Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
22m
Distance
12 mi
19 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Riverside, CA
Wikimedia Commons
This quick 12-mile drive from Fontana to Riverside, California, is easily manageable in about 22 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate local streets like Sierra Avenue, Mission Boulevard, and Magnolia Avenue, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost is a budget-friendly $3, and with no designated stops, you have the flexibility to explore as you go. This straightforward journey within the Pacific Coast region offers a convenient way to connect two nearby California locations without a significant time commitment.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra Avenue | 6 mi | 9m |
| Mission Boulevard | 2 mi | 3m |
| Magnolia Avenue | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| University Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Pacific Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Buena Vista Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Mission Inn Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Riverside, CA.
Start on Merrill Avenue
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
Continue on Pacific Avenue
Turn left onto CA 60 Business
Continue on CA 60 Business
Continue on CA 60 Business
Turn right onto Redwood Drive
Continue on University Avenue
Turn right onto Market Street
Continue on Magnolia Avenue
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Turn sharp right
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 12 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto CA 60 Business / Mission Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Redwood Drive
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn sharp right
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Regular Gas
$2.76 one way
$5.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $2.84 | $5.68 |
| premium | $6.18 | $2.92 | $5.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.65 | $5.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.26 | $0.58 |
| Efficient EV | 3 | 0 | $1.05 | $0.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.8 | 0 | $1.68 | $0.77 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Fontana on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in Riverside on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this short hop between Fontana and Riverside. With zero highway share, you'll be navigating city streets for the entire 12 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 6 miles along Sierra Avenue. This route's personality is defined by frequent intersections and changes in direction, rather than long, sweeping vistas. It's a drive that requires your attention to local traffic patterns and signals.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Sierra Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 22m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (CA 60 Business / Mission Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles (Redwood Drive): Navigation decision point.
Fontana is a city in San Bernardino County in Southern California.
Founded 1870
Riverside is a city in Riverside County in California. With a population of over 300,000, the city plays host to a diverse cross-section of people and has a rich history. Riverside is approximately 55 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. It is a center for higher education, with one community college, a large state university, and two private universities. A hub of regional commerce and transportation, it is a city with an intriguing past and a promising future, and is worth a visit.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 22m. Total distance: 12 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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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