The drive from South San Francisco, CA to Fontana, CA covers 422.6 miles and takes about 7h 59m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Westside Freeway, Bayshore Freeway, Foothill 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 $97.13 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
211.3 miles from South San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 1m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 59m. Total distance: 422.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 59m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 59m highway drive covering 422.6 miles, with most of the trip on Westside Freeway and Bayshore 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 29 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 Bayshore Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Miller Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
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 422.6 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 0.1 miles (Miller Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.6 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 352.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Miller Avenue
Turn left onto Miller Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
26.6 mi into trip|~32m 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
352.1 mi into trip|~6h 36m 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
376.8 mi into trip|~7h 5m 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
419.3 mi into trip|~7h 53m 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 South San Francisco, CA and Fontana, CA, road signs point toward Los Angeles and Ventura.
Los Angeles
26.6 mi in|~32m|via US 101
Ventura
376.8 mi in|~7h 5m|via I 210
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
181.1 mi
3h 14m
Bayshore Freeway
67.9 mi
1h 18m
Foothill Freeway
67 mi
1h 17m
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
Airport Boulevard
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South San Francisco, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on Airport Boulevard
366 ft·16 sec·Airport Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn left onto Miller Avenue
244 ft·11 sec·Miller Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn right onto Cypress Avenue
364 ft·17 sec·Cypress Avenue
4
Turn right onto Lux Avenue
212 ft·12 sec·Lux Avenue
5
Turn right onto Airport Boulevard
0.5 mi·59 sec·Airport Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Continue on Produce Avenue
0.3 mi·26 sec·Produce Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 101 South: San JoseUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 101
0.4 mi·29 sec·Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
25 mi·28 min·Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
42 mi·48 min·Bayshore Freeway
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.3 mi·39 sec·CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
12
Turn left onto CA 152
353 ft·12 sec·East 10th Street
13
Continue on CA 152
41 mi·50 min·Pacheco Pass Highway
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
15
Merge onto I 5
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·17 sec
Exit 161AToward I 210 East: PasadenaUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 210
24 mi·28 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
19 mi·22 min·Foothill Freeway
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, VenturaUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi·3 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
16 mi·18 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 67Toward Sierra AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
28
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft·4 sec·Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
29
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 211.3 miles from South San Francisco, CA, or about 4h 1m 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 211.3 miles or 4h 1m 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 48m
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 South San Francisco, 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 South San Francisco, CA
This is one driving day of about 422.6 miles and 7h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from South San Francisco, 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 211.3 mi from South San Francisco, CA
· 4h 1m into the drive
The midpoint is around 211.3 miles from South San Francisco, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 349.8
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 291.5
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
126.8
1
$44.37
$20.28
Efficient EV
105.7
1
$36.98
$16.90
EV Truck/SUV
169
2
$59.16
$27.05
Gas CO2
148 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
South San Francisco, CA
Morning
in South San Francisco on Thursday
Local time
9:22 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fontana, CA
Morning
in Fontana on Thursday
Local time
9:22 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
SW 0 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:38AM PDT until April 16 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:38AM PDT until April 16 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
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
8 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 59m 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 South San Francisco, CA to Fontana, CA covers 422.6 miles and takes about 7h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, Bayshore Freeway, Foothill 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 211.3 miles from South San Francisco, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $97.13 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 422.6 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 0.1 miles (Miller Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.6 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 352.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between South San Francisco, CA and Fontana, CA, road signs point toward Los Angeles and Ventura.
