 390.2-mile trip, with 88% of your travel occurring on major freeways like the Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. The personality of this route is largely dictated by its interstate nature, offering a consistent pace. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 181.1 miles on the Westside Freeway, allowing for extended periods of steady driving. While predominantly highway, the transition onto I 5 Truck indicates a shift in the immediate road environment as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 4.2 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 24 significant decision points across 390.2 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 4.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 259.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 319.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.2 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4B
Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
6
259.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m in
|
I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
319.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 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
344.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 29m 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
386.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 18m 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.
On the drive from Santa Clara, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
Ventura
344.4 mi in
|
~6h 29m
|
via I 210
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 181.1 mi | 3h 14m |
| Foothill Freeway | 67 mi | 1h 17m |
| I 5 Truck | 58.4 mi | 1h 6m |
| Pacheco Pass Highway | 40.6 mi | 50m |
| Bayshore Freeway | 32.1 mi | 37m |
| Sierra Avenue | 3 mi | 4m |
| Golden State Freeway | 2 mi | 2m |
| I 880 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Clara, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on Lincoln Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Lincoln Street
2
Turn left onto CA 82
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
El Camino Real
3
Turn slight right
151 ft
·
6 sec
Use the right lane.
4
Turn slight right onto Lafayette Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Lafayette Street
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto Market Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Market Street
6
Continue on The Alameda
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
The Alameda
7
Continue on CA 82
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
The Alameda
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 880
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 880
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 4B
Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 101
32 mi
·
37 min
·
Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
13
Turn left onto CA 152
353 ft
·
12 sec
·
East 10th Street
14
Continue on CA 152
41 mi
·
50 min
·
Pacheco Pass Highway
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
16
Merge onto I 5
181 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 161A
Toward I 210 East: Pasadena
Use the slight right lane.
20
Continue on I 210
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 67
Toward Sierra Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
29
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft
·
4 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 24-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Santa Clara to bypass potential traffic, especially as you navigate through urban areas. With 2 planned stops and a longest stretch of 181.1 miles, you can comfortably pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $90 for this 390.2-mile journey. A practical tip for this route: utilize real-time traffic apps to monitor conditions on the Westside Freeway, as it can experience significant congestion.
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 195.1 miles from Santa Clara, CA, or about 3h 42m 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 86 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195.1 miles or 3h 42m 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 13m
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 Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, CA
This is one driving day of about 390.2 miles and 7h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Santa Clara, 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 195.1 mi from Santa Clara, CA · 3h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
195 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 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 195.1 miles from Santa Clara, 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
$89.68 one way
$179.37 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
137 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $92.42 | $184.84 |
| premium | $6.18 | $94.89 | $189.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $86.15 | $172.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$90
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$115–$140
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 117.1 | 1 | $40.97 | $18.73 |
| Efficient EV | 97.6 | 1 | $34.14 | $15.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 156.1 | 1 | $54.63 | $24.97 |
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% 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
Evening in Fontana on Thursday
Local time
8:48 PM
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
29 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 24m 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 Santa Clara, CA to Fontana, CA covers 390.2 miles and takes about 7h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, I 5 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 195.1 miles from Santa Clara, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $89.68 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 24 significant decision points across 390.2 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 4.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 259.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 319.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Santa Clara, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
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