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Trip from North Hollywood, CA to Riverside, CA

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

1h 26m

Distance

66.1 mi

106 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min
4 AM
1h 20m ★
6 AM
1h 26m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown North Hollywood, CA, CA

North Hollywood, CA

Abhishek Navlakha

county seat of Riverside County, California, United States

Riverside, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from North Hollywood, CA to Riverside, CA covers 66.1 miles and takes about 1h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Foothill Freeway, Ventura Freeway, Pomona Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 18.4 miles on Foothill Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.19 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 26m. Total distance: 66.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 26m highway drive covering 66.1 miles, with most of the trip on Foothill Freeway and Ventura Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 18.4 miles on Foothill Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 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 Ventura Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.1 miles you will encounter 22 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 0.9 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.9 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward CA 170 South: Los Angeles

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Toward CA 170 South: Los Angeles
7
1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward CA 134: Ventura Freeway, Pasadena

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. Toward CA 134: Ventura Freeway, Pasadena
7
34.2 mi into trip | ~41m 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
38.2 mi into trip | ~46m 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
55.8 mi into trip | ~1h 9m 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
Ventura Freeway 14 mi 16m
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
Tujunga Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Foothill Freeway — 18.4 mi, about 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Hollywood, CA and Riverside, CA.

1

Start on Tujunga Avenue

238 ft · 11 sec · Tujunga Avenue
2

Turn left

111 ft · 14 sec
3

Turn left onto Lankershim Boulevard

260 ft · 8 sec · Lankershim Boulevard
4

Turn slight right onto Tujunga Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Tujunga Avenue
5

Turn right onto Magnolia Boulevard

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Magnolia Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward CA 170 South: Los Angeles
7

Merge onto CA 170

0.4 mi · 28 sec · Hollywood Freeway
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward CA 134: Ventura Freeway, Pasadena Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto CA 134

0.5 mi · 31 sec · Ventura Freeway
10

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134

1.4 mi · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134

1.0 mi · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134

1.0 mi · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134

2.2 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134

0.7 mi · 51 sec · Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134

7.2 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 210

18 mi · 20 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210

0.5 mi · 32 sec · Foothill Freeway
18

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 44A Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana Use the slight right lane.
19

Continue on CA 57

3.2 mi · 3 min · Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 2 min
Exit 22C Toward CA 71: Corona Use the slight right lane.
21

Continue on CA 71

3.1 mi · 3 min · Chino Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

1.4 mi · 2 min
Toward CA 60 East: Riverside Use the slight right lane.
23

Merge onto CA 60

12 mi · 13 min · Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 42 Toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Mission Boulevard
26

Continue on Van Buren Boulevard

6.1 mi · 8 min · Van Buren Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
27

Turn left onto Central Avenue

3.6 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
28

Turn sharp right

171 ft · 12 sec
29

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 33.1 mi from North Hollywood, CA · 40m into the drive

city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pomona, CA

33 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.

Popular next leg

Pomona, CA to Riverside, CA

25.1 mi · 35m

Pacing Suggestions

Los Angeles, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Covina, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 33.1 miles from North Hollywood, 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

$15.19 one way

$30.39 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $15.66 $31.31
premium $6.18 $16.07 $32.15
diesel $5.61 $14.59 $29.19

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$15

Estimated CO2 emission: 23.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 19.8 0 $6.94 $3.17
Efficient EV 16.5 0 $5.78 $2.64
EV Truck/SUV 26.4 0 $9.25 $4.23

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 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.

Forecast as of Apr 11, 2026

Origin

North Hollywood, CA

Night in North Hollywood on Thursday

Local time

10:09 PM

PDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Riverside, CA

Night in Riverside on Thursday

Local time

10:09 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

2 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 26m 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 North Hollywood, CA to Riverside, CA covers 66.1 miles and takes about 1h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Foothill Freeway, Ventura Freeway, Pomona Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.1 miles from North Hollywood, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.19 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 66.1 miles you will encounter 22 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 0.9 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from North Hollywood, CA to Riverside, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Riverside, CA to North Hollywood, CA

Plan the drive back the other way.

65.3 mi 1h 24m

Explore more options from North Hollywood, CA or browse trips ending in Riverside, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.