How far is Calexico, CA from Fontana, CA?

The driving distance from Calexico, CA to Fontana, CA is about 175.7 miles (282.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
175.75 mi
03h 20m
Flight
148.36 mi
238.76 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Calexico.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
148.36 mi
Kilometers
238.76 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
175.75 mi
Kilometers
282.85 km
Drive Time
03h 20m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 03h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fontana
Fri, Apr 17, 9:47 AM PDT
Return by in Calexico
Fri, Apr 17, 1:08 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Calexico
2026-04-17T06:27
Arrive Fontana
Fri, Apr 17, 9:47 AM PDT
Route Timing
03h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:21 AM to 11:21 AM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:18 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Calexico
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Coachella
CA

A city in Riverside County, California.

From Calexico
87.9 mi
01h 40m
To Fontana
87.9 mi
01h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NNW
Destination
75°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
20 to 30 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Calexico and Fontana.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Calexico and Fontana.

  1. 1

    Start on West Birch Street

    9 m · 1 sec · West Birch Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Imperial Avenue

    23.4 mi · 27 min · Imperial Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Brawley Bypass

    3.7 mi · 4 min · Brawley Bypass

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right

    29 mi · 35 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    5.2 mi · 6 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    32.5 mi · 38 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight right onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway

    32.6 mi · 35 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

    39.9 mi · 44 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on San Bernardino Freeway

    7.5 mi · 9 min · San Bernardino Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue

    1087 ft · 27 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Sierra Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Sierra Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Merrill Avenue

    63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Calexico and Fontana.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
13 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Brawley Bypass
70.4 mi · 40%
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
39.9 mi · 23%
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.6 mi · 19%
Imperial Avenue
23.4 mi · 13%
San Bernardino Freeway
7.47 mi · 4%
Sierra Avenue
1.92 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

39.9 mi · 00h 44m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 20m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.3 mi
148.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Coachella
01h 40m from Calexico
Leave By
10:18 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Calexico and Sunny near Fontana.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Calexico to Fontana?

The road trip is about 175.7 miles (282.8 km) and usually takes 03h 20m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Coachella is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.9 miles from Calexico and 87.9 miles from Fontana.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:18 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.77 one way or $71.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Calexico and Sunny near Fontana.

Stop Ideas Near Coachella

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Coachella and the surrounding midpoint area.
Turtle Back Mesa Bed & Breakfast
Coffee break 14.6 mi away

Turtle Back Mesa Bed & Breakfast

Desert Hot Springs , CA
28700 Hotwell Rd, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92241, United States
Rating 4.5/5 13 reviews Bed & breakfast
Hotel Indigo Coachella, an IHG Hotel
Stay option 4.7 mi away

Hotel Indigo Coachella, an IHG Hotel

Coachella , CA
84141 Ave 48, Coachella, CA 92236, United States
Rating 4.3/5 3 reviews Hotel,Conference center,Pet friendly accommodation,Wedding venue
United States Postal Service
Practical stop 14.4 mi away

United States Postal Service

Palm Desert , CA
74801 Hovley Ln E, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Rating 2.6/5 69 reviews Post office,Logistics service,Money order service,Passport office,Shipping and mailing service
Indio City Hall
Meeting point 6.6 mi away

Indio City Hall

Indio , CA
100 Civic Center Mall, Indio, CA 92201, United States
Rating 5.0/5 5 reviews City or town hall,Building inspector,City government office,Economic development agency,Municipal administration office,Urban planning department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Coachella.

BUS

Indio, California

7 mi away
NE Corner Hywy-111 and Monroe Street
BUS

La Quinta, CA

11 mi away
78822 Highway 111
BUS

Palm Desert, CA

21 mi away
44449 Towne Center Way
BUS

Palm Springs (Buses), California

38 mi away
3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Calexico and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 148.36 mi (238.76 km).

Calexico

#1 Calexico

City in California

Population39,547
Coordinates32.6789500, -115.4988800
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Fontana

#2 Fontana

The second most populous city in San Bernardino County, California.

Population216,173
Coordinates34.0922300, -117.4350500
Altitude377
CountryUnited States
Start: Calexico (-115.49888, 32.67895)
End: Fontana (-117.43505, 34.09223)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 283 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.2 gal
23.48 L · about $35.77
Round trip
$71.54
12.4 gal · 46.96 L
Estimated CO2
55.1 kg one way
Round trip: 110.2 kg / 243 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $35.77 $71.54
Mid-grade $6.07 $37.61 $75.22
Premium $6.24 $38.71 $77.41
Diesel $7.57 $46.92 $93.83

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in California · Apr 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Calexico and Fontana. The current time is 06:27:08.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.