How far is Fontana, CA from Mendota, CA?
The driving distance from Fontana, CA to Mendota, CA is about 281 miles (452.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 247.6 miles (398.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 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 05h 21m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Monterey County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fontana and Mendota.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana and Mendota.
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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
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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 right to continue on Westside Freeway
128.6 mi · 2 hr 18 min · Westside Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward CA 33 North: Mendota
1355 ft · 34 sec
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17
Turn right onto South Derrick Avenue
21.7 mi · 30 min · South Derrick Avenue
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18
Turn right onto 7th Street
1854 ft · 1 min · 7th Street
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19
Turn right onto Quince Street
38 m · 5 sec · Quince Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Quince Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fontana and Mendota.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
129 mi · 02h 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 Mostly Sunny near Mendota.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fontana to Mendota?
The road trip is about 281 miles (452.2 km) and usually takes 05h 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?
Greenfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.6 miles from Fontana and 140.5 miles from Mendota.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 247.6 miles (398.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:18 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $57.23 one way or $114.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fontana and Mostly Sunny near Mendota.
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 Mendota. Straight-line distance: 247.63 mi (398.52 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 Mendota
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 12,427 |
| Coordinates | 36.7535600, -120.3815600 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mendota (-120.38156, 36.75356)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 452 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $57.23 | $114.46 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $60.17 | $120.35 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $61.93 | $123.86 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $75.06 | $150.13 |
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.