Origin
Riverside, CA
Afternoon in Riverside on Thursday
Local time
2:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverside, CA to Bishop, CA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 11m
Distance
260 mi
419 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Good
7 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 58m
★
6 AM
5h 12m
8 AM
5h 39m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 19m
3 PM
5h 23m
5 PM
5h 38m
8 PM
5h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverside, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Bishop, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
This 260-mile journey from Riverside, CA to Bishop, CA will take approximately 5 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Blue Star Memorial Highway, and the Barstow and Mojave Freeway, this route is best suited as a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $60, you'll find this drive to be a turn-heavy local experience rather than a monotonous interstate grind. You'll spend about 13% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 104.5 miles on the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Consider this a manageable drive for a single day, offering a direct path through California.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
130 miles from Riverside, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 260 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (13%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a driving experience that leans towards a turn-heavy local feel, with only 13% of the journey on high-speed highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 104.5 miles along the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. This means you'll be navigating a variety of road types, moving from wider freeways to potentially more winding local roads as you progress toward Bishop. The character of the drive will likely shift, requiring your attention to be on the road and its changing conditions.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Grand Army of the Republic Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 104.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
4,148 ft
829 ft
Total Climb
5,586 ft
Total Descent
2,266 ft
Highest Point
4,148 ft
~260 mi in
Elevation Range
3,319 ft
Notable High Points
4,061 ft at ~37.1 miles
+1,279 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 11m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (CA 91 / Riverside Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward CA 91 East: San Bernardino
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 91 East: San Bernardino
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CA 91 / Riverside Freeway
Merge onto CA 91 / Riverside Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
24 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
39.4 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 141
Toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
3
39.7 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Continue toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 141
Toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Army of the Republic Highway | 104.5 mi | 2h 2m |
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 103.3 mi | 2h 3m |
| Barstow and Mojave Freeway | 9.7 mi | 10m |
| Barstow Freeway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| Riverside Freeway | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| San Bernardino Freeway | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway | 5.4 mi | 5m |
| El Camino Sierra | 5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
— 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside, CA and Bishop, CA.
1
Start on this road
87 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn slight right onto Central Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward CA 91 East: San Bernardino
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto CA 91
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 215
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 215
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Barstow Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
8
Continue on I 15
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist; US 91 Hist; US 395 Hist
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 141
Toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
12
Continue on this road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 141
Toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
13
Continue on US 395
67 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 395
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Red Mountain Road
15
Continue on US 395
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
South Main Street
18
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Edwards Street
20
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
26 mi
·
31 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Main Street
22
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
23
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
El Camino Sierra
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto May Street
54 ft
·
2 sec
·
May Street
26
Arrive at destination
May Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 11-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Riverside to maximize your daylight hours and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to decide when and where to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 104.5 miles on the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, as services might be spaced out. The $60 fuel cost is an estimate, so be prepared for slight variations. This route is manageable in one day, so you can enjoy the drive without feeling rushed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 130 miles from Riverside, CA, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bishop, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Riverside, CA
This is one driving day of about 260 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Riverside, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Grand Army of the Republic Highway for about 104.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 130 mi from Riverside, CA · 2h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 130 miles from Riverside, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Grand Army of the Republic Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.5 miles.
Arriving in Bishop, CA
The final approach into Bishop, 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 Bishop, CA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.21 one way
$120.42 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $62.09 | $124.19 |
| premium | $6.24 | $63.90 | $127.81 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $57.76 | $115.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
EV Charging Along Route
7 DC fast chargers · Coverage: good
Mission Square Parking Garage - Tesla Supercharger
Riverside, CA
Tesla
24 DCFC
Hyatt Place Riverside
Riverside, CA
EVCS
3 DCFC
US Bank Riverside
Riverside, CA
EVCS
2 DCFC
G&M OIL CHEVRON#29
Riverside, CA
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
AMPM ARCO CENTRAL 1
Riverside, CA
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
AMPM ARCO CENTRAL 2
Riverside, CA
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
AMPM ARCO ALESSANDRO 1
Riverside, CA
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 4
EVCS: 2
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78 | 0 | $27.30 | $12.48 |
| Efficient EV | 65 | 0 | $22.75 | $10.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104 | 1 | $36.40 | $16.64 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Bishop, CA
Afternoon in Bishop on Thursday
Local time
2:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°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
14 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
5h 11m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Bishop, CA covers 260 miles and takes about 5h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Blue Star Memorial Highway, Barstow and Mojave Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 130 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 $60.21 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 11m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (CA 91 / Riverside Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Riverside, CA to Bishop, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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