How far is Fontana, CA from South El Monte, CA?
The driving distance from Fontana, CA to South El Monte, CA is about 39 miles (62.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35.1 miles (56.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 34m 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 00h 47m.
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.
City on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fontana and South El Monte.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana and South El Monte.
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1
Start on Merrill Avenue
63 m · 9 sec · Merrill Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Sierra Avenue
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
1761 ft · 45 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
5.8 mi · 7 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9.3 mi · 10 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
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6
Merge slight right onto San Bernardino Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.4 km · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.6 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.6 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Santa Anita Avenue
1201 ft · 36 sec
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20
Turn left onto Santa Anita Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · Santa Anita Avenue
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21
Turn right onto Rush Street
1299 ft · 32 sec · Rush Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Rush Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fontana and South El Monte.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Keep slight left to continue on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9.31 mi · 00h 10m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Fontana and Sunny near South El Monte.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fontana to South El Monte?
The road trip is about 39 miles (62.7 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?
Claremont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.4 miles from Fontana and 19.5 miles from South El Monte.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35.1 miles (56.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.9 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 4:56 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.63 one way or $19.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fontana and Sunny near South El Monte.
Stop Ideas Near Claremont
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Your Home Away From Home
Embassy Suites by Hilton Brea North Orange County
Chino City Hall
Cucamonga Sign Shop LLC
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Claremont.
Claremont, California
Pomona station
Ontario
Fullerton Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fontana and South El Monte. Straight-line distance: 35.12 mi (56.52 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 South El Monte
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 21,126 |
| Coordinates | 34.0519500, -118.0467300 |
| Altitude | 76 |
| Country | United States |
End: South El Monte (-118.04673, 34.05195)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 63 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.63 | $19.27 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.13 | $20.26 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $10.43 | $20.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $12.64 | $25.27 |
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.