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Trip from Fontana, CA to Redwood City, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 42m

Distance

407.6 mi

656 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$94

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
7h 33m ★
6 AM
7h 43m
8 AM
8h 2m
10 AM
7h 49m
12 PM
7h 48m
3 PM
7h 50m
5 PM
8h 1m
8 PM
7h 37m

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

Downtown Redwood City, CA, CA

Redwood City, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

This 407.6-mile journey from Fontana, California, to Redwood City, California, is a substantial drive that can be accomplished in a single day, taking approximately 7 hours and 42 minutes. It's a highway-focused trip, with 99% of the drive on major roads, making it efficient for covering distance. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $94. While it's feasible to do in one go, you'll want to plan for at least two stops to break up the longest stretch. This route primarily stays within the Pacific Coast region, offering a direct path up the state.

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

203.8 miles from Fontana, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 182.5 mi 3h 15m
Foothill Freeway 67.2 mi 1h 17m
CA 152 41.1 mi 51m
I 5 Truck 37.1 mi 42m
US 101 31.6 mi 36m
Golden State Freeway 22.3 mi 25m
South Valley Freeway 19.9 mi 22m
Sierra Avenue 3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 182.5 mi, about 3h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Redwood City, 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

183 mi · 3 hr 15 min · Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 403B Toward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
17

Continue on CA 152; CA33

29 mi · 33 min · CA 152; CA33
Use the straight lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152

12 mi · 16 min · CA 152
19

Take the exit onto CA 152

0.5 mi · 1 min · CA 152
Toward US 101 North: San Jose
20

Merge onto US 101; CA 152

20 mi · 22 min · South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
21

Keep slight left at fork onto US 101

22 mi · 25 min · US 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork onto US 101

9.7 mi · 11 min · US 101
Use the slight left lane.
23

Take the exit onto CA 84

0.2 mi · 22 sec · CA 84
Exit 408 Toward CA 84 West Use the slight right lane.
24

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward CA 84 West: Woodside Road Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25

Merge onto CA 84

171 ft · 7 sec · Woodside Road
26

Turn right onto Veterans Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · Veterans Boulevard
Use the right lane.
27

Turn left onto Brewster Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Brewster Avenue
Use the left / uturn lanes.
28

Turn left

477 ft · 20 sec
29

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour, 42-minute duration, starting your drive early in the morning is highly recommended to avoid significant traffic, especially as you depart Fontana. With a 99% highway share, plan your two stops strategically to coincide with your longest stretch of 182.5 miles on the Westside Freeway. Be mindful of the $94 fuel cost and ensure your tank is full before departing, as service areas might be spaced out. Consider downloading offline maps, as cell service can be spotty on longer highway segments.

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 203.8 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 3h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.5 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 90 miles or 1h 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 203.8 miles or 3h 50m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Redwood City, 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 407.6 miles and 7h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 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 Westside Freeway for about 182.5 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

204 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 90 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fresno, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 203.8 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 Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 182.5 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 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 405.7 — 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.
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
7
405.5 mi into trip | ~7h 38m in | CA 84

Take the exit onto CA 84 toward CA 84 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 408 Toward CA 84 West
7
405.7 mi into trip | ~7h 38m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CA 84 West: Woodside Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward CA 84 West: Woodside Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$93.68 one way

$187.37 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 143 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $96.54 $193.08
premium $6.18 $99.12 $198.25
diesel $5.61 $89.99 $179.99

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$94

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$119–$144

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 142.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 122.3 1 $42.80 $19.56
Efficient EV 101.9 1 $35.67 $16.30
EV Truck/SUV 163 2 $57.06 $26.09

Gas CO2

143 kg

EV CO2

48 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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Fontana, CA

Morning in Fontana on Sunday

Local time

7:22 AM

PDT

Current temp

52°F

Mostly Clear

NW 0 to 30 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:33PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:33PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Destination

Redwood City, CA

Morning in Redwood City on Sunday

Local time

7:22 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

14 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 42m 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 largely highway-focused drive, with 99% of the 407.6 miles on major roadways like the Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. The route prioritizes speed and efficiency, allowing you to cover ground quickly. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is an impressive 182.5 miles, so be prepared for extended periods on the freeway. While primarily a highway experience, the use of CA 152 suggests a transition that might offer a slight change of pace as you near your destination.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.5 mi on Westside Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside 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 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 26 significant decision points across 407.6 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 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.

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 Redwood City, CA, road signs point toward Hollister and San Jose.

Hollister

312.7 mi in | ~5h 47m

San Jose

312.7 mi in | ~5h 47m

About the Cities

Starting in Fontana, CA

Full guide →

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

Arriving in Redwood City, CA

Full guide →

Redwood City is on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.

Top landmarks

  • • Lathrop House — Historic building in Redwood City, California constructed by Benjamin Gordon Lat...
  • • Fox Theatre — movie theater in Redwood City, California, United States
  • • Sequoia High School — high school in Redwood City, San Mateo County, California, USA

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 42m. Total distance: 407.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 42m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 182.5 miles on Westside Freeway. 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 Redwood City, 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: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Redwood City, 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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