How far is Chowchilla, CA from Fontana, CA?

The driving distance from Chowchilla, CA to Fontana, CA is about 301.1 miles (484.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 262.7 miles (422.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 16m 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
301.11 mi
05h 38m
Flight
262.72 mi
422.8 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chowchilla.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
262.72 mi
Kilometers
422.8 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
301.11 mi
Kilometers
484.59 km
Drive Time
05h 38m

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 05h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fontana
Thu, Apr 16, 10:58 AM PDT
Return by in Chowchilla
Thu, Apr 16, 4:36 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chowchilla
2026-04-16T05:19
Arrive Fontana
Thu, Apr 16, 10:58 AM PDT
Route Timing
05h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:38 AM to 1:38 PM PDT

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

Leave by
5:44 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chowchilla
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Greenfield
CA

City in Monterey County, California, United States

From Chowchilla
150.6 mi
02h 49m
To Fontana
150.5 mi
02h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North 2nd Street

    19 m · 8 sec · North 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Robertson Boulevard

    1782 ft · 30 sec · Robertson Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    1583 ft · 39 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    37.6 mi · 42 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    41 mi · 44 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway

    58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Golden State Freeway

    5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: Pasadena

    1347 ft · 18 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Foothill Freeway

    24.4 mi · 28 min · Foothill Freeway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    19.1 mi · 22 min · Foothill Freeway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    16.1 mi · 19 min · Foothill Freeway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue

    1796 ft · 46 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Sierra Avenue

    3 mi · 5 min · Sierra Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Merrill Avenue

    63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
22 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Golden State Freeway
92.8 mi · 31%
Robertson Boulevard
79.2 mi · 26%
Foothill Freeway
67 mi · 22%
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 19%
Sierra Avenue
3.3 mi · 1%
I 210 East
0.26 mi
Longest Stretch

Golden State Highway

Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway

58.6 mi · 01h 03m

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
05h 38m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.4 mi
262.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Greenfield
02h 49m from Chowchilla
Leave By
5:44 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Chowchilla and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Fontana.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 301.1 miles (484.6 km) and usually takes 05h 38m 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?

Greenfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150.6 miles from Chowchilla and 150.5 miles from Fontana.

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

The direct path is about 262.7 miles (422.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.4 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 5:44 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $61.32 one way or $122.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chowchilla and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Fontana.

Stop Ideas Near Greenfield

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Greenfield, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Bakersfield

12 mi away
601 Truxtun Ave
RAIL

Wasco station

47 mi away
700 G Street
BUS

Tehachapi, California

52 mi away
Westside of Mullbery Street
BUS

Mojave, California

79 mi away
15900 Sierra Highway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chowchilla and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 262.72 mi (422.8 km).

Chowchilla

#1 Chowchilla

City in Madera County, California, United States

Population18,153
Coordinates37.1230000, -120.2601800
Altitude73
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: Chowchilla (-120.26018, 37.123)
End: Fontana (-117.43505, 34.09223)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 485 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.63 gal
40.22 L · about $61.32
Round trip
$122.65
21.26 gal · 80.44 L
Estimated CO2
94.5 kg one way
Round trip: 188.9 kg / 416 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $61.32 $122.65
Mid-grade $6.07 $64.48 $128.96
Premium $6.24 $66.36 $132.73
Diesel $7.57 $80.44 $160.87

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Chowchilla and Fontana. The current time is 05:19:42.

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.