How far is Lake Forest, CA from Fontana, CA?

The driving distance from Lake Forest, CA to Fontana, CA is about 49.5 miles (79.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 34.1 miles (54.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 14m 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
49.54 mi
01h 07m
Flight
34.04 mi
54.79 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake Forest.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
34.04 mi
Kilometers
54.79 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
49.54 mi
Kilometers
79.73 km
Drive Time
01h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fontana
Thu, Apr 23, 8:36 AM PDT
Return by in Lake Forest
Thu, Apr 23, 9:43 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Forest
2026-04-23T07:29
Arrive Fontana
Thu, Apr 23, 8:36 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:07 AM to 11:07 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:16 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake Forest
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
Corona
CA

The second most populous city in Riverside County, California.

From Lake Forest
24.8 mi
00h 33m
To Fontana
24.7 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Forest and Fontana.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Forest and Fontana.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    805 ft · 1 min

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Trabuco Road

    151 m · 11 sec · Trabuco Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Trabuco Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Trabuco Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Irvine Boulevard

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Irvine Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward CA 133 Toll North

    2074 ft · 29 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Eastern Transportation Corridor

    2343 ft · 31 sec · Eastern Transportation Corridor

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 241 North: Riverside

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Foothill Transportation Corridor

    5.3 mi · 6 min · Foothill Transportation Corridor

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto Eastern Transportation Corridor

    5.5 mi · 6 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 91 East: Riverside

    1 mi · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway

    8.2 mi · 9 min · Riverside Freeway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Main Street

    1328 ft · 19 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Hamner Avenue

    786 ft · 23 sec · Hamner Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto East Yuma Drive

    62 m · 3 sec · East Yuma Drive

  16. 16

    Continue on Hidden Valley Parkway

    1010 ft · 27 sec · Hidden Valley Parkway

  17. 17

    Take the ramp left toward I 15 North: Barstow

    1073 ft · 28 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Corona Freeway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Corona Freeway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Sixth Street

    1457 ft · 44 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 6th Street

    816 ft · 27 sec · 6th Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Hamner Avenue

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Hamner Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Limonite Avenue

    2574 ft · 53 sec · Limonite Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn slight right

    684 ft · 25 sec

  24. 24

    Take the ramp right toward I 15 North

    1653 ft · 42 sec

  25. 25

    Merge slight left onto Corona Freeway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Corona Freeway

  26. 26

    Continue on Ontario Freeway

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Ontario Freeway

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Los Angeles, San Bernardino

    1066 ft · 26 sec

  28. 28

    Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East: San Bernadino

    2905 ft · 1 min

  29. 29

    Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway

    5.7 mi · 7 min · San Bernardino Freeway

  30. 30

    Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue

    1191 ft · 29 sec

  31. 31

    Keep slight left to continue on Sierra Avenue North

    137 m · 13 sec

  32. 32

    Turn slight left onto Sierra Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Sierra Avenue

  33. 33

    Turn right onto Merrill Avenue

    63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue

  34. 34

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Forest and Fontana.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
34 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
7 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
68.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Riverside Freeway
8.2 mi · 17%
Eastern Transportation Corridor
5.92 mi · 12%
San Bernardino Freeway
5.74 mi · 12%
Foothill Transportation Corridor
5.3 mi · 11%
Corona Freeway
4.73 mi · 10%
Irvine Boulevard
3.55 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Riverside Freeway

Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway

8.2 mi · 00h 09m

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 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.4 mi
34.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Corona
00h 33m from Lake Forest
Leave By
4:16 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Lake Forest and Sunny near Fontana.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lake Forest to Fontana?

The road trip is about 49.5 miles (79.7 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?

Corona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.8 miles from Lake Forest and 24.7 miles from Fontana.

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

The direct path is about 34.1 miles (54.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.4 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 4:16 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.10 one way or $20.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Forest and Sunny near Fontana.

Stop Ideas Near Corona

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 Corona and the surrounding midpoint area.
Subway
Food stop 13.3 mi away

Subway

Pomona , CA
68 Rio Rancho Rd, Pomona, CA 91766
Rating 4.0/5 89 reviews Sandwich shop,Caterer,Fast food restaurant,Takeout Restaurant,Restaurant
Embassy Suites by Hilton Anaheim North
Stay option 14 mi away

Embassy Suites by Hilton Anaheim North

Anaheim , CA
3100 E Frontera St, Anaheim, CA 92806, United States
Rating 4.1/5 1,350 reviews Hotel
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 13 mi away

City of Riverside

Riverside , CA
6927 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92506, United States
Rating 4.2/5 10 reviews Park
Chino City Hall
Meeting point 10.2 mi away

Chino City Hall

Chino , CA
13220 Central Ave, Chino, CA 91710
Rating 4.6/5 31 reviews City Hall,City government office,Local government office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Riverside–Downtown

21 mi away
4066 Vine St.
RAIL

Ontario

22 mi away
228 South Plum Street
BUS

Moreno Valley, California

26 mi away
2650 East Alessandro Blvd.
RAIL

Pomona station

27 mi away
100 West Commercial Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake Forest and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 34.04 mi (54.79 km).

Lake Forest

#1 Lake Forest

A city in Orange County, California.

Population85,329
Coordinates33.6469700, -117.6892200
Altitude148
CountryUnited States
Fontana

#2 Fontana

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

Population216,173
Coordinates34.0922300, -117.4350500
Altitude377
CountryUnited States
Start: Lake Forest (-117.68922, 33.64697)
End: Fontana (-117.43505, 34.09223)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 80 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.75 gal
6.62 L · about $10.10
Round trip
$20.19
3.5 gal · 13.24 L
Estimated CO2
15.6 kg one way
Round trip: 31.1 kg / 69 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $10.10 $20.19
Mid-grade $6.07 $10.62 $21.23
Premium $6.24 $10.93 $21.85
Diesel $7.57 $13.24 $26.48

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Lake Forest and Fontana. The current time is 07:29:05.

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.