How far is Fontana, CA from Carlsbad, CA?
The driving distance from Fontana, CA to Carlsbad, CA is about 82.5 miles (132.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64.7 miles (104.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 30m 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 45m.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fontana and Carlsbad.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana and Carlsbad.
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1
Start on Merrill Avenue
63 m · 9 sec · Merrill Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
5 mi · 8 min · Sierra Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Armstrong Road
2758 ft · 55 sec · Armstrong Road
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4
Continue on Valley Way
2527 ft · 45 sec · Valley Way
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5
Turn sharp left onto Mission Boulevard
582 ft · 26 sec · Mission Boulevard
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6
Continue on Mission Boulevard
563 ft · 26 sec · Mission Boulevard
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7
Turn sharp right onto Valley Way
62 m · 4 sec · Valley Way
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8
Take the ramp right toward CA 60 East: Riverside
1184 ft · 31 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Pomona Freeway
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10
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.9 mi · 5 min · Escondido Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 215, CA 60 Truck
2512 ft · 33 sec
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12
Keep slight right
36.3 mi · 41 min
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13
Continue on Avocado Highway
9.4 mi · 10 min · Avocado Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward CA 76: Pala, Oceanside
2818 ft · 40 sec
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15
Turn right onto Pala Road
4.3 mi · 6 min · Pala Road
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16
Continue on Mission Avenue
3.1 mi · 5 min · Mission Avenue
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17
Turn left onto East Vista Way
4.1 mi · 7 min · East Vista Way
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18
Continue on Vista Village Drive
1.1 mi · 2 min · Vista Village Drive
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19
Take the ramp right toward CA 78 West
1165 ft · 30 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Ronald Packard Parkway
5 mi · 6 min · Ronald Packard Parkway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Street
1322 ft · 34 sec
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22
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
1395 ft · 36 sec · Jefferson Street
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23
Continue on Jefferson Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · Jefferson Street
-
24
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
2042 ft · 1 min · Grand Avenue
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25
Turn left onto Carlsbad Boulevard
152 m · 21 sec · Carlsbad Boulevard
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26
Turn left onto Carlsbad Village Drive
42 m · 7 sec · Carlsbad Village Drive
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27
Turn right
25 m · 7 sec
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28
Turn right
9 m · 2 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fontana and Carlsbad.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 215
Keep slight right
36.3 mi · 00h 41m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Fontana and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Carlsbad.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fontana to Carlsbad?
The road trip is about 82.5 miles (132.7 km) and usually takes 01h 45m 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 41.3 miles from Fontana and 41.2 miles from Carlsbad.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64.7 miles (104.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.8 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 3:00 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.79 one way or $33.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Fontana and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Carlsbad.
Stop Ideas Near Murrieta Hot Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Best Western Plus Diamond Valley Inn
Rotary Park
City of Lake Elsinore
Perris City Hall
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 Fontana and Carlsbad. Straight-line distance: 64.73 mi (104.17 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 Carlsbad
The most populous city in San Diego County, California.
| Population | 115,599 |
| Coordinates | 33.1580900, -117.3505900 |
| Altitude | 16 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carlsbad (-117.35059, 33.15809)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 133 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $16.79 | $33.58 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $17.65 | $35.30 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $18.17 | $36.33 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $22.02 | $44.04 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.