How far is Encinitas, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance from Encinitas, CA to Fontana, CA is about 91.8 miles (147.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73.4 miles (118.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 53m 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 56m.
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.
Census-designated place in Riverside County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Encinitas and Fontana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Encinitas and Fontana.
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1
Start on the route
11 m · 4 sec
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2
Turn right
32 m · 9 sec
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3
Turn right onto South Coast Highway
2906 ft · 1 min · South Coast Highway
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4
Turn right onto East E Street
114 m · 17 sec · East E Street
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5
Turn left onto South Vulcan Avenue
1479 ft · 40 sec · South Vulcan Avenue
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6
Turn right onto Encinitas Boulevard
2101 ft · 55 sec · Encinitas Boulevard
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7
Take the ramp sharp left toward I 5 North
1051 ft · 28 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
11.2 mi · 14 min · San Diego Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Mission Avenue
1355 ft · 33 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on CA 76 Business: Mission Avenue East
648 ft · 16 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Mission Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Mission Avenue
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12
Turn left onto North Foussat Road
599 ft · 16 sec · North Foussat Road
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13
Turn right onto San Luis Rey Mission Expressway
5.5 mi · 8 min · San Luis Rey Mission Expressway
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14
Continue on Mission Avenue
4.5 mi · 6 min · Mission Avenue
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15
Continue on Pala Road
4.5 mi · 6 min · Pala Road
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 North
1981 ft · 25 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Avocado Highway
9.6 mi · 10 min · Avocado Highway
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18
Continue on Escondido Freeway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Escondido Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 215
1510 ft · 18 sec
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20
Continue on Escondido Freeway
34.3 mi · 40 min · Escondido Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight left
5 mi · 6 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Valley Way
1006 ft · 31 sec
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23
Turn right onto Valley Way
1948 ft · 35 sec · Valley Way
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24
Continue on Armstrong Road
2679 ft · 55 sec · Armstrong Road
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25
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
5.1 mi · 8 min · Sierra Avenue
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26
Turn right onto Merrill Avenue
63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Encinitas 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.
Escondido Freeway
Continue on Escondido Freeway
34.3 mi · 00h 40m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Encinitas 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 Encinitas to Fontana?
The road trip is about 91.8 miles (147.8 km) and usually takes 01h 56m 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?
Murrieta Hot Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46 miles from Encinitas and 45.9 miles from Fontana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73.4 miles (118.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:36 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.69 one way or $37.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Encinitas and Mostly Sunny near Fontana.
Stop Ideas Near Murrieta Hot Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Rodeway Inn & Suites Canyon Lake I-15
Summerly Community Park - City of Lake Elsinore
City of Wildomar
Superior Court of California, County of Riverside - Southwest Justice Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Murrieta Hot Springs.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Encinitas and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 73.37 mi (118.08 km).
#1 Encinitas
The most populous city in San Diego County, California.
| Population | 62,671 |
| Coordinates | 33.0369900, -117.2919800 |
| Altitude | 25 |
| 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: 148 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $18.69 | $37.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $19.65 | $39.31 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $20.23 | $40.45 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $24.52 | $49.03 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.