This 415.2-mile drive from Concord, CA to Fontana, CA is a substantial journey that can be tackled in a single day, though it will take approximately 7 hours and 43 minutes of driving. With a 94% highway share, expect a direct, highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $95, and the route involves 2 planned stops. Given its length and highway nature, it’s a practical option for those looking to cover ground efficiently between the Pacific Coast regions of California.
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
207.6 miles from Concord, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 48m 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
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
19.2 mi
22m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Donald D Doyle Highway
14.8 mi
17m
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
4.8 mi
5m
Sierra Avenue
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on Willow Pass Road
143 ft·8 sec·Willow Pass Road
2
Turn left onto East Street
423 ft·25 sec·East Street
3
Turn left onto Salvio Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·Salvio Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Concord Avenue
0.4 mi·54 sec·Concord Avenue
5
Continue on Concord Avenue
0.1 mi·13 sec·Concord Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward CA 242 SouthUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto CA 242
1.7 mi·1 min·CA 242
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 680
4.8 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi·1 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
13 mi·15 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 30AToward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 580: StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 580
1.4 mi·1 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
18
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·17 sec
Exit 161AToward I 210 East: PasadenaUse the slight right lane.
22
Continue on I 210
24 mi·28 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi·3 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
16 mi·18 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 67Toward Sierra AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
31
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft·4 sec·Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 43-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Concord to bypass potential morning commute congestion. With 2 stops recommended, plan to break up the 415.2 miles strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit could be a considerable distance. Given the $95 fuel cost, budgeting accordingly is key. This is a drive best suited for focusing on getting to your destination efficiently, so pack snacks and entertainment for the extended highway stretches.
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 207.6 miles from Concord, CA, or about 3h 48m 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 91 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 207.6 miles or 3h 48m 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 32m
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 Concord, 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 Concord, CA
This is one driving day of about 415.2 miles and 7h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Concord, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 369.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Salvio Street
Turn left onto Salvio Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
22.5 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
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.
Exit 30A
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
22.7 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
7
23.4 mi into trip|~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580: Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580: Stockton
8
369.4 mi into trip|~6h 48m 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,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$95.43 one way
$190.86 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$98.34
$196.68
premium
$6.18
$100.97
$201.94
diesel
$5.61
$91.67
$183.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$95
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$120–$145
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
124.6
1
$43.60
$19.93
Efficient EV
103.8
1
$36.33
$16.61
EV Truck/SUV
166.1
2
$58.13
$26.57
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
49 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
Concord, CA
Afternoon
in Concord on Sunday
Local time
3:38 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fontana, CA
Afternoon
in Fontana on Sunday
Local time
3:38 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Clear
N 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 7:10PM 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.
Temperature spread
14 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 43m 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
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...
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...
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 343.6
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 14.3
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
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 286.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey taking place on major roadways like the Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, offering a consistent pace for much of the trip. While largely a straightforward interstate experience, be prepared for the potential for traffic, especially as you approach urban areas. The I 5 Truck designation also indicates sections designed for heavier vehicles, suggesting a generally well-maintained, albeit sometimes monotonous, driving environment.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 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?
10/10
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 around 0.1 miles in near Salvio Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 27 significant decision points across 415.2 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: at 0.1 miles (Salvio Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Concord, CA and Fontana, CA, road signs point toward Stockton and Ventura.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 43m. Total distance: 415.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 43m 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: at 0.1 miles (Salvio Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 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.
