Truckee to Fontana is 453.9 miles and takes about 9h 40m via US 395, with a fuel budget near $104 and best suited for an overnight trip. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region of California down to Southern California, offering a mixed driving experience. With a recommended two-day itinerary, you'll have ample time to enjoy the journey without feeling rushed. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward path with a manageable fuel cost to get you between these two points in the Golden State.
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
226.9 miles from Truckee, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 395
109.1 mi
2h 21m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
104.6 mi
2h 2m
Blue Star Memorial Highway
103.3 mi
2h 3m
Main Street
43.8 mi
53m
South Carson Street
11 mi
13m
CA 267
10.3 mi
14m
NV 28
10.1 mi
16m
Lincoln Highway
9.8 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
US 395
— 109.1 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Truckee, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on this road
78 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 40 Hist
249 ft·15 sec·Donner Pass Road
3
Turn left onto Bridge Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on Brockway Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Brockway Road
5
Enter roundabout onto Brockway Road
107 ft·2 sec·Brockway Road
6
Continue on Brockway Road
0.3 mi·36 sec·Brockway Road
7
Turn right onto CA 267
10 mi·14 min·CA 267
8
Turn left onto CA 28
0.4 mi·56 sec·North Lake Boulevard
9
Enter roundabout onto CA 28
69 ft·1 sec·North Lake Boulevard
10
Continue on CA 28
0.1 mi·21 sec·North Lake Boulevard
11
Enter roundabout onto CA 28
66 ft·2 sec·North Lake Boulevard
12
Continue on CA 28
1.2 mi·2 min·North Lake Boulevard
13
Continue on NV 28
2.3 mi·5 min·Tahoe Boulevard
14
Turn right onto Lakeshore Boulevard
3.1 mi·6 min·Lakeshore Boulevard
15
At end of road, turn right onto NV 28
10 mi·16 min·NV 28
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 50
9.8 mi·14 min·Lincoln Highway
17
Turn right onto US 395
11 mi·13 min·South Carson Street
18
Take the exit
488 ft·13 sec
19
Turn straight onto NV 88
0.3 mi·42 sec·Woodfords Road
20
Enter roundabout onto County Road
144 ft·2 sec·County Road
21
Continue on County Road
1.1 mi·2 min·County Road
22
At end of road, turn right onto US 395
66 mi·1 hr 30 min·US 395
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto Emigrant Street
0.5 mi·42 sec·Emigrant Street
24
At end of road, turn right onto Sinclair Street
0.1 mi·13 sec·Sinclair Street
25
Turn left onto US 395
44 mi·53 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 395
44 mi·50 min·US 395
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto North Barlow Lane
1.0 mi·1 min·North Barlow Lane
28
Turn left onto CA 168
1.5 mi·2 min·West Line Street
29
Turn right onto US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
2.4 mi·3 min·South Main Street
30
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
5.0 mi·5 min·El Camino Sierra
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
7.4 mi·8 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Main Street
33
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
26 mi·31 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·North Edwards Street
35
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
15 mi·17 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
36
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
2.2 mi·4 min·North Main Street
37
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi·1 hr 4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
38
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
7.0 mi·8 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
39
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395
30 mi·34 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Toward US 395 South: San BernardinoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on US 395
0.9 mi·1 min·Red Mountain Road
41
Continue on US 395
67 mi·1 hr 20 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
42
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 15 South: San Bernardino, Los AngelesUse the straight lane.
43
Merge onto I 15; US 66 Hist
3.4 mi·3 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
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.
45
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
6.3 mi·6 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Take the exit onto I 15
4.3 mi·4 min·I 15
47
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 119Toward Sierra AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
6.2 mi·9 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left lane.
49
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft·4 sec·Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
50
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 40m estimated duration, splitting this 453.9-mile drive over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed pace. Aim to start your first day early to maximize daylight, especially if traveling during shorter daylight months. Plan for at least two stops to refuel and stretch, considering the longest stretch is over 100 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as services can be spread out on certain sections of US 395, and factor in the $104 fuel cost for your budget.
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 226.9 miles from Truckee, CA, or about 5h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.1 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 100 miles or 2h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 226.9 miles or 5h 7m 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 226.9 miles or 5h 7m
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 8h 27m
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 Truckee, 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 Truckee, CA
Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fontana, CA
Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Truckee, 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 US 395 for about 109.1 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 447.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Bridge Street
Turn left onto Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
51.6 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|US 395
At end of road, turn right onto US 395
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
329.8 mi into trip|~7h 10m in|US 395 / Blue Star Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 / Blue Star Memorial Highway toward US 395 South: San Bernardino
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 395 South: San Bernardino
7
427.1 mi into trip|~9h 7m 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
7
447.3 mi into trip|~9h 29m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$104.33 one way
$208.65 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg159 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$107.51
$215.01
premium
$6.18
$110.38
$220.77
diesel
$5.61
$100.22
$200.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$104
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$234–$344
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 158.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
136.2
1
$47.66
$21.79
Efficient EV
113.5
1
$39.72
$18.16
EV Truck/SUV
181.6
2
$63.55
$29.05
Gas CO2
159 kg
EV CO2
53 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 18, 2026
Origin
Truckee, CA
Late night
in Truckee on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fontana, CA
Late night
in Fontana on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Clear
N 15 mph0% chanceLive 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
8 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
9h 40m 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.
Devils Postpile National Monument
National Monument
Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 156.5
Park Closure: Reds Meadow Road Access Restrictions in 2026
Park Closure: Devils Postpile National Monument facilities are closed for the season
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yose...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
$35
near mile 140.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a mixed drive, with 32% of the journey on highways. You'll experience stretches on US 395, also known as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway and Blue Star Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 109.1 miles on US 395, offering a good opportunity to settle in. As you progress, the character of the road will likely shift, providing varied driving conditions throughout your trip.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.1 mi on US 395.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 25 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Bridge Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 453.9 miles you will encounter 25 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 0.1 miles (Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 miles (US 395): Lane positioning matters here; at 329.8 miles (US 395 / Blue Star Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Truckee, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Los Angeles along the way.
Truckee is a pleasant town of 17,000 people (2019) in the Lake Tahoe region of California. Just east of the Donner Pass on Interstate 80, Truckee is an easy entry point for travelers from the Bay Area to the region.
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109.1 miles on US 395. 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 227 miles on day one.
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 0.1 miles (Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 miles (US 395): Lane positioning matters here; at 329.8 miles (US 395 / Blue Star Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Devils Postpile National Monument and Yosemite National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.7 hours each way, a round trip means 19.3 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.
