Origin
Riverside, CA
Morning in Riverside on Wednesday
Local time
10:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverside, CA to Clovis, CA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 18m
Distance
273.2 mi
440 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$63
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 6m
★
6 AM
5h 19m
8 AM
5h 46m
10 AM
5h 28m
12 PM
5h 26m
3 PM
5h 30m
5 PM
5h 45m
8 PM
5h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverside, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Clovis, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 273.2-mile drive from Riverside, CA to Clovis, CA is a solid day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 18 minutes. The route predominantly uses major highways, with 57% of the journey on the Golden State Highway, Golden State Freeway, and Foothill Freeway. With an estimated fuel cost of $63, it's an economical option for a single day's travel. This mixed drive offers a straightforward path through the Pacific Coast region, making it a practical choice for those looking to cover ground efficiently without needing an overnight stay.
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
136.6 miles from Riverside, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with a significant portion, 57%, utilizing major freeways. You'll spend time on the Golden State Highway, Golden State Freeway, and Foothill Freeway, which generally offer higher speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 91.3 miles on the Golden State Highway, indicating periods of consistent travel. While primarily highway driving, the 'mixed drive' profile suggests there might be transitions or sections that feel less like a pure interstate grind, offering some variety as you head north.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Golden State Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 91.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 273.2 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 24 key pointsThese 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
260.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
Take the exit toward Clovis Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 124
Toward Clovis Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Riverside, CA to Clovis, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Pomona along the way.
Pomona
22.4 mi in
|
~30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Highway | 91.3 mi | 1h 37m |
| Golden State Freeway | 55.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| Foothill Freeway | 43.9 mi | 50m |
| I 5 Truck | 37.1 mi | 42m |
| South Clovis Avenue | 12.6 mi | 19m |
| Pomona Freeway | 12.1 mi | 13m |
| Van Buren Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Central Avenue | 3.5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Golden State Highway
— 91.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside, CA and Clovis, 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 29B
Toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward CA 71 North: Pomona
Use 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 25C
Toward 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 26A
Toward I 210 West: Sacramento
Use 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 left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on CA 99
91 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 124
Toward Clovis Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
27
Turn straight onto South Clovis Avenue
13 mi
·
19 min
·
South Clovis Avenue
Use the left / uturn lanes.
28
Turn left onto 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
4th Street
29
Arrive at destination
4th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 18-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Riverside to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you navigate out of the greater Los Angeles area. With a longest stretch of 91.3 miles, plan for one primary stop around the halfway point to refuel and stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $63, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Riverside. Given it's a single-day trip, flexibility is key, but being aware of the major freeway segments like the Golden State Highway will help you anticipate the driving conditions.
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 136.6 miles from Riverside, CA, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.3 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.6 miles or 2h 44m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clovis, 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 273.2 miles and 5h 18m.
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 Golden State Highway for about 91.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 136.6 mi from Riverside, CA · 2h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 136.6 miles from Riverside, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Golden State Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.3 miles.
Arriving in Clovis, CA
The final approach into Clovis, 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 Clovis, 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
$62.79 one way
$125.59 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $64.71 | $129.42 |
| premium | $6.18 | $66.44 | $132.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.32 | $120.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82 | 1 | $28.69 | $13.11 |
| Efficient EV | 68.3 | 0 | $23.90 | $10.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.3 | 1 | $38.25 | $17.48 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Destination
Clovis, CA
Morning in Clovis on Wednesday
Local time
10:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°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
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
5h 18m 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 Clovis, CA covers 273.2 miles and takes about 5h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Golden State Highway, Golden State Freeway, Foothill Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 136.6 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 $62.79 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 demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 273.2 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.
On the drive from Riverside, CA to Clovis, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Pomona along the way.
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