How far is Fontana, CA from Santa Maria, CA?

The driving distance from Fontana, CA to Santa Maria, CA is about 75.6 miles (121.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 65.2 miles (105 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
75.61 mi
01h 36m
Flight
65.24 mi
104.99 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fontana.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
65.24 mi
Kilometers
104.99 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
75.61 mi
Kilometers
121.69 km
Drive Time
01h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Santa Maria
Sat, Apr 18, 11:35 PM PDT
Return by in Fontana
Sun, Apr 19, 1:12 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fontana
2026-04-18T21:59
Arrive Santa Maria
Sat, Apr 18, 11:35 PM PDT
Route Timing
01h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:37 AM to 11:37 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:16 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fontana
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Arcadia
CA

A city in Los Angeles County, California.

From Fontana
37.8 mi
00h 48m
To Santa Maria
37.8 mi
00h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 mph NE
Destination
77°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fontana and Santa Maria.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fontana and Santa Maria.

  1. 1

    Start on Merrill Avenue

    63 m · 6 sec · Merrill Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Sierra Avenue

    3 mi · 5 min · Sierra Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward CA 210 West

    1784 ft · 45 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway

    14.8 mi · 17 min · Foothill Freeway

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    20 mi · 23 min · Foothill Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway

    6.4 mi · 7 min · Ventura Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Ventura Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    2776 ft · 36 sec · Ventura Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles, Sacramento

    1862 ft · 24 sec

  14. 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

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive

    1317 ft · 17 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 134: Ventura

    715 ft · 9 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway

    1 km · 44 sec · Ventura Freeway

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.2 km · 53 sec · Ventura Freeway

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    14.4 mi · 17 min · Ventura Freeway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward De Soto Avenue, Serrania Avenue

    1284 ft · 28 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto De Soto Avenue

    741 ft · 20 sec · De Soto Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on Serrania Avenue

    2770 ft · 1 min · Serrania Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Dumetz Road

    2440 ft · 1 min · Dumetz Road

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Canoga Avenue

    2207 ft · 1 min · Canoga Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Saltillo Street

    2534 ft · 1 min · Saltillo Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Golondrina Street

    809 ft · 36 sec · Golondrina Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Alhama Drive

    130 m · 16 sec · Alhama Drive

  29. 29

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Mulholland Drive

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Mulholland Drive

  30. 30

    Continue on Santa Maria Road

    3083 ft · 2 min · Santa Maria Road

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Santa Maria Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fontana and Santa Maria.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
31 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Foothill Freeway
41.6 mi · 55%
Ventura Freeway
25.6 mi · 34%
Sierra Avenue
3.03 mi · 4%
Mulholland Drive
1.11 mi · 1%
Santa Maria Road
0.58 mi · 1%
Serrania Avenue
0.52 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Foothill Freeway

Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

20 mi · 00h 23m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.4 mi
65.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Arcadia
00h 48m from Fontana
Leave By
3:16 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fontana and Mostly Sunny near Santa Maria.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fontana to Santa Maria?

The road trip is about 75.6 miles (121.7 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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?

Arcadia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.8 miles from Fontana and 37.8 miles from Santa Maria.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 65.2 miles (105 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:16 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.40 one way or $30.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fontana and Mostly Sunny near Santa Maria.

Stop Ideas Near Arcadia

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Arcadia and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Coffee break 10.5 mi away

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Meeting point 5 mi away

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Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Arcadia.

BUS

Pasadena, California

10 mi away
150 South Los Robles Ave.
RAIL

Glendale Transportation Center

21 mi away
400 West Cerritos Avenue
RAIL

Los Angeles Union Station

21 mi away
800 North Alameda Street
BUS

La Crescenta, California

23 mi away
Honolulu & Lowell Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fontana and Santa Maria. Straight-line distance: 65.24 mi (104.99 km).

Fontana

#1 Fontana

The second most populous city in San Bernardino County, California.

Population216,173
Coordinates34.0922300, -117.4350500
Altitude377
CountryUnited States
Santa Maria

#2 Santa Maria

The third most populous city in Santa Barbara County, California.

Population105,851
Coordinates34.1314000, -118.5745300
Altitude426
CountryUnited States
Start: Fontana (-117.43505, 34.09223)
End: Santa Maria (-118.57453, 34.1314)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 122 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.67 gal
10.1 L · about $15.40
Round trip
$30.81
5.34 gal · 20.2 L
Estimated CO2
23.7 kg one way
Round trip: 47.5 kg / 105 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $15.40 $30.81
Mid-grade $6.07 $16.20 $32.39
Premium $6.24 $16.67 $33.34
Diesel $7.57 $20.20 $40.41

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

There is no time difference between Fontana and Santa Maria. The current time is 21:59:01.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.