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Trip from Northridge, CA to San Bernardino, CA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 38m

Distance

80.1 mi

129 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 31m ★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 43m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 34m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Northridge, CA, CA

Northridge, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Northridge, CA to San Bernardino, CA covers 80.1 miles and takes about 1h 38m 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, San Diego Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 48.1 miles on Foothill Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.41 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

40 miles from Northridge, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 80.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 38m highway drive covering 80.1 miles, with most of the trip on Foothill Freeway and Ventura Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 48.1 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 48.1 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 8.1 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 80.1 miles you will encounter 25 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 8.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

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

8
8.1 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward US 101 South, US 101 North: Los Angeles, Ventura

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 63B Toward US 101 South, US 101 North: Los Angeles,...
7
8.2 mi into trip | ~13m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 101 South: Los Angeles, Ventura Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles, Ventura Freew...
8
76.1 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Take the exit toward I 215: Barstow, Riverside

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 74 Toward I 215: Barstow, Riverside
8
76.3 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 215 South: Riverside

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 74 Toward I 215 South: Riverside
8
79 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in

Take the exit toward CA 66 West: 5th Street, Civic Center

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 44A Toward CA 66 West: 5th Street, Civic Center

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Northridge, CA and San Bernardino, CA, road signs point toward San Diego Freeway South and Ventura.

San Diego Freeway South

4.1 mi in | ~8m

Ventura

8.1 mi in | ~13m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Foothill Freeway 48.1 mi 55m
Ventura Freeway 19.5 mi 22m
San Diego Freeway 3.8 mi 4m
Parthenia Street 3 mi 5m
San Bernardino Freeway 1.8 mi 2m
West 5th Street 0.8 mi 1m
Roscoe Boulevard 0.6 mi 1m
Woodley Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Foothill Freeway — 48.1 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Northridge, CA and San Bernardino, CA.

1

Start on Parthenia Street

148 ft · 31 sec · Parthenia Street
2

Continue on Parthenia Street

3.0 mi · 5 min · Parthenia Street
3

Turn right onto Woodley Avenue

0.5 mi · 59 sec · Woodley Avenue
4

Turn left onto Roscoe Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Roscoe Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 405 South: Santa Monica, San Diego Freeway South
6

Merge onto I 405

3.8 mi · 4 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Exit 63B Toward US 101 South, US 101 North: Los Angeles, Ventura Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles, Ventura Freeway
9

Merge onto US 101

5.0 mi · 5 min · Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 134

0.9 mi · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
Toward CA 134 East: Pasadena Use the slight left lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134

1.4 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

1.0 mi · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134

2.2 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134

0.7 mi · 51 sec · Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134

7.2 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Merge onto I 210

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

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210

2.9 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.4 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

23 mi · 26 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 74 Toward I 215: Barstow, Riverside Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 74 Toward I 215 South: Riverside Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25

Merge onto I 215

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Barstow Freeway
26

Continue on I 215

1.8 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
27

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 44A Toward CA 66 West: 5th Street, Civic Center Use the slight right lane.
28

Turn left onto CA 66

0.8 mi · 1 min · West 5th Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
29

Arrive at destination

West 5th Street

Trip Plan

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 40 miles from Northridge, CA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.1 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 18 miles or 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 40 miles or 50m 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 San Bernardino, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Northridge, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Northridge, CA

This is one driving day of about 80.1 miles and 1h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Northridge, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Foothill Freeway for about 48.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 40 mi from Northridge, CA · 50m into the drive

Downtown los-angeles-ca

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Los Angeles, CA

40 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

Los Angeles, CA to San Bernardino, CA

59.8 mi · 1h 11m

Pacing Suggestions

Hollywood, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ontario, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40 miles from Northridge, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in San Bernardino, CA

The final approach into San Bernardino, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.41 one way

$36.82 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $18.97 $37.94
premium $6.18 $19.48 $38.96
diesel $5.61 $17.69 $35.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24 0 $8.41 $3.84
Efficient EV 20 0 $7.01 $3.20
EV Truck/SUV 32 0 $11.21 $5.13

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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 10, 2026

Origin

Northridge, CA

Evening in Northridge on Thursday

Local time

5:56 PM

PDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Bernardino, CA

Evening in San Bernardino on Thursday

Local time

5:56 PM

PDT

Current temp

77°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

1 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 38m 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 Northridge, CA to San Bernardino, CA covers 80.1 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Foothill Freeway, Ventura Freeway, San Diego 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 40 miles from Northridge, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.41 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 80.1 miles you will encounter 25 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 8.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Northridge, CA and San Bernardino, CA, road signs point toward San Diego Freeway South and Ventura.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

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