Origin
Fontana, CA
Late night in Fontana on Tuesday
Local time
3:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fontana, CA to Monterey, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 8m
Distance
367.1 mi
591 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$84
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 57m
★
6 AM
7h 8m
8 AM
7h 30m
10 AM
7h 16m
12 PM
7h 14m
3 PM
7h 17m
5 PM
7h 29m
8 PM
7h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Monterey, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 367.1-mile journey from Fontana, CA to Monterey, CA is estimated to take about 7 hours and 8 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. You'll navigate a mix of highways, with 57% of the route utilizing freeway conditions, and experience a varied drive profile. With an estimated fuel cost of $84 and a plan for 2 stops, this trip offers a direct path along the Pacific Coast. While it can be completed in a single day, consider the duration if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The drive connects two points within California's diverse 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
183.6 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m 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 |
| Monterey Salinas Highway | 15.6 mi | 20m |
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 Monterey, 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
Turn left onto CA 68
0.6 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on CA 68
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Monterey Salinas Highway
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 401A
Toward Monterey
Use the slight right lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork
226 ft
·
7 sec
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on CA 1 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Fremont Street
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on Fremont Street
194 ft
·
5 sec
·
Fremont Street
34
Continue on Munras Avenue
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Munras Avenue
35
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Jefferson Street
36
Turn right onto Pacific Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pacific Street
37
Turn right onto West Franklin Street
324 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Franklin Street
38
Arrive at destination
West Franklin Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 8-minute drive from Fontana to Monterey, consider an early morning departure to avoid peak traffic. With only 2 recommended stops, plan them strategically to break up the 367.1 miles. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 94.5 miles on El Camino Real, so be sure to fuel up beforehand. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before this longer segment, as the estimated fuel cost is $84. This route is manageable in one day, offering flexibility for when you choose to depart and how you pace your breaks.
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 183.6 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 3h 28m 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 81 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.6 miles or 3h 28m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monterey, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fontana, CA
This is one driving day of about 367.1 miles and 7h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Fontana, 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 El Camino Real for about 94.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
184 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 183.6 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 295 decision points cluster between mile 45 and 366 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
365.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 4m in
Take the exit toward Monterey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 401A
Toward Monterey
7
366 mi into trip
|
~7h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$84.38 one way
$168.75 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
128 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $86.95 | $173.90 |
| premium | $6.18 | $89.27 | $178.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $81.05 | $162.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$84
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$109–$134
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.1 | 1 | $38.55 | $17.62 |
| Efficient EV | 91.8 | 1 | $32.12 | $14.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 146.8 | 1 | $51.39 | $23.49 |
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Destination
Monterey, CA
Late night in Monterey on Tuesday
Local time
3:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°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
7h 8m 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?
Expect a mixed driving experience on this 367.1-mile route, as 57% of it involves freeway travel. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on roads like the Foothill Freeway and Westside Freeway, interspersed with stretches of El Camino Real. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 94.5 miles on El Camino Real, indicating periods of less frequent exits and potentially more consistent speeds. This progression suggests a drive that starts with faster freeway sections and may transition to more local or historic road segments.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 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 around 45 miles in near I 210 / Foothill Freeway.
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 29 significant decision points across 367.1 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 45 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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 Monterey, 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 Monterey, CA
Full guide →Founded 1770
Monterey is a city (population 28,000 in 2018) in the Monterey County area of Monterey Bay in California. Monterey is one of the more beautiful coastal cities of California, and then a historic city can make for a great two-day trip for those visiting San Francisco or a weekend getaway for California natives. It has more historic buildings in its downtown than any other city west of Santa Fe, and a world-class aquarium.
Top landmarks
- • Monterey Bay Aquarium — nonprofit public aquarium in Monterey, California
- • Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo — historic church in California, United States
- • Old Customhouse — custom house in Monterey, United States of America
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 7h 8m. Total distance: 367.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 8m 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 Monterey, 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 45 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Monterey, 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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