How far is Madera, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance from Madera, CA to Fontana, CA is about 285 miles (458.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 247.2 miles (397.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 40m 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 05h 20m.
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 Monterey County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madera and Fontana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madera and Fontana.
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1
Start on North Gateway Drive
2104 ft · 42 sec · North Gateway Drive
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2
Turn right onto South Madera Avenue
1574 ft · 34 sec · South Madera Avenue
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3
Take the ramp left toward CA 99 South: Fresno
1272 ft · 31 sec
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4
Merge slight left
21.2 mi · 23 min
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5
Keep slight left
41 mi · 44 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway
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7
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: Pasadena
1347 ft · 18 sec
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12
Continue on Foothill Freeway
24.4 mi · 28 min · Foothill Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
19.1 mi · 22 min · Foothill Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
16.1 mi · 19 min · Foothill Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue
1796 ft · 46 sec
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20
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3 mi · 5 min · Sierra Avenue
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21
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madera and Fontana.
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
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 01h 03m
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.
Sunny leaving Madera and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Fontana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madera to Fontana?
The road trip is about 285 miles (458.6 km) and usually takes 05h 20m 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?
Greenfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.5 miles from Madera and 142.4 miles from Fontana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 247.2 miles (397.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.8 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 6:20 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $57.98 one way or $115.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Madera and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Fontana.
Stop Ideas Near Greenfield
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 Greenfield.
Bakersfield
Wasco station
Tehachapi, California
Mojave, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madera and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 247.15 mi (397.75 km).
#1 Madera
The most populous city in Madera County, California.
| Population | 66,723 |
| Coordinates | 36.9613400, -120.0607200 |
| Altitude | 83 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fontana
The second most populous city in San Bernardino County, California.
| Population | 216,173 |
| Coordinates | 34.0922300, -117.4350500 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fontana (-117.43505, 34.09223)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 459 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $57.98 | $115.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $60.96 | $121.93 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $62.74 | $125.48 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $76.05 | $152.10 |
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.