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Trip from Fontana, CA to Marina, CA

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

Drive Time

6h 58m

Distance

358.8 mi

577 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$82

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 47m ★
6 AM
6h 59m
8 AM
7h 21m
10 AM
7h 7m
12 PM
7h 4m
3 PM
7h 8m
5 PM
7h 20m
8 PM
6h 52m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Fontana, CA, CA

Fontana, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Monterey County, California, United States

Marina, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking from Fontana, CA, to Marina, CA, covers 358.8 miles and is estimated to take around 6 hours and 58 minutes. This drive is best suited for a single day, making it a feasible day trip. You'll navigate primarily via local roads and the CA 210 West, also known as the Foothill Freeway, with a 0% highway share, indicating a more urban and turn-heavy experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is $83. Considering the route profile, it offers a consistent local driving experience throughout its entirety, connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region.

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

179.4 miles from Fontana, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
El Camino Real 94.5 mi 1h 49m
Foothill Freeway 67.2 mi 1h 17m
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: El Camino Real — 94.5 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Marina, 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 West Use 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 26A Toward I 210 West: Sacramento Use 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 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 27 sec
Exit 278 Toward CA 46: Lost Hills, Paso Robles Use 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

94 mi · 1 hr 49 min · El Camino Real
Use the straight lane.
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward Fairview Avenue
25

Turn left onto Fairview Avenue

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Fairview Avenue
26

Turn left onto South Sanborn Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Sanborn Road
Use the left lane.
27

Continue on East Blanco Road

1.6 mi · 1 min · East Blanco Road
Use the straight lane.
28

Continue on West Blanco Road

6.2 mi · 9 min · West Blanco Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Turn right onto CR G17

2.8 mi · 4 min · Reservation Road
30

Turn left onto Del Monte Boulevard

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Del Monte Boulevard
31

Turn slight left

120 ft · 6 sec
32

Turn left onto Carmel Avenue

192 ft · 10 sec · Carmel Avenue
33

Turn left

102 ft · 7 sec
34

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 358.8-mile journey, departing early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. Plan for at least one stop to break up the nearly 7-hour duration and refuel if necessary, as the $83 fuel cost suggests a significant amount of driving. Since this is a single-day trip, flexibility is key; adjust your departure and stop times based on real-time traffic conditions. A specific tip for this route: be mindful of speed limit changes as you transition between different local zones.

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 179.4 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.5 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 79 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 179.4 miles or 3h 24m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marina, 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 358.8 miles and 6h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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 El Camino Real for about 94.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city and county seat of Kern County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bakersfield, CA

179 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

Santa Clarita, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bakersfield, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 179.4 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before El Camino Real if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.5 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.

Best meal stop · first break window

Sweet Savory Cafe & Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

San Dimas, California

Near the start, short detour

First break · 30min in 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19093059738

Visit website

Rail Side Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

San Dimas, California

1.3 mi

The Red Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Glendora, California

2.9 mi

Sweet Savory Cafe & Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

San Dimas, California

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19093059738

Visit website

Rail Side Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

San Dimas, California

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19095998637

Visit website

The Red Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Glendora, California

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+16266916637

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Arvin, California

Hours: 4:30 am–11 pm

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Fontana, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Fontana, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Ardo, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Stevenson Ranch, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Fontana, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Marina, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Marina, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Fort Ord Dunes State Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Marina, California

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+18316492836

Visit website

San Lorenzo County Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

King City, California

Hours: 8 am–6:30 pm

+18317554895

Visit website

Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Valencia, California

+16612554100

Visit website

Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

King City, California

+18313858020

Visit website

NHRA Motorsports Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour

Pomona, California

Hours: Closed

+19096222133

Visit website

Casa Adobe de San Rafael and Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Glendale, California

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+18185482184

Visit website

Estrella Warbird Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

Final third 5 mi from route ~12 min detour

Paso Robles, California

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18052389317

Visit website

Carr Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Glendale, California

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18185482184

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 25

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

$82.47 one way

$164.93 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 126 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $84.98 $169.96
premium $6.18 $87.26 $174.51
diesel $5.61 $79.22 $158.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$82

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$107–$132

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 125.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 107.6 1 $37.67 $17.22
Efficient EV 89.7 1 $31.40 $14.35
EV Truck/SUV 143.5 1 $50.23 $22.96

Gas CO2

126 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (67% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Fontana, CA

Late night in Fontana on Tuesday

Local time

3:39 AM

PDT

Current temp

53°F

Mostly Clear

W 0 to 30 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 8:09PM PDT until April 17 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 8:09PM PDT until April 17 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Destination

Marina, CA

Late night in Marina on Tuesday

Local time

3:39 AM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

2 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 58m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be making frequent turns and navigating through various local streets rather than cruising on high-speed freeways. With a 0% highway share, expect a more engaging and stop-and-go driving experience. While there isn't a designated 'longest stretch' provided, the nature of a local drive suggests a continuous series of intersections and changes in speed limits. The road's personality will likely evolve as you move through different urban and suburban areas, requiring your full attention.

58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.5 mi on El Camino Real.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort 10/10

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 25 significant decision points across 358.8 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.

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 Marina, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Paso Robles along the way.

Paso Robles

187.8 mi in | ~3h 33m

About the Cities

Starting in Fontana, CA

Full guide →

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

Arriving in Marina, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1975

Marina is a city in Monterey County in California along the coast of the Monterey Bay.

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 6h 58m. Total distance: 358.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 58m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 94.5 miles on El Camino Real. 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 Marina, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Marina, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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