Origin
Glendale, CA
Afternoon in Glendale on Sunday
Local time
2:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Glendale, CA to Riverside, CA
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
57.3 mi
92 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Glendale, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Riverside, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Glendale to Riverside, expect a straightforward 57.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 17 minutes. This highway-focused route stays entirely within the Pacific Coast region, making it an efficient day trip that requires no overnight stay. You should budget approximately $13 for fuel to complete the drive. Because the trip is relatively short and direct, you can easily complete it in a single afternoon or morning. It is a practical choice for those who need to move between these two California cities without the hassle of a multi-day itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
28.7 miles from Glendale, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
You will spend about 73% of your time on the highway, ensuring a consistent pace as you transition between major thoroughfares. The journey relies on a combination of the Foothill Freeway, the Pomona Freeway, and Van Buren Boulevard to reach your destination. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch during an 18.4-mile segment on the Foothill Freeway. While the drive is functional and focused on speed, the shift from freeway transit to local roads like Van Buren Boulevard marks the final approach into Riverside. Expect a standard interstate-style experience that prioritizes efficiency over meandering backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 18.4 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 early in the drive near East Colorado Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 57.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Colorado Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 25.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Colorado Street
Turn right onto East Colorado Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward CA 134 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward CA 134 East
7
25.4 mi into trip
|
~31m 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
29.4 mi into trip
|
~37m 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
8
47 mi into trip
|
~1h 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 | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Pomona Freeway | 12 mi | 13m |
| Van Buren Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Ventura Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| Central Avenue | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Orange Freeway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Chino Valley Freeway | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| East Broadway | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Foothill Freeway
— 18.4 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glendale, CA and Riverside, CA.
1
Start on South Brand Boulevard
43 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Brand Boulevard
2
Turn right
211 ft
·
17 sec
3
Turn right onto East Colorado Street
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
East Colorado Street
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left onto South Glendale Avenue
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
South Glendale Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto East Broadway
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Broadway
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto Harvey Drive
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Harvey Drive
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward CA 134 East
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto CA 134
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 210
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the slight left / none lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 44A
Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on CA 57
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Orange Freeway
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 22C
Toward CA 71: Corona
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on CA 71
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Chino Valley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Toward CA 60 East: Riverside
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto CA 60
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Pomona Freeway
Use the none lane.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42
Toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Mission Boulevard
19
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Van Buren Boulevard
Use the none lane.
20
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn sharp right
171 ft
·
12 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 17-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. You do not need to worry about planning formal stops, as the distance is short enough to drive in one sitting without fatigue. Keep your eyes on the transition points between the freeways, especially as you navigate the shift toward Van Buren Boulevard. Since your fuel cost is estimated at $13, filling up your tank before you leave Glendale will ensure you arrive in Riverside without needing to hunt for a pump mid-route. Use the brevity of the trip to your advantage by planning your arrival to match your specific needs rather than worrying about rest breaks.
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 28.7 miles from Glendale, CA, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.4 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 57.3 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 28.7 miles or 36m 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 3m
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 Glendale, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Glendale, CA
This is one driving day of about 57.3 miles and 1h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Glendale, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Foothill Freeway for about 18.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.7 mi from Glendale, CA · 36m 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 57.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.7 miles from Glendale, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Riverside, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.27 one way
$26.54 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $13.68 | $27.37 |
| premium | $6.24 | $14.08 | $28.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.73 | $25.46 |
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 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.02 | $2.75 |
| Efficient EV | 14.3 | 0 | $5.01 | $2.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.02 | $3.67 |
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
Afternoon in Riverside on Sunday
Local time
2:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°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
23 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 17m 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 Glendale, CA to Riverside, CA covers 57.3 miles and takes about 1h 17m 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 28.7 miles from Glendale, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.27 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 57.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Colorado Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 25.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Glendale, CA to Riverside, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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