How far is Salida, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance from Salida, CA to Fontana, CA is about 364 miles (585.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 322.6 miles (519.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 06h 51m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in Kern County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salida and Fontana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salida and Fontana.
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1
Start on Broadway Avenue
1421 ft · 45 sec · Broadway Avenue
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2
Take the ramp right
1716 ft · 44 sec
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3
Merge slight left
100.6 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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4
Keep slight left
41 mi · 44 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway
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6
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: Pasadena
1347 ft · 18 sec
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11
Continue on Foothill Freeway
24.4 mi · 28 min · Foothill Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
19.1 mi · 22 min · Foothill Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
16.1 mi · 19 min · Foothill Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue
1796 ft · 46 sec
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19
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3 mi · 5 min · Sierra Avenue
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20
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salida and Fontana.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Broadway Avenue
Merge slight left
101 mi · 01h 55m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny leaving Salida 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 Salida to Fontana?
The road trip is about 364 miles (585.8 km) and usually takes 06h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
McFarland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 182.1 miles from Salida and 181.9 miles from Fontana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 322.6 miles (519.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.4 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 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $74.07 one way or $148.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 114.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny around Salida and Mostly Sunny near Fontana.
Stop Ideas Near McFarland
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 McFarland.
Wasco station
Bakersfield
Corcoran station
Visalia, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salida and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 322.53 mi (519.06 km).
#1 Salida
City in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 13,722 |
| Coordinates | 37.7057600, -121.0849400 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| 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: 586 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $74.07 | $148.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $77.89 | $155.77 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $80.16 | $160.32 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $97.16 | $194.32 |
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.