This 403.6-mile drive from Riverside, CA, to Ben Lomond, CA, is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take around 7 hours and 52 minutes of pure driving time. It's designed as a single-day trip, but with only two recommended stops, you'll want to be prepared for a long haul. The majority of this route, 86%, is on highways, so expect a high-speed journey. The estimated fuel cost is approximately $93, making it a moderately expensive trip for gas. This drive primarily traverses the Pacific Coast region of California, offering a consistent pace for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.8 miles from Riverside, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 54m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 52m. Total distance: 403.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 403.6-mile journey, with 86% of the route utilizing major freeways like the Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 182.5 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be ready for extended periods of consistent speed. While primarily a freeway experience, this route is designed to get you between your origin and destination efficiently. The road character remains largely consistent, prioritizing direct travel over varied scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 49 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 182.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Central Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 36 significant decision points across 403.6 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: at 0.1 miles (Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 36 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Central Avenue
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
22.4 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
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 29B
Toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
7
22.6 mi into trip|~30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 71 North: Pomona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 71 North: Pomona
8
50.4 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward I 210 West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26A
Toward I 210 West: Sacramento
7
135.5 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Riverside, CA and Ben Lomond, CA, road signs point toward Pomona, Hollister, San Jose and Santa Cruz.
Pomona
22.4 mi in|~30m
Hollister
318 mi in|~5h 59m
San Jose
318 mi in|~5h 59m
Santa Cruz
363.8 mi in|~6h 55m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
182.5 mi
3h 15m
Foothill Freeway
43.9 mi
50m
I 5 Truck
37.1 mi
42m
CA 152
36.1 mi
43m
Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi
25m
Cabrillo Highway
13.8 mi
15m
Pomona Freeway
12.1 mi
13m
Riverside Road
9.5 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 182.5 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside, CA and Ben Lomond, CA.
1
Start on this road
181 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn right
94 ft·7 sec
3
Turn right onto Magnolia Avenue
228 ft·14 sec·Magnolia Avenue
4
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.5 mi·6 min·Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi·8 min·Van Buren Boulevard
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on Mission Boulevard
0.3 mi·24 sec·Mission Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward CA 60 West
8
Merge onto CA 60
12 mi·13 min·Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 29BToward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, PomonaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 71 North: PomonaUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto CA 71
3.5 mi·4 min·Chino Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward CA 57 North
14
Continue on CA 57
3.4 mi·3 min·CA 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 25CToward I 210 West: Pasadena
16
Merge onto I 210
18 mi·21 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
26 mi·29 min·Foothill Freeway
Exit 26AToward I 210 West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 5 Truck
1.0 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
183 mi·3 hr 15 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 403BToward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
24
Continue on CA 152; CA33
29 mi·33 min·CA 152; CA33
Use the straight lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152
7.4 mi·10 min·CA 152
26
Turn left onto CR G7
3.2 mi·4 min·Bloomfield Avenue
27
At end of road, turn right onto CA 25
0.9 mi·1 min·Bloomfield Avenue
28
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·15 sec
29
Merge onto US 101
2.9 mi·3 min·South Valley Freeway
30
Continue on US 101
2.3 mi·2 min·El Camino Real
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·18 sec
Exit 347Toward CA 129 West: Watsonville, Santa Cruz
32
Turn right onto CA 129
2.5 mi·3 min·Chittenden Road
33
Continue on CA 129
8.6 mi·11 min·Riverside Road
34
Enter roundabout onto CA 129
144 ft·2 sec·Riverside Road
35
Continue on CA 129
0.9 mi·1 min·Riverside Road
36
Turn right onto Blackburn Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Blackburn Street
37
At end of road, turn left onto CA 152
0.5 mi·54 sec·East Lake Avenue
38
Turn right onto CA 152
0.3 mi·30 sec·Main Street
39
Turn left onto CA 152
1.6 mi·2 min·Main Street
40
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
41
Merge onto CA 1
14 mi·15 min·Cabrillo Highway
42
Take the exit
0.4 mi·28 sec
Toward CA 17 North: San Jose, Oakland
43
Merge onto CA 17
3.0 mi·3 min·Santa Cruz Highway
Use the straight lane.
44
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward Mount Hermon Road
45
Continue on CA 17 Business
3.8 mi·7 min·Mount Hermon Road
Use the straight lane.
46
Turn right onto Graham Hill Road
0.2 mi·34 sec·Graham Hill Road
47
Turn right onto CA 9
2.9 mi·6 min·Highway 9
48
Turn right onto Glen Arbor Road
0.1 mi·17 sec·Glen Arbor Road
49
Arrive at destination
Glen Arbor Road
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour, 52-minute estimated duration, starting your drive early in the morning from Riverside is highly recommended to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. With only two stops factored in, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the 182.5-mile mark on the Westside Freeway, to manage fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the long stretches, and aim to refuel before you enter extended highway segments. This route is best tackled in one day, but having some flexibility in your schedule will make the journey more comfortable.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.8 miles from Riverside, CA, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.5 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 89 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.8 miles or 3h 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 6h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ben Lomond, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Riverside, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Riverside, CA
This is one driving day of about 403.6 miles and 7h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Riverside, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 182.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 201.8 mi from Riverside, CA
· 3h 54m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 83.5
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 139.2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.1
1
$42.38
$19.37
Efficient EV
100.9
1
$35.32
$16.14
EV Truck/SUV
161.4
2
$56.50
$25.83
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Riverside, CA
Night
in Riverside on Thursday
Local time
10:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ben Lomond, CA
Night
in Ben Lomond on Thursday
Local time
10:29 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 52m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Riverside, CA to Ben Lomond, CA covers 403.6 miles and takes about 7h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, I 5 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 201.8 miles from Riverside, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $92.76 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 36 significant decision points across 403.6 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: at 0.1 miles (Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Riverside, CA and Ben Lomond, CA, road signs point toward Pomona, Hollister, San Jose and Santa Cruz.
