Origin
Big Bear City, CA
Evening in Big Bear City on Thursday
Local time
8:31 PM
PDT
Current temp
30°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Bear City, CA to Riverside, CA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 33m
Distance
58.4 mi
94 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Bear City, CA
I.E Mike
Riverside, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 58.4-mile drive from Big Bear City, CA to Riverside, CA takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You'll navigate primarily on Steve Faris Memorial Highway, Rim of the World Highway, and the Riverside Freeway. With a projected fuel cost of around $13, this is an affordable journey. The route offers a mixed driving experience, making it a straightforward connection between two points within the Pacific Coast region. It’s a practical option for a quick transition between mountain and valley environments.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
29.2 miles from Big Bear City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 58.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
The drive features a 33% highway share, meaning you'll experience a blend of road types. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 14.8 miles on Steve Faris Memorial Highway, offering a consistent segment before the road characteristics change. Expect a mixed drive profile, transitioning from more winding or local road sections to faster freeway travel as you approach Riverside. This variety keeps the driving engaging without being overly demanding, allowing you to appreciate the changing landscapes without constant braking or accelerating.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Steve Faris Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 14.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.6 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 58.4 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 36.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.1 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 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
36.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
5
37.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Merge onto CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
42.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 215 South: Riverside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 75B
Toward I 215 South: Riverside
7
44 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 215 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 215 South
8
57.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward Central Avenue, Riverside Plaza 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 62
Toward Central Avenue, Riverside Plaza Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Faris Memorial Highway | 14.8 mi | 25m |
| Rim of the World Highway | 10.2 mi | 18m |
| Riverside Freeway | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| East Big Bear Boulevard | 5.3 mi | 10m |
| Foothill Freeway | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| San Bernardino Freeway | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Big Bear Boulevard | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| Hilltop Boulevard | 2.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Steve Faris Memorial Highway
— 14.8 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Bear City, CA and Riverside, CA.
1
Start on CA 38
5.3 mi
·
10 min
·
East Big Bear Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on CA 18
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Big Bear Boulevard
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on CA 18
501 ft
·
9 sec
·
Big Bear Bridge
4
Continue on CA 18
10 mi
·
18 min
·
Rim of the World Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on CA 18
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Hilltop Boulevard
6
Continue on CA 330
15 mi
·
25 min
·
Steve Faris Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
Toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto CA 210
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 75B
Toward I 215 South: Riverside
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CA 259
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 259
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 215 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 215
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 215
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 91
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Riverside Freeway
Exit 34B
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 62
Toward Central Avenue, Riverside Plaza Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto Central Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn slight left
171 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 33 minutes, there's no need to split this trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Plan for a single fuel stop if your vehicle's range is less than the total distance, though at $13 in fuel cost, it's an economical leg. The longest stretch on Steve Faris Memorial Highway is a good point to gauge your progress. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential early rush hour congestion as you get closer to Riverside.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 29.2 miles from Big Bear City, CA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 13 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.2 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverside, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Big Bear City, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Big Bear City, CA
This is one driving day of about 58.4 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Big Bear City, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Steve Faris Memorial Highway for about 14.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.2 mi from Big Bear City, CA · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.2 miles from Big Bear City, 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
$13.42 one way
$26.85 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $13.83 | $27.66 |
| premium | $6.18 | $14.20 | $28.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.89 | $25.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.13 | $2.80 |
| Efficient EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.11 | $2.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.18 | $3.74 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Evening in Riverside on Thursday
Local time
8:31 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
22 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 33m 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 Big Bear City, CA to Riverside, CA covers 58.4 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Steve Faris Memorial Highway, Rim of the World Highway, Riverside Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.2 miles from Big Bear City, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.42 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 58.4 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 36.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.1 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Big Bear City, CA to Riverside, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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