Fontana, CA to Greenfield, CA is 314.3 miles and takes about 6h 3m via Foothill Freeway and El Camino Real, with a fuel budget near $75 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a direct path north. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it an efficient drive for getting from point A to point B. Plan for a straightforward transit with minimal scenic detours, ideal if you're looking to cover ground.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
157.1 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Foothill Freeway
67.2 mi
1h 17m
El Camino Real
61.6 mi
1h 11m
Westside Freeway
57.7 mi
1h 1m
I 5 Truck
37.1 mi
42m
Paso Robles Highway
32.3 mi
39m
CA 41
24.4 mi
28m
Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi
25m
Antelope Road
6.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Foothill Freeway
— 67.2 mi, about 1h 17m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 114 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,631 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,568
Quietest
2 AM
~325 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Greenfield, CA.
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
205 ft·6 sec·Merrill Avenue
2
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward CA 210 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto CA 210
15 mi·17 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
2.4 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
20 mi·23 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
26 mi·29 min·Foothill Freeway
Exit 26AToward I 210 West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 5 Truck
1.0 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
58 mi·1 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·27 sec
Exit 278Toward CA 46: Lost Hills, Paso RoblesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto CA 46
2.6 mi·4 min·Paso Robles Highway
18
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·19 sec·this road
19
Merge onto CA 46
30 mi·34 min·Paso Robles Highway
20
Continue on CA 46
6.8 mi·8 min·Antelope Road
21
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 41; CA 46
24 mi·28 min·CA 41; CA 46
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
23
Merge onto US 101
61 mi·1 hr 10 min·El Camino Real
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward Greenfield
25
Turn right onto El Camino Real
0.6 mi·1 min·El Camino Real
26
Turn left onto Oak Avenue
131 ft·3 sec·Oak Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Oak Avenue
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Fontana early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic. With a total duration of around 6 hours, this is a manageable one-day trip, but you'll want to keep moving to arrive before dark. The longest stretch without a major break is 67.2 miles, so plan a quick stop for fuel or a stretch before that point. Your estimated fuel cost is $75, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Fontana.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 157.1 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.2 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 69 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.1 miles or 3h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greenfield, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fontana, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fontana, CA
This is one driving day of about 314.3 miles and 6h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Fontana, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Foothill Freeway for about 67.2 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 187.8 — 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|Sierra Avenue
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
18.2 mi into trip|~22m in|CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
45 mi into trip|~53m in|I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward I 210 West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26A
Toward I 210 West: Sacramento
7
130.1 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
8
187.8 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward CA 46: Lost Hills, Paso Robles
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 278
Toward CA 46: Lost Hills, Paso Robles
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.76 one way
$131.51 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$68.29
$136.58
premium
$5.67
$70.10
$140.20
diesel
$4.80
$59.35
$118.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.3
1
$33.00
$15.09
Efficient EV
78.6
0
$27.50
$12.57
EV Truck/SUV
125.7
1
$44.00
$20.12
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Fontana, CA
Late night
in Fontana on Tuesday
Local time
2:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Greenfield, CA
Late night
in Greenfield on Tuesday
Local time
2:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
NW 5 to 16 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
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
6h 3m 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.
Pinnacles National Park
National Park
Around 23 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape that is now Pinnacles National Park. The remnants of these ancient eruptions have formed a striking terrain of rocky sp...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$30
near mile 314.3
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
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 75.9
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 130
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 66% of the 314.3 miles on freeways. The longest continuous stretch on a freeway is 67.2 miles along the Foothill Freeway. You'll transition from freeway cruising to surface streets, indicated by El Camino Real and Westside Freeway. Expect more frequent exits and potential urban merging as you get closer to your destination.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.2 mi on Foothill Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Foothill Freeway and El Camino Real. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Sierra Avenue.
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 23 significant decision points across 314.3 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 (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,816 ft284 ft
Total Climb
4,242 ft
Total Descent
5,189 ft
Highest Point
3,816 ft
~112.2 mi in
Elevation Range
3,532 ft
Notable High Points
3,816 ft at ~112.2 miles+1,808 ft prominence
1,563 ft at ~224.5 miles+662 ft prominence
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 Fontana, CA to Greenfield, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Paso Robles along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 3m. Total distance: 314.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.2 miles on Foothill Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Greenfield, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pinnacles National Park, 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Greenfield, CA before the return drive.
