How far is Fontana, CA from Calexico, CA?
The driving distance from Fontana, CA to Calexico, CA is about 176.1 miles (283.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 21m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Riverside County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fontana and Calexico.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana and Calexico.
-
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
63 m · 9 sec · Merrill Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Sierra Avenue
-
3
Take the ramp slight left toward I 10 East: San Bernardino
2075 ft · 53 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
7.2 mi · 8 min · San Bernardino Freeway
-
5
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
40.3 mi · 44 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.5 mi · 35 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Centro
66.6 mi · 1 hr 18 min
-
8
Turn left onto Brawley Bypass
3.7 mi · 4 min · Brawley Bypass
-
9
Continue on Ben Hulse Highway
23.4 mi · 27 min · Ben Hulse Highway
-
10
Turn right onto West Birch Street
554 ft · 10 sec · West Birch Street
-
11
Turn slight left onto Harold Avenue
57 m · 14 sec · Harold Avenue
-
12
Turn sharp left onto West Birch Street
702 ft · 14 sec · West Birch Street
-
13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Birch Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fontana and Calexico.
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 86 South
Keep slight right to continue on CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Centro
66.6 mi · 01h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Fontana and Sunny near Calexico.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fontana to Calexico?
The road trip is about 176.1 miles (283.4 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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 88 miles from Fontana and 88 miles from Calexico.
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 27.7 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 $35.83 one way or $71.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fontana and Sunny near Calexico.
Stop Ideas Near Coachella
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Turtle Back Mesa Bed & Breakfast
Hotel Indigo Coachella, an IHG Hotel
United States Postal Service
Indio City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Coachella.
Indio, California
La Quinta, CA
Palm Desert, CA
Palm Springs (Buses), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fontana and Calexico. Straight-line distance: 148.36 mi (238.76 km).
#1 Fontana
The second most populous city in San Bernardino County, California.
| Population | 216,173 |
| Coordinates | 34.0922300, -117.4350500 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Calexico
City in California
| Population | 39,547 |
| Coordinates | 32.6789500, -115.4988800 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Calexico (-115.49888, 32.67895)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 283 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $35.83 | $71.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $37.67 | $75.34 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $38.77 | $77.54 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $46.99 | $93.98 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.