Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Antioch, CA to Fontana, CA

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 31m

Distance

398.2 mi

641 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$92

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
7h 21m ★
6 AM
7h 31m
8 AM
7h 51m
10 AM
7h 38m
12 PM
7h 36m
3 PM
7h 39m
5 PM
7h 50m
8 PM
7h 25m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in California, United States

Antioch, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fontana, CA, CA

Fontana, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 398.2-mile journey from Antioch, CA to Fontana, CA is designed as a single-day adventure, estimated to take about 7 hours and 31 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing the Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway, with a segment on I 5 Truck, this route is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 95% of the drive on major freeways. With a projected fuel cost of $92 and a plan for 2 stops, it's a straightforward trip connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region. This drive offers a direct path, making it a manageable, albeit long, day trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently.

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

199.1 miles from Antioch, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 45m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 224.4 mi 4h
Foothill Freeway 67 mi 1h 17m
I 5 Truck 58.4 mi 1h 6m
William Elton Brown Freeway 14 mi 15m
CA 4 9.9 mi 11m
Byron Highway 5.1 mi 7m
Mountain House Parkway 3.4 mi 6m
Vasco Road 3.4 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 224.4 mi, about 4h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East 18th Street

70 ft · 8 sec · East 18th Street
2

Turn left onto A Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · A Street
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward CA 4 East: Stockton Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto CA 4

1.9 mi · 2 min · CA 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4

8.0 mi · 9 min · CA 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on Vasco Road

3.4 mi · 4 min · Vasco Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7

Turn left onto Camino Diablo

1.6 mi · 3 min · Camino Diablo
8

Turn right onto J4

5.1 mi · 7 min · Byron Highway
9

Continue on J4

1.5 mi · 2 min · Byron-Bethany Road
10

Continue on J4

1.8 mi · 2 min · Byron Road
11

Turn right onto Mountain House Parkway

2.7 mi · 4 min · Mountain House Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
12

Continue on International Parkway

1.0 mi · 1 min · International Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on Mountain House Parkway

0.8 mi · 1 min · Mountain House Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
15

Merge onto I 580

8.1 mi · 8 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

5.9 mi · 6 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
17

Merge onto I 5

224 mi · 4 hr · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.0 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 17 sec
Exit 161A Toward I 210 East: Pasadena Use the slight right lane.
21

Continue on I 210

24 mi · 28 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

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.
23

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210

2.9 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.4 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

16 mi · 18 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Exit 67 Toward Sierra Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Turn right onto Sierra Avenue

3.0 mi · 4 min · Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
30

Turn left onto Merrill Avenue

205 ft · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
31

Arrive at destination

Merrill Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour 31-minute estimated duration, consider an early morning departure from Antioch, CA, to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. Plan your two stops strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or after completing the longest 224.4-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as this route is estimated to cost $92 in fuel. This is a trip best tackled with a full tank to start, ensuring you can comfortably reach your destination in Fontana, CA.

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 199.1 miles from Antioch, CA, or about 3h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 88 miles or 1h 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 199.1 miles or 3h 45m 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 20m

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 Antioch, 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 Antioch, CA

This is one driving day of about 398.2 miles and 7h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Antioch, 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 224.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Clarita, CA

199 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

Turlock, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Coalinga, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 199.1 miles from Antioch, 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 224.4 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Fontana, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Fontana, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Fontana, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Lebec, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lebec, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lebec, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Castaic, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Rialto, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

Final third 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Valencia, California

+16612554100

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 23

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 394.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | A Street

Turn left onto A Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in

Turn left toward CA 4 East: Stockton

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward CA 4 East: Stockton
7
327.6 mi into trip | ~6h 7m 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
352.3 mi into trip | ~6h 36m 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
394.8 mi into trip | ~7h 25m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$91.52 one way

$183.05 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 139 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $94.31 $188.63
premium $6.18 $96.84 $193.68
diesel $5.61 $87.92 $175.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$92

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$117–$142

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 139.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 119.5 1 $41.81 $19.11
Efficient EV 99.6 1 $34.84 $15.93
EV Truck/SUV 159.3 1 $55.75 $25.48

Gas CO2

139 kg

EV CO2

47 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Antioch, CA

Late night in Antioch on Tuesday

Local time

3:39 AM

PDT

Current temp

--

Unavailable

Destination

Fontana, CA

Late night in Fontana on Tuesday

Local time

3:39 AM

PDT

Current temp

53°F

Clear

N 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 1:22AM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM 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.

Road read

7h 31m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

National Memorial

On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour Free near mile 329.5
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

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...

28 mi from route ~71 min detour Free near mile 260.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this 398.2-mile trip, as 95% of the route utilizes major freeways like the Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. You'll encounter a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. While largely a freeway experience, the transition between these major arteries will define the character of the drive. This profile suggests a consistent pace, allowing you to maintain speed for much of the journey.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.4 mi on Westside Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 early in the drive near A Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 398.2 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: near the start (A Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 327.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Antioch, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.

Ventura

352.3 mi in | ~6h 36m | via I 210

About the Cities

Starting in Antioch, CA

Full guide →

Antioch is in eastern Contra Costa County in California.

Arriving in Fontana, CA

Full guide →

Fontana is a city in San Bernardino County in Southern California.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 31m. Total distance: 398.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Fontana, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (A Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 327.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fontana, CA before the return drive.

How this page is built

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

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Fontana, CA

Arcata, CA 696.7 mi · 13h 28m Shasta Lake, CA 596.3 mi · 10h 56m Anderson, CA 577.9 mi · 10h 35m Susanville, CA 533.6 mi · 10h 53m

More from Antioch, CA

Riverside, CA 403.8 mi · 7h 43m Irvine, CA 393.2 mi · 7h 24m Santa Ana, CA 384.7 mi · 7h 16m Anaheim, CA 378.5 mi · 7h 10m Los Angeles, CA 352.5 mi · 6h 39m Fresno, CA 154.1 mi · 3h 8m

More trips to Fontana, CA

Chico, CA 517.1 mi Lincoln, CA 459.2 mi Truckee, CA 453.9 mi Sonoma, CA 451.7 mi Rocklin, CA 451.1 mi El Dorado Hills, CA 447.9 mi
Escape planner: Antioch, CA Scenic drives in CA

Explore more options from Antioch, CA or browse trips ending in Fontana, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.