This 99.5-mile drive from Camarillo, CA to Fontana, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in under two hours. With a projected fuel cost of around $23, it's an economical option for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You'll primarily be on the Ventura Freeway and the Foothill Freeway, with a brief stint on Sierra Avenue towards the end. This route stays within the Pacific Coast region, making for a consistent drive without drastic environmental changes. It's a practical choice for getting between these two Southern California locations efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.8 miles from Camarillo, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ventura Freeway
54.3 mi
1h 2m
Foothill Freeway
41.4 mi
47m
Sierra Avenue
3 mi
4m
East Ventura Boulevard
0.3 mi
1m
Merrill Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 54.3 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camarillo, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on East Ventura Boulevard
463 ft·23 sec·East Ventura Boulevard
2
Continue on East Ventura Boulevard
0.2 mi·41 sec·East Ventura Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
4
Merge onto US 101
40 mi·45 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 134
0.9 mi·1 min·Ventura Freeway
Toward CA 134 East: PasadenaUse the slight left lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.4 mi·1 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.0 mi·1 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.0 mi·1 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
2.2 mi·2 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
0.7 mi·51 sec·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
7.2 mi·8 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 210
18 mi·20 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi·3 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
16 mi·18 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 67Toward Sierra AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft·4 sec·Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 57-minute duration and 99.5-mile distance, this trip is perfect for a spontaneous day drive. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in the Los Angeles area. With no specific stops recommended, you can decide on breaks as needed, though the longest stretch without a significant road change is over 50 miles, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $23, and it's always wise to start with a full tank for a drive of this nature.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.8 miles from Camarillo, CA, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.3 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 22 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.8 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 34m
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 Camarillo, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Camarillo, CA
This is one driving day of about 99.5 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Camarillo, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ventura Freeway for about 54.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 49.8 miles from Camarillo, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 96.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in
Turn left toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
7
40.3 mi into trip|~47m in|CA 134 / Ventura Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 134 / Ventura Freeway toward CA 134 East: Pasadena
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward CA 134 East: Pasadena
6
41.2 mi into trip|~48m in|CA 134 / Ventura Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134 / Ventura Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
42.6 mi into trip|~50m in|CA 134 / Ventura Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134 / Ventura Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
96.2 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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
$22.87 one way
$45.74 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$23.57
$47.13
premium
$6.18
$24.20
$48.39
diesel
$5.61
$21.97
$43.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.8
0
$10.45
$4.78
Efficient EV
24.9
0
$8.71
$3.98
EV Truck/SUV
39.8
0
$13.93
$6.37
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Camarillo, CA
Morning
in Camarillo on Sunday
Local time
10:26 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 9:35AM PDT until April 15 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:37AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Destination
Fontana, CA
Morning
in Fontana on Sunday
Local time
10:26 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 9:35AM PDT until April 15 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:37AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
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
4 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 57m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a heavily highway-oriented experience on this trip, with 96% of the drive taking place on freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a solid 54.3 miles on the Ventura Freeway, offering extended periods of consistent speed. While largely a freeway cruise, the transition to Sierra Avenue near the end introduces a slight change in pace. The overall character is one of efficient travel, prioritizing getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.3 mi on Ventura Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ventura Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 99.5 miles you will encounter 19 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 0.3 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 40.3 miles (CA 134 / Ventura Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles (CA 134 / Ventura Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Camarillo is a city in Ventura County, approximately 54 miles (86 km) north of Los Angeles. Camarillo would be just one of the numerous small cities along the 101 Highway, if it weren't the host to one of the biggest outlet malls in Southern California.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 99.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.3 miles on Ventura Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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: at 0.3 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 40.3 miles (CA 134 / Ventura Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles (CA 134 / Ventura Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fontana, CA before heading back.
