How far is Morro Bay, CA from Fontana, CA?

The driving distance from Morro Bay, CA to Fontana, CA is about 249 miles (400.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 212.9 miles (342.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
248.99 mi
05h 00m
Flight
212.93 mi
342.67 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Morro Bay.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
212.93 mi
Kilometers
342.67 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
248.99 mi
Kilometers
400.71 km
Drive Time
05h 00m

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 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fontana
Thu, Apr 16, 6:03 PM PDT
Return by in Morro Bay
Thu, Apr 16, 11:03 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Morro Bay
2026-04-16T13:02
Arrive Fontana
Thu, Apr 16, 6:03 PM PDT
Route Timing
05h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:00 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Morro Bay
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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
Carpinteria
CA

City in California

From Morro Bay
124.4 mi
02h 30m
To Fontana
124.6 mi
02h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NNW
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Morro Bay and Fontana.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Morro Bay and Fontana.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    12 m · 3 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Morro Bay Boulevard

    2675 ft · 53 sec · Morro Bay Boulevard

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Morro Bay Boulevard

    29 m · 2 sec · Morro Bay Boulevard

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Morro Bay Boulevard

    72 m · 5 sec · Morro Bay Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right

    1021 ft · 25 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Cabrillo Highway

    10.1 mi · 12 min · Cabrillo Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on North Santa Rosa Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · North Santa Rosa Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Olive Street

    1013 ft · 36 sec · Olive Street

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Cabrillo Highway

    11.6 mi · 13 min · Cabrillo Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on El Camino Real

    44.8 mi · 52 min · El Camino Real

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 154: Los Olivos, Lake Cachuma

    1266 ft · 37 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Chumash Highway

    6.4 mi · 10 min · Chumash Highway

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway

    39 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Chumash Highway

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway

    35 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway

    23.9 mi · 33 min · Chumash Highway

  17. 17

    Take the ramp slight left toward US 101 South

    1206 ft · 32 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto El Camino Real

    17 mi · 20 min · El Camino Real

  19. 19

    Continue on Ventura Freeway

    70.5 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Ventura Freeway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway

  24. 24

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Ventura Freeway

  25. 25

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.2 km · 51 sec · Ventura Freeway

  26. 26

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    7.2 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway

  27. 27

    Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway

    17.9 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway

  28. 28

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway

  29. 29

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway

  30. 30

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway

  31. 31

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway

  32. 32

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    16.1 mi · 19 min · Foothill Freeway

  33. 33

    Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue

    1796 ft · 46 sec

  34. 34

    Turn right onto Sierra Avenue

    3 mi · 5 min · Sierra Avenue

  35. 35

    Turn left onto Merrill Avenue

    63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue

  36. 36

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Morro Bay and Fontana.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
36 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
4 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Ventura Freeway
85 mi · 34%
El Camino Real
61.8 mi · 25%
Foothill Freeway
41.4 mi · 17%
Chumash Highway
32.6 mi · 13%
Cabrillo Highway
21.7 mi · 9%
Sierra Avenue
3.3 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Ventura Freeway

Continue on Ventura Freeway

70.5 mi · 01h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 00m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.1 mi
212.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Carpinteria
02h 30m from Morro Bay
Leave By
7:00 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Morro Bay 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 Morro Bay to Fontana?

The road trip is about 249 miles (400.7 km) and usually takes 05h 00m 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?

Carpinteria is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.4 miles from Morro Bay and 124.6 miles from Fontana.

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

The direct path is about 212.9 miles (342.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.1 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 7:00 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.71 one way or $101.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Morro Bay and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Fontana.

Stop Ideas Near Carpinteria

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 Carpinteria and the surrounding midpoint area.
Motel 6 Carpinteria, CA - Santa Barbara - South
Stay option 6 mi away

Motel 6 Carpinteria, CA - Santa Barbara - South

Carpinteria , CA
5550 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013, United States
Rating 3.5/5 1,171 reviews Motel,Hotel
Ventura City Hall (formerly the Ventura County Courthouse - California Historical Landmark #847)
Scenic stop 8.5 mi away

Ventura City Hall (formerly the Ventura County Courthouse - California Historical Landmark #847)

Ventura , CA
501 Poli St, Ventura, CA 93001, United States
Rating 4.3/5 18 reviews Historical landmark
San Buenaventura City Hall
Meeting point 8.5 mi away

San Buenaventura City Hall

Ventura , CA
501 Poli St, Ventura, CA 93001, United States
Rating 4.4/5 12 reviews City or town hall,City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 7.6 mi away

Housing Authority of the City of Sanbuenaventura ( Main Office)

Ventura , CA
995 Riverside St, Ventura, CA 93001, United States
Rating 3.5/5 2 reviews Housing authority

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Carpinteria station

475 Linden at Fifth Street
RAIL

Santa Barbara

16 mi away
209 State Street
RAIL

Ventura

24 mi away
Harbor Blvd and Figueroa Street
RAIL

Goleta station

30 mi away
25 South La Patera Lane

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Morro Bay and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 212.93 mi (342.67 km).

Morro Bay

#1 Morro Bay

City in San Luis Obispo County, California.

Population10,560
Coordinates35.3658100, -120.8499000
Altitude19
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: Morro Bay (-120.8499, 35.36581)
End: Fontana (-117.43505, 34.09223)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 401 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.79 gal
33.26 L · about $50.71
Round trip
$101.42
17.58 gal · 66.52 L
Estimated CO2
78.1 kg one way
Round trip: 156.2 kg / 344 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $50.71 $101.42
Mid-grade $6.07 $53.32 $106.64
Premium $6.24 $54.88 $109.75
Diesel $7.57 $66.51 $133.03

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

There is no time difference between Morro Bay and Fontana. The current time is 13:02:52.

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.