How far is Rancho Santa Margarita, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA to Fontana, CA is about 53.6 miles (86.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.6 miles (52.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 18m 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 01h 09m.
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 Rancho Santa Margarita and Fontana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rancho Santa Margarita and Fontana.
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1
Start on Foothill Transportation Corridor
2476 ft · 33 sec · Foothill Transportation Corridor
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2
Take the exit slight right toward Antonio Parkway
1871 ft · 26 sec
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3
Turn left onto Antonio Parkway
630 ft · 23 sec · Antonio Parkway
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4
Turn left onto CA 241 Toll North
2195 ft · 29 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Foothill Transportation Corridor
15.1 mi · 17 min · Foothill Transportation Corridor
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6
Merge slight right onto Eastern Transportation Corridor
5.5 mi · 6 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
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7
Keep slight right to continue on CA 91 East: Riverside
1 mi · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Riverside Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Main Street
1328 ft · 19 sec
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10
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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11
Continue on Hamner Avenue
786 ft · 23 sec · Hamner Avenue
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12
Turn right onto East Yuma Drive
62 m · 3 sec · East Yuma Drive
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13
Continue on Hidden Valley Parkway
1010 ft · 27 sec · Hidden Valley Parkway
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14
Take the ramp left toward I 15 North: Barstow
1073 ft · 28 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Corona Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Corona Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Sixth Street
1457 ft · 44 sec
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17
Turn left onto 6th Street
816 ft · 27 sec · 6th Street
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18
Turn right onto Hamner Avenue
2.6 mi · 5 min · Hamner Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Limonite Avenue
2574 ft · 53 sec · Limonite Avenue
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20
Turn slight right
684 ft · 25 sec
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21
Take the ramp right toward I 15 North
1653 ft · 42 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Corona Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Corona Freeway
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23
Continue on Ontario Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Ontario Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Los Angeles, San Bernardino
1066 ft · 26 sec
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25
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East: San Bernadino
2905 ft · 1 min
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26
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
5.7 mi · 7 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue
1191 ft · 29 sec
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28
Keep slight left to continue on Sierra Avenue North
137 m · 13 sec
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29
Turn slight left onto Sierra Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Sierra Avenue
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30
Turn right onto Merrill Avenue
63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rancho Santa Margarita and Fontana.
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.
Foothill Transportation Corridor
Merge slight left onto Foothill Transportation Corridor
15.1 mi · 00h 17m
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 Rancho Santa Margarita 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 Rancho Santa Margarita to Fontana?
The road trip is about 53.6 miles (86.2 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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 26.8 miles from Rancho Santa Margarita and 26.8 miles from Fontana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.6 miles (52.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 21 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 4:12 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.90 one way or $21.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rancho Santa Margarita and Mostly Sunny near Fontana.
Stop Ideas Near Corona
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Ayres Hotel Anaheim
Chino City Hall
City National Grove of Anaheim
Embassy Suites by Hilton Brea North Orange County
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Corona.
Riverside–Downtown
Ontario
Moreno Valley, California
Pomona station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rancho Santa Margarita and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 32.64 mi (52.53 km).
#1 Rancho Santa Margarita
A city in Orange County, California.
| Population | 47,569 |
| Coordinates | 33.6408600, -117.6031000 |
| Altitude | 289 |
| 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: 86 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $10.90 | $21.81 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $11.46 | $22.93 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $11.80 | $23.60 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $14.30 | $28.60 |
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.