How far is Fontana, CA from Tulare, CA?
The driving distance from Fontana, CA to Tulare, CA is about 219.5 miles (353.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.8 miles (292.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 18m 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 09m.
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.
City in California, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fontana and Tulare.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana and Tulare.
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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 right to continue on Foothill Freeway
25.6 mi · 30 min · Foothill Freeway
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11
Keep slight right
686 ft · 9 sec
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12
Merge slight right
1.6 km · 1 min
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13
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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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
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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
54.5 mi · 58 min · Golden State Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward CA 137: Tulare Avenue
1255 ft · 31 sec
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19
Turn left onto East Tulare Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Tulare Avenue
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20
Turn left onto South J Street
16 m · 1 sec · South J Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South J Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fontana and Tulare.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Golden State Highway
Continue on Golden State Highway
54.5 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fontana and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near Tulare.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fontana to Tulare?
The road trip is about 219.5 miles (353.2 km) and usually takes 04h 09m 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?
Lebec is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.8 miles from Fontana and 109.7 miles from Tulare.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.8 miles (292.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.7 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 8:42 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.65 one way or $89.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fontana and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near Tulare.
Stop Ideas Near Lebec
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 Lebec.
Fillmore, California
Tehachapi, California
Santa Paula, California
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fontana and Tulare. Straight-line distance: 181.74 mi (292.49 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 Tulare
The most populous city in Tulare County, California.
| Population | 66,797 |
| Coordinates | 36.2077300, -119.3473400 |
| Altitude | 88 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tulare (-119.34734, 36.20773)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 353 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $44.65 | $89.30 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $46.95 | $93.90 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $48.32 | $96.64 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $58.57 | $117.14 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.