How far is Fontana, CA from Chowchilla, CA?
The driving distance from Fontana, CA to Chowchilla, CA is about 301.4 miles (485.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 262.7 miles (422.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 18m 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 05h 39m.
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.
City in Monterey County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fontana and Chowchilla.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana and Chowchilla.
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1
Start on Merrill Avenue
63 m · 6 sec · Merrill Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3 mi · 5 min · Sierra Avenue
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 210 West
1784 ft · 45 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
14.8 mi · 17 min · Foothill Freeway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
20 mi · 23 min · Foothill Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
25.6 mi · 30 min · Foothill Freeway
-
11
Keep slight right
686 ft · 9 sec
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12
Merge slight right
1.6 km · 1 min
-
13
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
6 mi · 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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17
Continue on Golden State Highway
111.4 mi · 2 hr · Golden State Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
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19
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
3.7 mi · 4 min · Northbound California State Route 99
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21
Take the exit slight right toward CA 233 West, Avenue 26
1361 ft · 39 sec
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22
Turn left onto Avenue 26
978 ft · 17 sec · Avenue 26
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23
Continue on East Robertson Boulevard
2672 ft · 49 sec · East Robertson Boulevard
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24
Turn right onto North 2nd Street
19 m · 3 sec · North 2nd Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fontana and Chowchilla.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Golden State Highway
Continue on Golden State Highway
111 mi · 02h 00m
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.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny leaving Fontana and Sunny near Chowchilla.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fontana to Chowchilla?
The road trip is about 301.4 miles (485.1 km) and usually takes 05h 39m 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 150.8 miles from Fontana and 150.7 miles from Chowchilla.
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 38.7 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 5:42 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $61.38 one way or $122.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny around Fontana and Sunny near Chowchilla.
Stop Ideas Near Greenfield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Greenfield.
Bakersfield
Wasco station
Tehachapi, California
Mojave, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fontana and Chowchilla. Straight-line distance: 262.72 mi (422.8 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 Chowchilla
City in Madera County, California, United States
| Population | 18,153 |
| Coordinates | 37.1230000, -120.2601800 |
| Altitude | 73 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chowchilla (-120.26018, 37.123)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 485 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 32m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $61.38 | $122.76 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $64.54 | $129.08 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $66.43 | $132.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $80.51 | $161.03 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.