This 403.6-mile drive from Stanford, CA to Fontana, CA is designed for a single day, taking an estimated 7 hours and 41 minutes of pure driving time. You'll be on the highway for 88% of the journey, covering a significant distance that makes it a practical day trip. Expect a fuel cost of around $93 for this route. The drive moves you from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast, primarily utilizing the Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway before merging onto I-5 Truck. It's a straightforward highway-focused trip, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two California locations.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.8 miles from Stanford, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
181.1 mi
3h 14m
Foothill Freeway
67 mi
1h 17m
I 5 Truck
58.4 mi
1h 6m
Pacheco Pass Highway
40.6 mi
50m
US 101
20.3 mi
23m
West Valley Freeway
18.1 mi
20m
Junipero Serra Freeway
7.2 mi
8m
Sierra Avenue
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stanford, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on Bowdoin Lane
323 ft·19 sec·Bowdoin Lane
2
Turn right onto Arguello Mall
226 ft·12 sec·Arguello Mall
3
Turn left onto Campus Drive East
0.2 mi·43 sec·Campus Drive East
4
Enter roundabout onto Bowdoin Street
18 ft·0 sec·Bowdoin Street
5
Continue on Bowdoin Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Bowdoin Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto Stanford Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·Stanford Avenue
7
Turn left onto Peter Coutts Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Peter Coutts Road
8
Turn right onto CR G3
1.8 mi·3 min·Page Mill Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 280 South: San JoseUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 280
7.2 mi·8 min·Junipero Serra Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 12BToward CA 85 South: GilroyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto CA 85
18 mi·20 min·West Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on CA 85
0.4 mi·27 sec·CA 85
Exit 1AToward US 101 South
14
Continue on US 101
20 mi·23 min·US 101
15
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.3 mi·39 sec·CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
16
Turn left onto CA 152
353 ft·12 sec·East 10th Street
17
Continue on CA 152
41 mi·50 min·Pacheco Pass Highway
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
19
Merge onto I 5
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·17 sec
Exit 161AToward I 210 East: PasadenaUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on I 210
24 mi·28 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
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.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi·3 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
16 mi·18 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 67Toward Sierra AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
32
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft·4 sec·Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
33
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 41-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you traverse major freeways. With two planned stops, you can break up the 403.6 miles effectively. The longest continuous stretch is 181.1 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you reach that point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $93, and it's always wise to top off when you see a convenient station, particularly before longer segments on the Westside Freeway. This route is well-suited for a single day, offering flexibility in when you choose to start and stop.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.8 miles from Stanford, CA, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 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 89 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.8 miles or 3h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 30m
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 Stanford, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Stanford, CA
This is one driving day of about 403.6 miles and 7h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Stanford, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 181.1 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 1.4 and 400.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip|~4m in|CR G3 / Page Mill Road
Turn right onto CR G3 / Page Mill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
10.8 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward CA 85 South: Gilroy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12B
Toward CA 85 South: Gilroy
7
333.1 mi into trip|~6h 18m 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
357.7 mi into trip|~6h 46m 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
400.3 mi into trip|~7h 35m 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
$92.76 one way
$185.53 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$95.59
$191.19
premium
$6.18
$98.15
$196.30
diesel
$5.61
$89.11
$178.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$93
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$118–$143
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.1
1
$42.38
$19.37
Efficient EV
100.9
1
$35.32
$16.14
EV Truck/SUV
161.4
2
$56.50
$25.83
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Stanford, CA
Late night
in Stanford on Tuesday
Local time
3:18 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fontana, CA
Late night
in Fontana on Tuesday
Local time
3:18 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.
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
5 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
7h 41m 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...
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 334
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
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 278.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 88% of the route on major freeways. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 181.1 miles on the Westside Freeway, which sets a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, characterized by the efficiency of interstate travel. While primarily freeway, the inclusion of I-5 Truck as a main road suggests a practical, perhaps more commercial, routing for a good part of the trip. Expect a steady rhythm as you navigate these well-traveled California corridors.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.1 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1.4 miles in near CR G3 / Page Mill Road.
Driving Effort10/10
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 403.6 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 1.4 miles (CR G3 / Page Mill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 333.1 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.
On the drive from Stanford, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 41m. Total distance: 403.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181.1 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (CR G3 / Page Mill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 333.1 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 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 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.
