How far is Nipomo, CA from Fontana, CA?

The driving distance from Nipomo, CA to Fontana, CA is about 212.9 miles (342.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 185 miles (297.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 35m 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
212.89 mi
04h 17m
Flight
185.05 mi
297.81 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Nipomo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
185.05 mi
Kilometers
297.81 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
212.89 mi
Kilometers
342.62 km
Drive Time
04h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fontana
Wed, Apr 22, 8:28 PM PDT
Return by in Nipomo
Thu, Apr 23, 12:46 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Nipomo
2026-04-22T16:11
Arrive Fontana
Wed, Apr 22, 8:28 PM PDT
Route Timing
04h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:18 AM to 12:18 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
8:24 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Nipomo
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
El Rio
CA

Census-designated place in Ventura County, California

From Nipomo
106.3 mi
02h 08m
To Fontana
106.6 mi
02h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW
Destination
72°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Nipomo and Fontana.

  1. 1

    Start on South Thompson Avenue

    14 m · 8 sec · South Thompson Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Tefft Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · West Tefft Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left

    1002 ft · 25 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto El Camino Real

    32.3 mi · 37 min · El Camino Real

  5. 5

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

    1266 ft · 39 sec

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Chumash Highway

    6.4 mi · 10 min · Chumash Highway

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway

    39 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Chumash Highway

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway

    35 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway

    23.9 mi · 33 min · Chumash Highway

  11. 11

    Take the ramp slight left toward US 101 South

    1206 ft · 32 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto El Camino Real

    17 mi · 20 min · El Camino Real

  13. 13

    Continue on Ventura Freeway

    70.5 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Ventura Freeway

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Ventura Freeway

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.2 km · 51 sec · Ventura Freeway

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    7.2 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway

  21. 21

    Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway

    17.9 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway

  24. 24

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway

  25. 25

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway

  26. 26

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    16.1 mi · 19 min · Foothill Freeway

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue

    1796 ft · 46 sec

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Sierra Avenue

    3 mi · 5 min · Sierra Avenue

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Merrill Avenue

    63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Nipomo 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
30 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
3 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Ventura Freeway
85 mi · 40%
El Camino Real
49.3 mi · 23%
Foothill Freeway
41.4 mi · 19%
Chumash Highway
32.6 mi · 15%
Sierra Avenue
3.3 mi · 2%
West Tefft Street
0.86 mi
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
04h 17m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.9 mi
185 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
El Rio
02h 08m from Nipomo
Leave By
8:24 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Nipomo 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 Nipomo to Fontana?

The road trip is about 212.9 miles (342.6 km) and usually takes 04h 17m 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?

El Rio is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.3 miles from Nipomo and 106.6 miles from Fontana.

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

The direct path is about 185 miles (297.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:24 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.33 one way or $86.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near El Rio

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 El Rio and the surrounding midpoint area.
Hampton Inn & Suites Camarillo
Stay option 5.3 mi away

Hampton Inn & Suites Camarillo

Camarillo , CA
50 W Daily Dr, Camarillo, CA 93010, United States
Rating 4.4/5 625 reviews Hotel
Ventura City Hall (formerly the Ventura County Courthouse - California Historical Landmark #847)
Scenic stop 8.4 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 8.4 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
Santa Paula City Hall
Nearby stop 10.5 mi away

Santa Paula City Hall

Santa Paula , CA
970 E Ventura St, Santa Paula, CA 93060, United States
Rating 4.5/5 10 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to El Rio.

RAIL

Oxnard Transportation Center

4 mi away
201 East Fourth Street
RAIL

Camarillo station

12 mi away
30 Lewis Road
RAIL

Ventura

13 mi away
Harbor Blvd and Figueroa Street
BUS

Santa Paula, California

15 mi away
245 South Palm Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Nipomo and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 185.05 mi (297.81 km).

Nipomo

#1 Nipomo

Census-designated place in San Luis Obispo County, California

Population16,714
Coordinates35.0427500, -120.4760000
Altitude101
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: Nipomo (-120.476, 35.04275)
End: Fontana (-117.43505, 34.09223)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 343 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.51 gal
28.44 L · about $43.33
Round trip
$86.65
15.02 gal · 56.88 L
Estimated CO2
66.7 kg one way
Round trip: 133.5 kg / 294 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $43.33 $86.65
Mid-grade $6.07 $45.56 $91.11
Premium $6.24 $46.88 $93.77
Diesel $7.57 $56.83 $113.66

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Nipomo and Fontana. The current time is 16:11:18.

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.