How far is Ridgecrest, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance from Ridgecrest, CA to Fontana, CA is about 116.7 miles (187.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 106.6 miles (171.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 47m 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 02h 23m.
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.
Census-designated place in Kern County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ridgecrest and Fontana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgecrest and Fontana.
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1
Start on West Ridgecrest Boulevard
82 m · 13 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto South China Lake Boulevard
6 mi · 9 min · South China Lake Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
16.2 mi · 19 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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4
Continue on Red Mountain Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Red Mountain Road
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5
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
66.7 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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6
Take the exit straight toward I 15 South: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
1.1 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Barstow and Mojave Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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8
Continue on CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
5.6 mi · 6 min · CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight left
4.3 mi · 5 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue
1307 ft · 39 sec
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12
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
6.2 mi · 10 min · Sierra Avenue
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13
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ridgecrest 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.
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
66.7 mi · 01h 21m
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 Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest to Fontana?
The road trip is about 116.7 miles (187.8 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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?
Boron is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.5 miles from Ridgecrest and 58.3 miles from Fontana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 106.6 miles (171.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:42 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.77 one way or $47.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ridgecrest and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Fontana.
Stop Ideas Near Boron
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 Boron.
Mojave, California
Lancaster, California
Barstow Harvey House
Barstow (Bus), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ridgecrest and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 106.57 mi (171.51 km).
#1 Ridgecrest
City in California
| Population | 29,135 |
| Coordinates | 35.6224600, -117.6709000 |
| Altitude | 698 |
| 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: 188 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $23.77 | $47.54 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $24.99 | $49.98 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $25.72 | $51.44 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $31.18 | $62.35 |
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.