Fontana, CA to Modesto, CA is 357.5 miles and takes about 6h 45m via Golden State Highway, Foothill Freeway, and Northbound California State Route 99, with a fuel budget near $82 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that stays within California's Pacific Coast region for its entirety. You'll be spending most of your time on major freeways and highways, making it a practical choice for a quick trip. Consider this route if you need to get from Southern California to the Central Valley efficiently, as it prioritizes direct travel over scenic detours.
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
178.7 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
Golden State Highway
111.4 mi
2h
Foothill Freeway
67.2 mi
1h 17m
Northbound California State Route 99
59.9 mi
1h 10m
Golden State Freeway
55.6 mi
1h 1m
I 5 Truck
37.1 mi
42m
CA 99
21.4 mi
24m
Sierra Avenue
3 mi
4m
G Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Golden State Highway
— 111.4 mi, about 2h
Traffic on I-210
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 51 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,325 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~643 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 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 Modesto, 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 left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi·30 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
6.0 mi·6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on CA 99
111 mi·2 hr·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·30 sec
Exit 144Toward Avenue 7Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto CA 99
21 mi·24 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99
60 mi·1 hr 10 min·Northbound California State Route 99
Toward CA 99Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward 6th Street, G Street
22
Continue on 6th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·6th Street
23
Turn right onto G Street
0.4 mi·1 min·G Street
24
Turn left onto 11th Street
400 ft·17 sec·11th Street
25
Arrive at destination
11th Street
Trip Plan
For this 6h 45m drive, leaving Fontana in the morning is your best bet to avoid afternoon traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to pace yourself; however, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel. With 111.4 miles being the longest stretch on the Golden State Highway, consider a break around that point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $82, and it's always wise to fill up before hitting longer, potentially less serviced sections of highway.
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 178.7 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.4 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 79 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.7 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Modesto, 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 357.5 miles and 6h 45m.
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 Golden State Highway for about 111.4 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 296.8 — 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
274.9 mi into trip|~5h 8m in
Take the exit toward Avenue 7
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 144
Toward Avenue 7
7
296.8 mi into trip|~5h 32m in|CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99 toward CA 99
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.79 one way
$149.59 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$77.68
$155.36
premium
$5.67
$79.73
$159.47
diesel
$4.80
$67.50
$135.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$75
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.3
1
$37.54
$17.16
Efficient EV
89.4
1
$31.28
$14.30
EV Truck/SUV
143
1
$50.05
$22.88
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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
Morning
in Fontana on Sunday
Local time
10:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
0 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
Modesto, CA
Morning
in Modesto on Sunday
Local time
10:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
NNW 5 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
9 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 45m 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.
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...
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...
25 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 135.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 67% highway, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on high-speed roads. The longest stretch without a significant break is 111.4 miles on the Golden State Highway. You'll transition from freeways to surface roads at some point, but the bulk of the drive involves cruising on major thoroughfares. Expect frequent exits and potential for urban merging as you navigate through various populated areas.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.4 mi on Golden State Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Highway and Foothill Freeway. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 357.5 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
Gently rolling terrain
2,852 ft88 ft
Total Climb
1,978 ft
Total Descent
3,124 ft
Highest Point
2,852 ft
~102.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,764 ft
Notable High Points
2,852 ft at ~102.1 miles+1,525 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 Modesto, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Avenue 7 along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 45m. Total distance: 357.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 45m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.4 miles on Golden State Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Modesto, 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 32 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 — 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 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Modesto, CA before the return drive.
