Stretching 109.5 miles across the Pacific Coast region, this drive from Fontana to Oxnard is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes. Because of the manageable distance and duration, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the distance, making it a cost-effective excursion. Relying on a combination of the Foothill Freeway, Sierra Avenue, and the Ventura Freeway, the path remains consistent and highly practical. Whether you are heading toward the coast for business or leisure, this route provides a direct connection between the two cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.7 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ventura Freeway
59.5 mi
1h 8m
Foothill Freeway
41.6 mi
48m
Sierra Avenue
3 mi
4m
East 5th Street
2 mi
3m
North Rice Avenue
1.8 mi
2m
Santa Clara Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Merrill Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 59.5 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Oxnard, 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 left at fork onto CA 134
6.4 mi·7 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.1 mi·1 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
0.5 mi·36 sec·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
Toward I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles, SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
323 ft·4 sec
Toward I 5 North, CA 134 West: Golden State Freeway, Sacramento, Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo DriveUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
Toward CA 134: VenturaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto CA 134
0.6 mi·43 sec·Ventura Freeway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.9 mi·2 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
0.8 mi·52 sec·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
48 mi·55 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 60Toward Santa Clara Avenue, Rice AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto Santa Clara Avenue
0.2 mi·13 sec·Santa Clara Avenue
23
Continue on North Rice Avenue
1.8 mi·2 min·North Rice Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto East 5th Street
2.0 mi·3 min·East 5th Street
Use the right lane.
25
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 10 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling for this day trip. To avoid the heaviest congestion common on these major freeways, try to time your departure outside of peak morning and evening commute windows. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily handle the entire 109.5-mile stretch in one go, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise before merging onto the longer freeway segments. A great way to maximize your comfort is to fill up your tank near the start in Fontana to ensure you have the full $25 budget's worth of fuel ready for the duration of the drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.7 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.5 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.7 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oxnard, 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 109.5 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Fontana, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ventura Freeway for about 59.5 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 105.3 — 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.
7
53 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles, Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles,...
9
53.4 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
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: Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Z...
8
53.6 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 134: Ventura
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 134: Ventura
8
105.3 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward Santa Clara Avenue, Rice Avenue
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 60
Toward Santa Clara Avenue, Rice Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.17 one way
$50.34 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$25.94
$51.87
premium
$6.18
$26.63
$53.26
diesel
$5.61
$24.18
$48.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.9
0
$11.50
$5.26
Efficient EV
27.4
0
$9.58
$4.38
EV Truck/SUV
43.8
0
$15.33
$7.01
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Fontana, CA
Morning
in Fontana on Sunday
Local time
10:26 AM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oxnard, CA
Morning
in Oxnard on Sunday
Local time
10:26 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°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
10 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
2h 10m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused highway experience, as 92% of this 109.5-mile journey takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating the Ventura Freeway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 59.5 miles. While the route begins with local transitions via Sierra Avenue and the Foothill Freeway, the character of the drive quickly shifts to a high-speed interstate pace. It is a functional, highway-heavy path designed for efficiency rather than winding backroads. Prepare for a steady, consistent rhythm behind the wheel as you transition between these major California arteries.
92% 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: 59.5 mi on Ventura Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ventura Freeway 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 Effort9/10
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 22 significant decision points across 109.5 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 53 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.4 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 Fontana, CA and Oxnard, CA, road signs point toward Los Angeles, Sacramento and Ventura.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 109.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.5 miles on Ventura Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Oxnard, 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. 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 53 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Oxnard, CA before heading back.
