Oakdale, CA to Fontana, CA is 362.8 miles and takes about 6h 59m via CA 99 and the Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $82 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a mostly highway experience. You'll be covering a significant distance, so be prepared for a full day of driving. It's a straightforward trip for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently, with plenty of opportunities to refuel and rest along the way.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
181.4 miles from Oakdale, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 99
115.8 mi
2h 9m
Golden State Freeway
92.8 mi
1h 44m
Foothill Freeway
67 mi
1h 17m
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi
1h 2m
Albers Road
7.7 mi
11m
Santa Fe Avenue
6.2 mi
9m
North Vincent Road
4.6 mi
8m
Geer Road
4.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 115.8 mi, about 2h 9m
Traffic on I-210
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 102 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,319 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~674 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 89 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 Oakdale, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on CA 108
33 ft·3 sec·East F Street
2
Turn right onto J9; J14
1.4 mi·2 min·South Yosemite Avenue
3
Continue on J9; J14
7.7 mi·11 min·Albers Road
4
Continue on J14
4.4 mi·6 min·Geer Road
5
Turn slight left onto J7
6.2 mi·9 min·Santa Fe Avenue
6
Turn right onto North Vincent Road
4.6 mi·8 min·North Vincent Road
7
Turn right onto Shanks Road
0.4 mi·54 sec·Shanks Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
9
Merge onto CA 99
75 mi·1 hr 25 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi·44 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi·30 min·Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·17 sec
Exit 161AToward I 210 East: PasadenaUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on I 210
24 mi·28 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi·3 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
16 mi·18 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 67Toward Sierra AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft·4 sec·Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 59m estimated drive time, leaving Oakdale in the morning is recommended to make the most of daylight. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel; the $82 fuel cost should cover your needs if you start with a full tank. Keep an eye on traffic, especially around the Los Angeles metropolitan area, as congestion can significantly impact your travel time. The route's efficiency means you have flexibility, but a mid-drive break is still crucial for staying alert.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 181.4 miles from Oakdale, CA, or about 3h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.8 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.4 miles or 3h 32m 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 48m
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 Oakdale, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Oakdale, CA
This is one driving day of about 362.8 miles and 6h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Oakdale, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on CA 99 for about 115.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 99.9 and 359.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
99.9 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
204.6 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
7
292.3 mi into trip|~5h 36m 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
316.9 mi into trip|~6h 5m 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
359.5 mi into trip|~6h 53m 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
$87.77 one way
$175.54 round trip
$6.15/gal25.4 MPG avg127 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.34
$90.54
$181.09
premium
$6.50
$92.79
$185.57
diesel
$6.28
$89.64
$179.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$88
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$113–$138
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.8
1
$38.09
$17.41
Efficient EV
90.7
1
$31.75
$14.51
EV Truck/SUV
145.1
1
$50.79
$23.22
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% 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 Oct 23, 2026
Origin
Oakdale, CA
Evening
in Oakdale on Friday
Local time
8:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
NW 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued October 23 at 11:49AM PDT until October 24 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Coastal Flood Warning
Coastal Flood Warning issued October 23 at 11:03AM PDT until October 29 at 1:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Fontana, CA
Evening
in Fontana on Friday
Local time
8:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 0 to 5 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued October 23 at 11:49AM PDT until October 24 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Coastal Flood Warning
Coastal Flood Warning issued October 23 at 11:03AM PDT until October 29 at 1:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego 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.
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
2 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
6h 59m 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
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 287.7
Park Closure: Solstice Canyon Trail Weekday Closure for Repairs
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 225.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 76% of this route on highways, expect a predominantly high-speed experience. Your longest continuous stretch on CA 99 will be 115.8 miles. You'll notice dense exits and merging traffic as you transition between major freeways like the Golden State Freeway and the Foothill Freeway within urban and suburban areas. The final portion will likely involve navigating more local roads as you approach your destination.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.8 mi on CA 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 99.9 miles in near CA 99.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 362.8 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 99.9 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.6 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 292.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,822 ft115 ft
Total Climb
3,080 ft
Total Descent
2,001 ft
Highest Point
2,822 ft
~259.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,707 ft
Notable High Points
2,822 ft at ~259.1 miles+1,477 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 Oakdale, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
Oakdale is in the San Joaquin Valley of California along California Highway 120, which is the fastest route from the Bay Area to Yosemite. Oakdale claims to be the Cowboy Capital of the World.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 59m. Total distance: 362.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 59m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.8 miles on CA 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 99.9 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.6 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 292.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 14.0 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.
