Origin
Altadena, CA
Night in Altadena on Thursday
Local time
9:04 PM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altadena, CA to Riverside, CA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 12m
Distance
52.3 mi
84 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 6m
★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 15m
3 PM
1h 17m
5 PM
1h 23m
8 PM
1h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altadena, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Riverside, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 52.3-mile drive from Altadena, CA to Riverside, CA takes approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes and is best suited as a single-day trip. You'll navigate primarily on I 210 East and CA 57 South, with a significant portion on local roads as indicated by its turn-heavy profile. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $13. Given the relatively short duration and moderate distance, this route offers a straightforward transit between the Pacific Coast regions of Southern California. It’s a practical option for a quick transfer or a day excursion.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 12m. Total distance: 52.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 52.3-mile trip, rather than a consistent highway experience, as the highway share is 0%. While specific details on the longest uninterrupted stretch are not provided, the profile suggests a route that involves frequent changes in direction and road type. You'll likely experience a dynamic drive that transitions between various local streets and potentially some freeway segments as you make your way towards Riverside. This kind of route often requires more active navigation and awareness of your surroundings.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Foothill Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Foothill Freeway and Pomona Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 20.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
2.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 210 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 210 East
7
20.4 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 44A
Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
7
24.4 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward CA 71: Corona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22C
Toward CA 71: Corona
6
28.7 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward CA 60 East: Riverside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 60 East: Riverside
8
42 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the exit toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42
Toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Foothill Freeway | 17.5 mi | 20m |
| Pomona Freeway | 12 mi | 13m |
| Van Buren Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Central Avenue | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Orange Freeway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Chino Valley Freeway | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| North Lake Avenue | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| Mission Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Foothill Freeway
— 17.5 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altadena, CA and Riverside, CA.
1
Start on North Lake Avenue
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
North Lake Avenue
Use the left lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 210 East
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto I 210
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
Foothill Freeway
5
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 44A
Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
Use the slight right lane.
6
Continue on CA 57
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 22C
Toward CA 71: Corona
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on CA 71
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Chino Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Toward CA 60 East: Riverside
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto CA 60
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42
Toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Mission Boulevard
13
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Van Buren Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn sharp right
171 ft
·
12 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.2 mi from Altadena, CA · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.2 miles from Altadena, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Riverside, CA
The final approach into Riverside, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.02 one way
$24.04 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $12.39 | $24.77 |
| premium | $6.18 | $12.72 | $25.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.55 | $23.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.49 | $2.51 |
| Efficient EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.58 | $2.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.32 | $3.35 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Riverside, CA
Night in Riverside on Thursday
Local time
9:04 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
21 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 12m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Altadena, CA to Riverside, CA covers 52.3 miles and takes about 1h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Foothill Freeway, Pomona Freeway, Van Buren Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.2 miles from Altadena, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.02 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 20.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Altadena, CA to Riverside, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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