How far is Murrieta, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance from Murrieta, CA to Fontana, CA is about 46.2 miles (74.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 39.3 miles (63.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 58m 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 59m.
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.
The second most populous city in Riverside County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Murrieta and Fontana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Murrieta and Fontana.
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1
Start on Juniper Street
2545 ft · 1 min · Juniper Street
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2
Turn right onto Jefferson Avenue
1335 ft · 33 sec · Jefferson Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Los Alamos Road
1.9 mi · 4 min · Los Alamos Road
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 215 North: Riverside
1530 ft · 39 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Escondido Freeway
32.2 mi · 38 min · Escondido Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight left
5 mi · 6 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward Valley Way
1006 ft · 31 sec
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8
Turn right onto Valley Way
1948 ft · 35 sec · Valley Way
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9
Continue on Armstrong Road
2679 ft · 55 sec · Armstrong Road
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10
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
5.1 mi · 8 min · Sierra Avenue
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11
Turn right onto Merrill Avenue
63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Murrieta 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.
Escondido Freeway
Merge slight left onto Escondido Freeway
32.2 mi · 00h 38m
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 Murrieta and Mostly Sunny near Fontana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Murrieta to Fontana?
The road trip is about 46.2 miles (74.4 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?
Perris is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.2 miles from Murrieta and 23.1 miles from Fontana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 39.3 miles (63.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.9 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 4:32 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.40 one way or $18.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Murrieta and Mostly Sunny near Fontana.
Stop Ideas Near Perris
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Brandon's Diner Jr. Of City Hall
Holiday Inn Express Colton-Riverside North, an IHG Hotel
Summerly Community Park - City of Lake Elsinore
City of Lake Elsinore
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Perris.
Perris, California
Sun City, California
Moreno Valley, California
Hemet (West Florida Ave), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Murrieta and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 39.3 mi (63.25 km).
#1 Murrieta
The most populous city in Riverside County, California.
| Population | 116,522 |
| Coordinates | 33.5539100, -117.2139200 |
| Altitude | 334 |
| 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: 74 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.40 | $18.81 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $9.89 | $19.78 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $10.18 | $20.35 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $12.33 | $24.67 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.