How far is Fontana, CA from Ridgecrest, CA?
The driving distance from Fontana, CA to Ridgecrest, CA is about 116.4 miles (187.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 106.6 miles (171.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 48m 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 02h 24m.
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 Kern County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fontana and Ridgecrest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana and Ridgecrest.
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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
6.1 mi · 9 min · Sierra Avenue
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 15 North
1314 ft · 34 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Ontario Freeway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Ontario Freeway
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5
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.8 mi · 7 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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6
Continue on CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
5.4 mi · 6 min · CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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8
Take the exit right toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
1549 ft · 38 sec
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9
Continue on US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
1.4 km · 2 min
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10
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
66.7 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Red Mountain Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Red Mountain Road
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12
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
16.1 mi · 19 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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13
Turn slight right onto South China Lake Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · South China Lake Boulevard
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14
Turn left onto West Ridgecrest Boulevard
127 m · 26 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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15
Continue on West Ridgecrest Boulevard
23 m · 3 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fontana and Ridgecrest.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
66.7 mi · 01h 21m
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.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny leaving Fontana and Mostly Sunny near Ridgecrest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fontana to Ridgecrest?
The road trip is about 116.4 miles (187.3 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?
Boron is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.3 miles from Fontana and 58.1 miles from Ridgecrest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 106.6 miles (171.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.8 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 1:42 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.11 one way or $54.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny around Fontana and Mostly Sunny near Ridgecrest.
Stop Ideas Near Boron
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 Boron.
Mojave, California
Lancaster, California
Barstow Harvey House
Barstow (Bus), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fontana and Ridgecrest. Straight-line distance: 106.57 mi (171.51 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 Ridgecrest
City in California
| Population | 29,135 |
| Coordinates | 35.6224600, -117.6709000 |
| Altitude | 698 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ridgecrest (-117.6709, 35.62246)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 187 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $27.11 | $54.23 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $28.51 | $57.02 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $29.34 | $58.68 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $35.56 | $71.13 |
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 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.