Origin
Ridgecrest, CA
Late night in Ridgecrest on Tuesday
Local time
1:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ridgecrest, CA to Fontana, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 23m
Distance
116.7 mi
188 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 14m
★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ridgecrest, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ridgecrest, CA to Fontana, CA is 116.7 miles and takes about 2h 23m via Blue Star Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward, single-day trip. Expect a local road feel with frequent turns rather than a long, open highway experience. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.3 miles from Ridgecrest, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 82.9 mi | 1h 39m |
| Barstow and Mojave Freeway | 9.7 mi | 10m |
| Sierra Avenue | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| South China Lake Boulevard | 6 mi | 9m |
| CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| I 15 | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| Red Mountain Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Ridgecrest Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 82.9 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgecrest, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on West Ridgecrest Boulevard
268 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Ridgecrest Boulevard
2
Turn right onto US 395 BUS
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
South China Lake Boulevard
3
Turn left onto US 395
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
4
Continue on US 395
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Red Mountain Road
5
Continue on US 395
67 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 15 South: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
Use the straight lane.
7
Merge onto I 15; US 66 Hist
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist; US 91 Hist; US 395 Hist
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
6.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto I 15
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
I 15
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 119
Toward Sierra Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Sierra Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft
·
4 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 23m duration, this trip is best suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to rush, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid peak traffic. Fuel costs are estimated at $27, so ensure you start with a full tank. Keep an eye on your navigation system, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making frequent adjustments. The Sierra Avenue segment will be one of the final parts of your journey into Fontana.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.3 miles from Ridgecrest, CA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.9 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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.3 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
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 Ridgecrest, 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 Ridgecrest, CA
This is one driving day of about 116.7 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Ridgecrest, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 82.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.3 miles from Ridgecrest, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Blue Star Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 89.9 and 116.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
89.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 15 South: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 15 South: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
5
90.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
I 15; US 66 Hist / Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Merge onto I 15; US 66 Hist / Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
110.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m 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 119
Toward Sierra Avenue
5
110.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
|
Sierra Avenue
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
116.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
|
Merrill Avenue
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.82 one way
$53.65 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $27.64 | $55.28 |
| premium | $6.18 | $28.38 | $56.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.77 | $51.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35 | 0 | $12.25 | $5.60 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.21 | $4.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.34 | $7.47 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Fontana, CA
Late night in Fontana on Tuesday
Local time
1:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford 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
2h 23m on the road
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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll navigate more intersections and changes in direction than on a typical interstate. With only a 12% highway share, much of your journey will be on surface streets and local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82.9 miles on the Blue Star Memorial Highway, providing a significant segment before you need to pay closer attention to navigation. This drive requires active engagement with the road and your GPS.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.9 mi on Blue Star Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 89.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 116.7 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 89.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.6 miles (I 15; US 66 Hist / Barstow and Mojave Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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 Ridgecrest, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Los Angeles along the way.
Los Angeles
89.9 mi in
|
~1h 50m
About the Cities
Starting in Ridgecrest, CA
Full guide →Ridgecrest is a city in Kern County in the Mojave Desert of California.
Top landmarks
- • Maturango Museum — museum in Ridgecrest, California
Arriving 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 2h 23m. Total distance: 116.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (12%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.9 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 89.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.6 miles (I 15; US 66 Hist / Barstow and Mojave Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fontana, CA before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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