Origin
Barstow, CA
Late night in Barstow on Tuesday
Local time
3:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Barstow, CA to Fontana, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
68.9 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Barstow, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 68.9-mile journey from Barstow, CA to Fontana, CA takes approximately 1 hour and 18 minutes and is best suited as a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this route is an accessible option for a quick drive within the Pacific Coast region. The drive is characterized by its numerous turns, indicating a more local and potentially stop-and-go experience rather than a straightforward highway cruise. You'll primarily navigate via South Barstow Road and the Barstow and Mojave Freeway, eventually transitioning onto CHP Officer Larry L. Given its short duration and local road focus, planning for potential traffic delays due to the turn-heavy profile is advisable.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Barstow and Mojave Freeway | 51.3 mi | 54m |
| Sierra Avenue | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| I 15 | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| South Barstow Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Merrill Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
— 51.3 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barstow, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on CR 66; US 66 Hist
52 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto South Barstow Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Barstow Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
4
Merge onto I 15
45 mi
·
48 min
·
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist; US 91 Hist; US 395 Hist
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
6.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto I 15
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
I 15
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 119
Toward Sierra Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Sierra Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft
·
4 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
11
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.4 miles from Barstow, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 68.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Barstow Road
Turn left onto South Barstow Road
Navigation decision point
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 15 / Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Merge onto I 15 / Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
62.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m 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 119
Toward Sierra Avenue
5
62.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
Sierra Avenue
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
68.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
Merrill Avenue
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.84 one way
$31.67 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $16.32 | $32.64 |
| premium | $6.18 | $16.76 | $33.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.21 | $30.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$16
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.23 | $3.31 |
| Efficient EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.03 | $2.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.6 | 0 | $9.65 | $4.41 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Fontana, CA
Late night in Fontana on Tuesday
Local time
3:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
SW 0 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live 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
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
25 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 18m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for most of this 68.9-mile route, with no highway segments contributing to the total mileage. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the profile suggests frequent changes in direction and speed. You'll be navigating local roads, including South Barstow Road and parts of the Barstow and Mojave Freeway, before moving onto CHP Officer Larry L. This means the drive will feel more like a series of connected city streets and less like an open highway experience. Be prepared for a dynamic driving environment with numerous intersections and potential traffic lights.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.3 mi on Barstow and Mojave Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Barstow and Mojave Freeway and Sierra Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Barstow Road.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 18m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Barstow Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 15 / Barstow and Mojave Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Barstow, CA
Full guide →Founded 1947
Barstow is a city of 24,000 people (2018) in the southern desert of the state of California. The city's location at the junction of Interstate 15 and Interstate 40 in the middle of a barren desert, as well as its position on the old Route 66, make it a frequent pit stop for travelers passing through on their way to more exotic destinations.
Top landmarks
- • Barstow Harvey House — train station in Barstow, California
- • Western America Railroad Museum — railroad museum in Barstow, 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 1h 18m. Total distance: 68.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.3 miles on Barstow and Mojave Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Barstow Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 15 / Barstow and Mojave Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fontana, CA before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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