How far is Santa Maria, CA from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Maria, CA to Fontana, CA is about 75.3 miles (121.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 65.2 miles (105 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 12m 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 36m.
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.
A city in Los Angeles 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 Maria and Fontana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Maria and Fontana.
-
1
Start on Santa Maria Road
3083 ft · 2 min · Santa Maria Road
-
2
Continue on Mulholland Drive
1.1 mi · 3 min · Mulholland Drive
-
3
Turn right onto Alhama Drive
130 m · 16 sec · Alhama Drive
-
4
Turn left onto Golondrina Street
809 ft · 36 sec · Golondrina Street
-
5
Turn right onto Saltillo Street
2534 ft · 1 min · Saltillo Street
-
6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Canoga Avenue
2207 ft · 1 min · Canoga Avenue
-
7
Turn right onto Dumetz Road
2440 ft · 1 min · Dumetz Road
-
8
At the end of the road, turn left onto Serrania Avenue
2770 ft · 1 min · Serrania Avenue
-
9
Continue on De Soto Avenue
141 m · 14 sec · De Soto Avenue
-
10
Take the ramp right toward US 101 South: Ventura Freeway, Los Angeles
1490 ft · 22 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
11.9 mi · 14 min · Ventura Freeway
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Ventura Freeway
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Ventura Freeway
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
-
19
Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway
17.9 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
-
20
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway
-
21
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
-
23
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
16.1 mi · 19 min · Foothill Freeway
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue
1796 ft · 46 sec
-
26
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3 mi · 5 min · Sierra Avenue
-
27
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
63 m · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Maria 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.
Foothill Freeway
Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway
17.9 mi · 00h 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 Maria 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 Maria to Fontana?
The road trip is about 75.3 miles (121.2 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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?
Arcadia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.6 miles from Santa Maria and 37.7 miles from Fontana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 65.2 miles (105 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 3:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.35 one way or $30.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Maria and Sunny near Fontana.
Stop Ideas Near Arcadia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Your Home Away From Home
Ayres Suites Diamond Bar
City Hall Park Center
El Monte City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Arcadia.
Pasadena, California
Glendale Transportation Center
Los Angeles Union Station
La Crescenta, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Maria and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 65.24 mi (104.99 km).
#1 Santa Maria
The third most populous city in Santa Barbara County, California.
| Population | 105,851 |
| Coordinates | 34.1314000, -118.5745300 |
| Altitude | 426 |
| 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: 121 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $15.35 | $30.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $16.14 | $32.27 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $16.61 | $33.21 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $20.13 | $40.26 |
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.