This 72-mile drive from Fontana to Palos Verdes Estates typically takes about 1 hour and 31 minutes, making it a manageable day trip. You'll primarily be on the San Bernardino Freeway and the San Gabriel River Freeway, with the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes also part of the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of around $17, this highway-focused route offers a straightforward transit across Southern California. The journey is entirely within California, moving from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast. This route is well-suited for a single day of travel without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
San Bernardino Freeway
23.5 mi
27m
San Gabriel River Freeway
14.6 mi
16m
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9.3 mi
9m
Gardena Freeway
5.5 mi
6m
Artesia Freeway
5.2 mi
6m
Crenshaw Boulevard
3.5 mi
5m
Sepulveda Boulevard
2.4 mi
3m
Palos Verdes Boulevard
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
San Bernardino Freeway
— 23.5 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Palos Verdes Estates, CA.
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
205 ft·9 sec·Merrill Avenue
2
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 10 West: Los AngelesUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 10
5.8 mi·6 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
9.3 mi·9 min·I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.9 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.3 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.5 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.3 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 31AToward I 605: San Gabriel River FreewayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 605 South: San BernardinoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 605
15 mi·16 min·San Gabriel River Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
527 ft·12 sec
Exit 7AToward CA 91 East, CA 91 West: Artesia FreewayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward CA 91 West: Artesia Freeway WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto CA 91
5.2 mi·6 min·Artesia Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on CA 91
5.5 mi·6 min·Gardena Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on West Artesia Boulevard
2.0 mi·3 min·West Artesia Boulevard
26
Turn left onto Crenshaw Boulevard
3.5 mi·5 min·Crenshaw Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto Sepulveda Boulevard
2.4 mi·3 min·Sepulveda Boulevard
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto Palos Verdes Boulevard
2.2 mi·4 min·Palos Verdes Boulevard
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on Palos Verdes Drive West
0.2 mi·25 sec·Palos Verdes Drive West
30
Keep slight right at fork onto Palos Verdes Drive West
0.3 mi·31 sec·Palos Verdes Drive West
Toward Palos Verded Drive West
31
Turn right onto Via Corta
390 ft·12 sec·Via Corta
32
Continue on Via Almar
506 ft·14 sec·Via Almar
33
Arrive at destination
Via Almar
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 31-minute duration, leaving Fontana during off-peak hours is your best bet to avoid significant traffic delays. Since this is a relatively short trip with no designated stops in the data, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed for breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $17, and it's always wise to top off before heading out. A practical tip for this route: familiarize yourself with the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes beforehand if you plan to use them, as they have specific access points and toll requirements.
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 36 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.5 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 16 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36 miles or 42m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palos Verdes Estates, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fontana, CA
This is one driving day of about 72 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Fontana, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on San Bernardino Freeway for about 23.5 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 50.1 — 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 left onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
34.8 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward I 605: San Gabriel River Freeway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31A
Toward I 605: San Gabriel River Freeway
7
35 mi into trip|~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 605 South: San Bernardino
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 605 South: San Bernardino
8
50 mi into trip|~58m in
Take the exit toward CA 91 East, CA 91 West: Artesia Freeway
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 7A
Toward CA 91 East, CA 91 West: Artesia Freeway
7
50.1 mi into trip|~58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 91 West: Artesia Freeway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 91 West: Artesia Freeway West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.55 one way
$33.10 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$17.05
$34.11
premium
$6.18
$17.51
$35.02
diesel
$5.61
$15.90
$31.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.6
0
$7.56
$3.46
Efficient EV
18
0
$6.30
$2.88
EV Truck/SUV
28.8
0
$10.08
$4.61
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Late night
in Fontana on Sunday
Local time
4:34 AM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Late night
in Palos Verdes Estates on Sunday
Local time
4:34 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
1h 31m 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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 69.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an 81% highway-focused experience on this drive. The majority of your time will be spent on well-maintained freeways, which can offer a smooth and efficient journey. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 23.5 miles on the San Bernardino Freeway, allowing for a good period of consistent travel. While largely a freeway transit, be aware of potential traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The road character remains consistent with its highway profile for most of the trip.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.5 mi on San Bernardino Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Bernardino Freeway and San Gabriel River 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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72 miles you will encounter 27 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 35 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 72 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 23.5 miles on San Bernardino 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 Palos Verdes Estates, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 35 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Palos Verdes Estates, CA before heading back.
