How far is Santa Barbara, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Barbara, CA to Fontana, CA is about 142.8 miles (229.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131.2 miles (211.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 36m 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 48m.
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 third most populous city in Santa Barbara County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Barbara and Fontana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Barbara and Fontana.
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1
Start on Anacapa Street
1573 ft · 1 min · Anacapa Street
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2
Turn left onto East Haley Street
1033 ft · 41 sec · East Haley Street
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3
Turn right onto Garden Street
1104 ft · 43 sec · Garden Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward US 101 South
1014 ft · 25 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
12.2 mi · 14 min · El Camino Real
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6
Continue on Ventura Freeway
70.5 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Ventura Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Ventura Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Ventura Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
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14
Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway
17.9 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
16.1 mi · 19 min · Foothill Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue
1796 ft · 46 sec
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21
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3 mi · 5 min · Sierra Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Barbara 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.
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.
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 Santa Barbara and Sunny near Fontana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Barbara to Fontana?
The road trip is about 142.8 miles (229.8 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?
Santa Maria is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.3 miles from Santa Barbara and 71.5 miles from Fontana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 131.2 miles (211.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.6 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 12:54 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.08 one way or $58.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Barbara and Sunny near Fontana.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Maria
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Beverly Hilton
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
Calabasas City Hall
City of Los Angeles
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Maria.
Westwood-UCLA, CA
Chatsworth station
Van Nuys station
Simi Valley
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Barbara and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 131.22 mi (211.18 km).
#1 Santa Barbara
The most populous city in Santa Barbara County, California.
| Population | 90,254 |
| Coordinates | 34.4208300, -119.6981900 |
| Altitude | 15 |
| 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: 230 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $29.08 | $58.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $30.57 | $61.15 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $31.46 | $62.93 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $38.14 | $76.28 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.