How far is Fontana, CA from San Luis Obispo, CA?
The driving distance from Fontana, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA is about 236.9 miles (381.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 200.8 miles (323.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 31m 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 04h 45m.
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.
The most populous city in Ventura County, California.
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 San Luis Obispo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana and San Luis Obispo.
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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 left to continue on Ventura Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Ventura Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
2776 ft · 36 sec · Ventura Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles, Sacramento
1862 ft · 24 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 North, CA 134 West: Golden State Freeway, Sacramento, Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
98 m · 4 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
1317 ft · 17 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on CA 134: Ventura
715 ft · 9 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
1 km · 44 sec · Ventura Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 53 sec · Ventura Freeway
-
20
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
54.7 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Ventura Freeway
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21
Keep slight left
18.5 mi · 21 min
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22
Continue on El Camino Real
16.4 mi · 19 min · El Camino Real
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23
Take the exit slight right toward CA 154: State Street, Cachuma Lake
1127 ft · 29 sec
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24
Continue on Calle Real
1672 ft · 40 sec · Calle Real
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25
Turn right onto Chumash Highway
23.9 mi · 33 min · Chumash Highway
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway
35 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway
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27
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Chumash Highway
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway
43 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway
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29
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
6.3 mi · 10 min · Chumash Highway
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30
Take the ramp right toward US 101 North
1138 ft · 31 sec
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31
Merge slight left
56.5 mi · 1 hr 5 min
-
32
Take the exit slight right toward Osos Street
139 m · 11 sec
-
33
Continue on Osos Street
1586 ft · 1 min · Osos Street
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34
Turn left onto Monterey Street
620 ft · 23 sec · Monterey Street
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Monterey Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fontana and San Luis Obispo.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 101 North
Merge slight left
56.5 mi · 01h 05m
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 San Luis Obispo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fontana to San Luis Obispo?
The road trip is about 236.9 miles (381.2 km) and usually takes 04h 45m 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?
Ventura is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.3 miles from Fontana and 118.6 miles from San Luis Obispo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 200.8 miles (323.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.1 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 7:28 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.23 one way or $96.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fontana and Mostly Sunny near San Luis Obispo.
Stop Ideas Near Ventura
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Best Western Plus Carpinteria Inn
Ventura City Hall (formerly the Ventura County Courthouse - California Historical Landmark #847)
San Buenaventura City Hall
Oxnard Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ventura.
Ventura
Oxnard Transportation Center
Santa Paula, California
Carpinteria station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fontana and San Luis Obispo. Straight-line distance: 200.8 mi (323.16 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 San Luis Obispo
A city in San Luis Obispo County, California.
| Population | 47,590 |
| Coordinates | 35.2827500, -120.6596200 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Luis Obispo (-120.65962, 35.28275)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 381 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $48.23 | $96.46 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $50.71 | $101.42 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $52.19 | $104.38 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $63.26 | $126.52 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.