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Trip from Signal Hill, 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

1h 14m

Distance

59.9 mi

96 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 9m ★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 26m
10 AM
1h 19m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 19m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 11m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

Signal Hill, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fontana, CA, CA

Fontana, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 59.9-mile drive from Signal Hill, California, to Fontana, California, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 14 minutes. Primarily utilizing the San Bernardino Freeway and the San Gabriel River Freeway, with a portion on the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes, this route is a highway-focused experience. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward path, it's perfectly suited as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stops. Budget around $14 for fuel for this excursion. Both your origin and destination are within the broad Pacific Coast region, making this a contained California drive.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 14m. Total distance: 59.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 85% of the journey taking place on major freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 23.9 miles on the San Bernardino Freeway, offering a consistent pace. This route emphasizes efficient travel, primarily consisting of fast-paced freeway driving. While largely consistent, the transition between the San Gabriel River Freeway and the San Bernardino Freeway marks a significant portion of the drive.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Bernardino Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 23.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Bernardino Freeway and San Gabriel River Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.9 miles you will encounter 22 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 24.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
24.5 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit toward I 10 West, I 10 East: Los Angeles, San Bernardino

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: Los Angeles, San B...
7
24.6 mi into trip | ~33m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: San Bernardino

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino
6
26 mi into trip | ~35m in | I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
57.8 mi into trip | ~1h 11m 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 64 Toward Sierra Avenue
8
58.1 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Sierra Avenue North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward Sierra Avenue North

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 Signal Hill, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Bernardino along the way.

San Bernardino

24.5 mi in | ~32m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
San Bernardino Freeway 23.9 mi 27m
San Gabriel River Freeway 18 mi 20m
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes 9 mi 9m
East Willow Street 2.8 mi 5m
North Los Coyotes Diagonal 2.5 mi 4m
Sierra Avenue 1.7 mi 2m
Carson Street 0.9 mi 1m
Merrill Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: San Bernardino Freeway — 23.9 mi, about 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Signal Hill, CA and Fontana, CA.

1

Start on East Willow Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · East Willow Street
2

Continue on East Willow Street

2.7 mi · 4 min · East Willow Street
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left onto North Los Coyotes Diagonal

2.5 mi · 4 min · North Los Coyotes Diagonal
Use the left lane.
4

Turn right onto Carson Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · Carson Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 605 North: San Gabriel River Freeway North
6

Merge onto I 605

18 mi · 20 min · San Gabriel River Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: Los Angeles, San Bernardino Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 10

1.0 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.2 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.5 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.1 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

4.0 mi · 4 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR

9.0 mi · 9 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the slight left lane.
19

Merge onto I 10

6.5 mi · 7 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 64 Toward Sierra Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork

448 ft · 12 sec
Toward Sierra Avenue North Use the left lane.
22

Turn slight left onto Sierra Avenue

1.7 mi · 2 min · Sierra Avenue
Use the left lane.
23

Turn right onto Merrill Avenue

205 ft · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue
24

Arrive at destination

Merrill Avenue

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 29.9 mi from Signal Hill, CA · 39m into the drive

city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pasadena, CA

30 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

Los Angeles, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Covina, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 29.9 miles from Signal Hill, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.77 one way

$27.54 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $14.19 $28.37
premium $6.18 $14.57 $29.13
diesel $5.61 $13.23 $26.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$14

Estimated CO2 emission: 21 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 18 0 $6.29 $2.88
Efficient EV 15 0 $5.24 $2.40
EV Truck/SUV 24 0 $8.39 $3.83

Gas CO2

21 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Signal Hill, CA

Morning in Signal Hill on Friday

Local time

10:41 AM

PDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fontana, CA

Morning in Fontana on Friday

Local time

10:41 AM

PDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

51°F

Pasadena, CA

30 mi in

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

20 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

1h 14m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Signal Hill, CA to Fontana, CA covers 59.9 miles and takes about 1h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are San Bernardino Freeway, San Gabriel River Freeway, I-10 Metro ExpressLanes. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 29.9 miles from Signal Hill, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.77 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.9 miles you will encounter 22 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 24.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from Signal Hill, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Bernardino along the way.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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