Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Fontana, CA to Riverbank, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 2m

Distance

364.4 mi

586 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$84

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 51m ★
6 AM
7h 2m
8 AM
7h 25m
10 AM
7h 10m
12 PM
7h 8m
3 PM
7h 11m
5 PM
7h 24m
8 PM
6h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Fontana, CA, CA

Fontana, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Stanislaus County, California, United States

Riverbank, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 364.4-mile drive from Fontana, CA, to Riverbank, CA, is a significant journey that will take approximately 7 hours and 2 minutes to complete. Designed as a highway-focused trip, you'll spend about 65% of your time on major freeways. With a projected fuel cost of $84, this route is best tackled in a single day, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. The drive predominantly utilizes the Golden State Highway, Foothill Freeway, and Golden State Freeway, offering a direct path through California's Pacific Coast region. Plan for around 2 stops along the way to break up the journey.

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

182.2 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
Golden State Highway 111.4 mi 2h
Foothill Freeway 67.2 mi 1h 17m
Golden State Freeway 55.6 mi 1h 1m
Northbound California State Route 99 54.5 mi 1h 3m
I 5 Truck 37.1 mi 42m
CA 99 21.4 mi 24m
Mitchell Road 4.7 mi 9m
Roselle Avenue 4.6 mi 8m
Longest stretch: Golden State Highway — 111.4 mi, about 2h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Riverbank, 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 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 144 Toward Avenue 7 Use 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

55 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Northbound California State Route 99
Toward CA 99 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Mitchell Road
22

Turn straight onto Mitchell Road

4.7 mi · 9 min · Mitchell Road
23

Continue on El Vista Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · El Vista Avenue
24

Continue on Oakdale Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Oakdale Road
25

Turn right onto East Briggsmore Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Briggsmore Avenue
26

Turn left onto Roselle Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · Roselle Avenue
27

Enter roundabout onto Roselle Avenue

142 ft · 2 sec · Roselle Avenue
28

Continue on Roselle Avenue

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Roselle Avenue
29

Enter roundabout onto Roselle Avenue

113 ft · 2 sec · Roselle Avenue
30

Continue on Roselle Avenue

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Roselle Avenue
31

Enter roundabout onto Roselle Avenue

132 ft · 2 sec · Roselle Avenue
32

Continue on Roselle Avenue

3.0 mi · 5 min · Roselle Avenue
33

Turn right onto Patterson Road

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Patterson Road
34

Turn left onto 3rd Street

0.2 mi · 55 sec · 3rd Street
35

Turn right onto Santa Fe Street

64 ft · 2 sec · Santa Fe Street
36

Arrive at destination

Santa Fe Street

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour duration, an early morning departure from Fontana is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic as you approach Riverbank. With 2 planned stops, aim to break up the 364.4 miles roughly in half, perhaps around the 3-4 hour mark. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest 111.4-mile stretch on the Golden State Highway, as services can sometimes be spaced out on these longer highway segments. This highway-focused drive means you can cover a lot of ground efficiently, but ensure you're well-rested before you begin.

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 182.2 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 3h 28m 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 182.2 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 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverbank, 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 364.4 miles and 7h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 Golden State Highway for about 111.4 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

182 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bakersfield, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 182.2 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 Golden State Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Sweet Savory Cafe & Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

San Dimas, California

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19093059738

Visit website

Rail Side Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

San Dimas, California

1.6 mi

The Red Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Glendora, California

2.5 mi

Sweet Savory Cafe & Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26

San Dimas, California

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19093059738

Visit website

Rail Side Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26

San Dimas, California

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19095998637

Visit website

The Red Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26

Glendora, California

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+16266916637

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Fontana, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 286.3

Madera, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Fontana, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Fontana, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 130.1

Arvin, California

Hours: 4:30 am–11 pm

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 286.3

Madera, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663003827

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 78.1

Stevenson Ranch, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 260.3

Fresno, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 78.1

Valencia, California

+16612554100

Visit website

Casa Adobe de San Rafael and Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 52.1

Glendale, California

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+18185482184

Visit website

NHRA Motorsports Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 26

Pomona, California

Hours: Closed

+19096222133

Visit website

The Park at River Walk

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 156.2

Bakersfield, California

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+16613263866

Visit website

Carr Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 52.1

Glendale, California

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18185482184

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 26

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

$83.75 one way

$167.51 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 128 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $86.31 $172.62
premium $6.18 $88.62 $177.24
diesel $5.61 $80.45 $160.91

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: 127.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 109.3 1 $38.26 $17.49
Efficient EV 91.1 1 $31.88 $14.58
EV Truck/SUV 145.8 1 $51.02 $23.32

Gas CO2

127 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Fontana, CA

Evening in Fontana on Sunday

Local time

8:28 PM

PDT

Current temp

77°F

Sunny

N 20 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Riverbank, CA

Evening in Riverbank on Sunday

Local time

8:28 PM

PDT

Current temp

71°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

6 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 2m 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

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...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 75.4
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

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 ~63 min detour Free near mile 138.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 7-hour trip, with 65% of the drive on major freeways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 111.4 miles along the Golden State Highway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While primarily a freeway run, the route offers a consistent pace for covering ground efficiently. The character remains largely that of a high-speed transit corridor, connecting you from one point to another with minimal deviation from major arteries.

65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 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 Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 364.4 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.

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 Riverbank, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Avenue 7 along the way.

Avenue 7

274.9 mi in | ~5h 8m

About the Cities

Starting in Fontana, CA

Full guide →

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

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 2m. Total distance: 364.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 2m 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.

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 Riverbank, 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 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 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Riverbank, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Riverbank, CA

San Bernardino, CA 371.6 mi · 7h 9m Los Angeles, CA 318.5 mi · 6h 9m Bakersfield, CA 209.2 mi · 4h 3m Fresno, CA 102.2 mi · 2h 9m

More from Fontana, CA

Arcata, CA 696.7 mi · 13h 28m Shasta Lake, CA 596.3 mi · 10h 56m Anderson, CA 577.9 mi · 10h 35m Susanville, CA 533.6 mi · 10h 53m Ukiah, CA 533.1 mi · 10h 2m Windsor, CA 483.1 mi · 9h 2m

More trips to Riverbank, CA

Santa Ana, CA 350.8 mi Laguna, CA 66.5 mi
Escape planner: Fontana, CA Scenic drives in CA

Explore more options from Fontana, CA or browse trips ending in Riverbank, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.