How far is Fontana, CA from Shafter, CA?
The driving distance from Fontana, CA to Shafter, CA is about 173.8 miles (279.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.5 miles (229.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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 03h 21m.
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.
Census-designated place in Los Angeles 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 Shafter.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana and Shafter.
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
3.8 mi · 4 min · Golden State Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Lerdo Highway
1338 ft · 35 sec
-
19
Turn left onto Lerdo Highway
6.2 mi · 8 min · Lerdo Highway
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20
Turn right onto Central Valley Highway
129 m · 12 sec · Central Valley Highway
-
21
Turn left onto Jackson Avenue
14 m · 2 sec · Jackson Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Jackson Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fontana and Shafter.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Foothill Freeway
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 00h 42m
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 Mostly Sunny near Shafter.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fontana to Shafter?
The road trip is about 173.8 miles (279.7 km) and usually takes 03h 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?
Val Verde is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.9 miles from Fontana and 86.9 miles from Shafter.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.5 miles (229.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.3 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 10:18 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.29 one way or $72.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny around Fontana and Mostly Sunny near Shafter.
Stop Ideas Near Val Verde
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 Val Verde.
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Simi Valley
Chatsworth station
Fillmore, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fontana and Shafter. Straight-line distance: 142.57 mi (229.45 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 Shafter
City in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 20,739 |
| Coordinates | 35.5005100, -119.2717800 |
| Altitude | 106 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shafter (-119.27178, 35.50051)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $36.29 | $72.57 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $38.16 | $76.31 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $39.27 | $78.54 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $47.60 | $95.19 |
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.