McKinleyville to Fontana is 728.9 miles and takes about 13h 36m via Westside Freeway and CA 299, with a fuel budget near $161 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive crosses California, starting in the Pacific Coast region and ending in the same region. Given its length, this route is best tackled over two days. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward, if lengthy, trip.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
364.4 miles from McKinleyville, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
424.9 mi
7h 38m
CA 299
134.3 mi
2h 37m
Foothill Freeway
67 mi
1h 17m
I 5 Truck
58.4 mi
1h 6m
Cascade Wonderland Highway
31.8 mi
34m
Sierra Avenue
3 mi
4m
North Bank Road
2.1 mi
3m
Central Avenue
2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 424.9 mi, about 7h 38m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 554 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,708 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,643
Quietest
2 AM
~359 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 96 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McKinleyville, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on this road
178 ft·16 sec·this road
2
Turn left
63 ft·9 sec
3
Turn left
261 ft·24 sec
4
Turn left onto US 101 BUS
1.6 mi·3 min·Central Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101 BUS
0.4 mi·42 sec·Central Avenue
6
Turn left onto CA 200
2.1 mi·3 min·North Bank Road
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto CA 299
134 mi·2 hr 37 min·CA 299
9
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Court Street
10
Turn left onto Tehama Street
1.6 mi·2 min·Tehama Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 2AToward I 5 South: SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 5
32 mi·34 min·Cascade Wonderland Highway
13
Continue on I 5
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Westside Freeway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi·16 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
79 mi·1 hr 27 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·17 sec
Exit 161AToward I 210 East: PasadenaUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 210
24 mi·28 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi·3 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
16 mi·18 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 67Toward Sierra AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
30
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft·4 sec·Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
31
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 13-hour drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight. Plan for around 3 stops to refuel and stretch your legs, spacing them out over the 728.9 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel level, especially as you approach the 424.9-mile mark on the Westside Freeway, as services can become more spread out in certain sections.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 364.4 miles from McKinleyville, CA, or about 6h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 424.9 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 160 miles or 3h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 364.4 miles or 6h 54m 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 364.4 miles or 6h 54m
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 12h 25m
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 McKinleyville, 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 McKinleyville, CA
Aim for roughly 364 miles and 6.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fontana, CA
Aim for roughly 364 miles and 6.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 160 miles from McKinleyville, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 424.9 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 139.1 and 725.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
139.1 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|Tehama Street
Turn left onto Tehama Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
140.7 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2A
Toward I 5 South: Sacramento
7
658.3 mi into trip|~12h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 210 East: Pasadena
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 161A
Toward I 210 East: Pasadena
8
683 mi into trip|~12h 42m 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,...
7
725.5 mi into trip|~13h 31m in
Take the exit toward Sierra Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 67
Toward Sierra Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$178.38 one way
$356.76 round trip
$6.22/gal25.4 MPG avg255 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.40
$183.69
$367.38
premium
$6.57
$188.42
$376.85
diesel
$6.18
$177.32
$354.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$178
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$308–$418
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 255 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $77 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
218.7
2
$76.53
$34.99
Efficient EV
182.2
2
$63.78
$29.16
EV Truck/SUV
291.6
3
$102.05
$46.65
Gas CO2
255 kg
EV CO2
85 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
McKinleyville, CA
Afternoon
in McKinleyville on Monday
Local time
12:45 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°F
Cloudy
E 3 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 1:23AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:31PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Fontana, CA
Afternoon
in Fontana on Monday
Local time
12:45 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 1:23AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:31PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
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
23 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
13h 36m 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.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear waters are iconic, but this 42,000-acre National Recreation Area offers much more. Explore waterfalls, hike rugged trails, uncover Gold Rush history, and witness the r...
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 653.5
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...
29 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 603.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 94% of the 728.9 miles on freeways like the Westside Freeway and CA 299. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 424.9 miles on the Westside Freeway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate these major arteries for the majority of your trip.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 424.9 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 299. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 139.1 miles in near Tehama Street.
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 26 significant decision points across 728.9 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 139.1 miles (Tehama Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 140.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 658.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,885 ft18 ft
Total Climb
4,659 ft
Total Descent
3,566 ft
Highest Point
2,885 ft
~624.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,868 ft
Notable High Points
1,685 ft at ~104.1 miles+651 ft prominence
2,885 ft at ~624.7 miles+1,545 ft prominence
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 McKinleyville, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
The longest stretch is about 424.9 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 364 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 63 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 63 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 139.1 miles (Tehama Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 140.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 658.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 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 13.6 hours each way, a round trip means 27.2 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.
