If you’ve lived in the Inland Empire for more than a week, you know the stretch of the I-10 between San Bernardino to Ontario CA isn’t just a commute. It’s a gauntlet. It’s roughly 20 miles of asphalt that can take twenty minutes or two hours depending on whether a semi-truck decided to merge poorly near Fontana. Most people think they know the route, but honestly, there are layers to this drive—and the transit options—that most locals completely overlook because they’re too busy staring at the brake lights in front of them.
Traffic sucks. Everyone knows it.
But getting from the heart of San Bernardino over to the Ontario International Airport (ONT) or the Ontario Mills mall requires more than just opening Google Maps and hoping for the best. You've got to understand the rhythm of the 10, the 210, and the Metrolink lines that actually make this corridor one of the busiest logistical hubs in the United States.
The Reality of the Drive from San Bernardino to Ontario CA
Most days, you’re looking at a 25-minute zip if you leave at 10:00 AM on a Tuesday. But try that same drive at 4:30 PM on a Friday. You'll basically be parked on the freeway. The San Bernardino to Ontario CA route is dominated by the I-10 (San Bernardino Freeway), which is the primary artery for every logistics truck coming out of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
When you're driving west, you're competing with thousands of big rigs heading toward the massive distribution centers in Ontario and Jurupa Valley. It’s a heavy-duty environment.
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Why the I-10 isn't always your friend
The I-10 is the most direct path. It takes you past the Santa Ana River and through Rialto. However, the interchange at the I-15 is a notorious bottleneck. If there's an accident at the "Devore Crossover" or down by the 10/15 junction, the whole system locks up.
Smart drivers often look at the SR-210 (Foothill Freeway) as a relief valve. It runs parallel to the north. While it’s technically a few miles longer if you’re heading to south Ontario, the 210 often moves faster because it lacks the same volume of heavy freight trucks that clog the 10. If you’re coming from North San Bernardino—near Cal State San Bernardino—the 210 is almost always the superior choice.
Then there’s the SR-66, the legendary Foothill Boulevard. Don't expect to go fast here. It’s stop-and-go with traffic lights every quarter mile, but if the freeways are a sea of red on your GPS, creeping along the old Route 66 beats sitting stationary on a concrete overpass in the heat.
Taking the Train: Metrolink’s San Bernardino Line
Honestly, why drive?
The Metrolink San Bernardino Line is one of the most successful commuter rail lines in Southern California. It connects the San Bernardino Transit Center directly to the Ontario-East Station.
Here’s the catch: the Ontario-East station isn’t actually at the airport or the mall. It’s located on East Empire Street. If you’re trying to get to ONT airport, you’ll need to hop on an Omnitrans bus or grab an Uber for that last three-mile stretch.
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- Cost: Usually around $6.00 to $9.00 depending on your starting point and discounts.
- Time: About 25 minutes of actual rail time.
- Vibe: You get to skip the I-10 stress and actually check your emails or read.
One thing people get wrong is thinking the Metrolink runs every ten minutes. It doesn't. While frequency has improved, you still need to check the schedule. Missing a train can mean a 30-to-60-minute wait at the station, which isn't exactly how you want to spend your afternoon in the IE sun.
The Bus Route: Omnitrans and the sbX
For the budget-conscious, the bus is a viable, if slow, option. The Omnitrans Route 61 is the workhorse here. It runs along Foothill Blvd and connects San Bernardino to Ontario and eventually out to Pomona.
It’s cheap. It’s reliable. But it’s slow.
If you are starting at the San Bernardino Transit Center, you might take the sbX Green Line (the rapid transit buses with their own dedicated lanes) to get around downtown, then transfer to a westward-bound bus. The sbX is a great example of "Bus Rapid Transit," and honestly, more cities should have it. It feels more like a train than a bus.
Navigating the "Logistics Capital"
Ontario isn't just a suburb; it’s a global hub. Between the Ontario International Airport (ONT) and the massive warehouses for Amazon, FedEx, and UPS, the traffic patterns are dictated by shipping schedules.
When you’re traveling from San Bernardino to Ontario CA, you have to account for the "shift change" at these warehouses. Around 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM, the surface streets near the airport—like Archibald Avenue, Milliken Avenue, and Haven Avenue—get absolutely swamped with workers entering and exiting the facilities.
The Airport Factor
If your goal is catching a flight at ONT, give yourself an extra 40 minutes more than you think you need. Even though ONT is much easier to navigate than LAX (no contest there), the congestion on the 10 freeway can turn a 20-mile trip into a marathon.
The airport itself is located right at the intersection of the 10 and the 15. This is basically the center of the universe for Inland Empire traffic.
Hidden Gems and Stops Along the Way
If you aren't in a rush, the trip from San Bernardino to Ontario has some weirdly cool spots.
- The First McDonald's Site: In San Bernardino (14th and E St), there’s an unofficial museum. It’s quirky and worth a 10-minute stop.
- Ontario Mills: It’s one of the largest shopping malls in North America. Even if you don't like shopping, the sheer scale of the place is something to see.
- Guasti Regional Park: Located right in Ontario, it’s a surprisingly peaceful spot with fishing lakes, sitting right in the shadow of the flight path for the airport.
What Most People Get Wrong About the IE Commute
The biggest misconception is that there is a "secret backway" that always works.
There isn't.
Valley Blvd used to be the secret, running south of the 10. Now, every delivery van and savvy commuter uses it. The real "secret" is timing. If you can move your schedule by just 30 minutes—say, leaving at 9:15 instead of 8:45—you can often save 20 minutes of sitting in idle.
Also, keep an eye on the weather. People in San Bernardino and Ontario drive like the world is ending the second a single raindrop hits the pavement. The I-10 becomes a slip-and-slide for semi-trucks. If it's raining, take the 210 or the train. Just trust me on that.
Strategic Tips for Your Trip
To make the journey from San Bernardino to Ontario CA as painless as possible, you need a plan that accounts for the specific quirks of the East Valley.
- Check the ONT Flight Schedule: If three or four big flights are arriving at once, the rideshare surge prices at the airport will skyrocket, and the surface streets will crawl.
- The 15/10 Interchange: Avoid it if you can. If you're going to Ontario Mills, try taking the 210 to the 15 South, rather than taking the 10 West all the way. It’s often smoother.
- Metrolink App: Download the SoCal511 or the Metrolink app. Buying tickets at the kiosk is for rookies; the app lets you activate your ticket right as the train pulls in.
- Gas Prices: Generally, gas is slightly cheaper in the outlying parts of San Bernardino than it is right next to the Ontario airport. Fill up before you leave the city center if you're trying to save a few bucks.
The Inland Empire is changing fast. What used to be a sleepy drive through orange groves is now a high-stakes trek through one of the most important economic corridors in California. Whether you're heading to work, catching a plane, or hitting the outlets, understanding the flow of the 10 and the alternatives available can save your sanity.
Next Steps for Your Journey:
Before you head out, check the Metrolink San Bernardino Line schedule for the current day to see if it aligns with your arrival time, as mid-day gaps in service are common. If you are driving, use a real-time mapping tool like Waze specifically to monitor the I-10 and I-15 interchange—if it shows a "deep red" delay, immediately pivot to the SR-210 West to save yourself at least 15 minutes of idling. For those heading to Ontario International Airport, confirm your terminal (1 or 2) before you exit the freeway, as the loop around the airport is one-way and can be frustrating to navigate if you miss your turn.