This 459.2-mile drive from Lincoln, CA to Fontana, CA will take approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes. Given the duration and distance, it's best suited for a two-day trip, allowing for a more relaxed pace and time to rest. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $106. The route is primarily highway-focused, making up 97% of the drive. You'll be sticking to major freeways for the majority of this trip connecting two points within California's Pacific Coast region.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
229.6 miles from Lincoln, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
296.3 mi
5h 19m
Foothill Freeway
67 mi
1h 17m
I 5 Truck
58.4 mi
1h 6m
Capital City Freeway
10.6 mi
11m
CA 65
7.4 mi
8m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7.1 mi
8m
Alan S. Hart Freeway
3.3 mi
3m
Sierra Avenue
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 296.3 mi, about 5h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on Lincoln Boulevard
2.1 mi·3 min·Lincoln Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward CA 65 South: Roseville
3
Merge onto CA 65
7.4 mi·8 min·CA 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 80 West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 80
3.3 mi·3 min·Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on I 80
7.1 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
4.9 mi·5 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 95Toward I 80 Business West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business
3.7 mi·4 min·Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
1.9 mi·2 min·Capital City Freeway
Toward US 50 East, I 80 West: South Lake Tahoe, San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5: Los Angeles, ReddingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 4AToward I 5 South: Los AngelesUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 5
59 mi·1 hr 5 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·17 sec
Exit 161AToward I 210 East: PasadenaUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on I 210
24 mi·28 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
19 mi·22 min·Foothill Freeway
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, VenturaUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi·3 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
16 mi·18 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 67Toward Sierra AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft·4 sec·Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 8-hour and 30-minute drive, consider splitting it over two days to avoid fatigue. Aim to start early to make the most of daylight, especially if you decide to tackle it in one go. With two planned stops, you can break up the 459.2 miles effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch is over 296 miles. Given the 97% highway share, plan your fueling and rest breaks around major exits to maximize efficiency.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 229.6 miles from Lincoln, CA, or about 4h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 296.3 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 101 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 229.6 miles or 4h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 229.6 miles or 4h 12m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fontana, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lincoln, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lincoln, CA
Aim for roughly 230 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fontana, CA
Aim for roughly 230 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 101 miles from Lincoln, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 296.3 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.4 and 413.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
20.4 mi into trip|~25m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 95
Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
8
29.1 mi into trip|~34m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward US 50 East, I 80 West: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 50 East, I 80 West: South Lake Tahoe,...
8
31 mi into trip|~37m in
Take the exit toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
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 4A
Toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
8
31.2 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
8
413.3 mi into trip|~7h 36m in|I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura
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, I 210 East: San Bernardino,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$105.54 one way
$211.09 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg161 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$108.76
$217.52
premium
$6.18
$111.67
$223.34
diesel
$5.61
$101.39
$202.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$106
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$236–$346
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 160.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
137.8
1
$48.22
$22.04
Efficient EV
114.8
1
$40.18
$18.37
EV Truck/SUV
183.7
2
$64.29
$29.39
Gas CO2
161 kg
EV CO2
54 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 20, 2026
Origin
Lincoln, CA
Morning
in Lincoln on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fontana, CA
Morning
in Fontana on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
19 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
8h 30m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 380
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 332.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive with 97% of the route on major freeways, including the Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 296.3 miles on the Westside Freeway, indicating a significant portion of the journey involves consistent highway speeds. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficient travel over long distances, rather than winding scenic byways. It’s a route designed for covering ground.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 296.3 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 around 20.4 miles in near I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway.
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 25 significant decision points across 459.2 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: at 20.4 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.1 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Lincoln, CA and Fontana, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco, Redding and Ventura.
The longest stretch is about 296.3 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 230 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 37 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Fontana, 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. There are 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.4 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.1 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 17.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fontana, CA before the return drive.
