How far is Costa Mesa, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance from Costa Mesa, CA to Fontana, CA is about 57.7 miles (92.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 41.8 miles (67.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 01h 08m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in California, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Costa Mesa and Fontana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Costa Mesa and Fontana.
-
1
Start on Newport Boulevard
1503 ft · 34 sec · Newport Boulevard
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2
Continue on Costa Mesa Freeway
7.6 mi · 9 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
-
3
Keep slight right to continue on Costa Mesa Freeway
2136 ft · 28 sec · Costa Mesa Freeway
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4
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Santa Ana
1.1 km · 47 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
2756 ft · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 North: Pomona
11.9 mi · 14 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Orange Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Orange Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Orange Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Orange Freeway
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11
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Pomona Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 North
3.1 mi · 4 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 West, I 10 East: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ontario Airport
1093 ft · 27 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San Bernardino
2484 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
2.1 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9 mi · 10 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
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18
Merge slight right onto San Bernardino Freeway
6.5 mi · 7 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue
1191 ft · 29 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Sierra Avenue North
137 m · 13 sec
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21
Turn slight left onto Sierra Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Sierra Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Merrill Avenue
63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Costa Mesa and Fontana.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
CA 57 North
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 North: Pomona
11.9 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Costa Mesa and Mostly Sunny near Fontana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Costa Mesa to Fontana?
The road trip is about 57.7 miles (92.8 km) and usually takes 01h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Walnut is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.8 miles from Costa Mesa and 28.8 miles from Fontana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 41.8 miles (67.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:14 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.71 one way or $23.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Costa Mesa and Mostly Sunny near Fontana.
Stop Ideas Near Walnut
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Your Home Away From Home
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
City of South El Monte City Hall
Anaheim City Clerk
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Walnut.
Pomona station
Claremont, California
Fullerton Transportation Center
Ontario
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Costa Mesa and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 41.73 mi (67.16 km).
#1 Costa Mesa
The most populous city in Orange County, California.
| Population | 112,366 |
| Coordinates | 33.6411300, -117.9186700 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fontana
The second most populous city in San Bernardino County, California.
| Population | 216,173 |
| Coordinates | 34.0922300, -117.4350500 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fontana (-117.43505, 34.09223)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 93 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $11.71 | $23.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $12.31 | $24.63 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $12.67 | $25.35 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $15.36 | $30.72 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.