Origin
Riverside, CA
Late night in Riverside on Wednesday
Local time
3:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverside, CA to Imperial, CA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
157.8 mi
254 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverside, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Imperial, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Riverside, CA to Imperial, CA covers 157.8 miles and takes about 3h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on CA 86, Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.4 miles on CA 86. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.27 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.9 miles from Riverside, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 4m highway drive covering 157.8 miles, with most of the trip on CA 86 and Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 78.4 miles on CA 86.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 86 is the longest continuous segment at about 78.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 86 and Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 157.8 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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.5 miles (I 215; CA 60 / Escondido Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 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
8
3.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, Indio
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 65B
Toward I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, Indi...
6
8.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 215; CA 60 / Escondido Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 215; CA 60 / Escondido Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
8.9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
CA 60 / Moreno Valley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 60 / Moreno Valley Freeway toward CA 60 East: Indio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 29
Toward CA 60 East: Indio
8
77.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
CA 86
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 86 toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Centro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Ce...
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 Imperial, CA, road signs point toward Brawley and El Centro.
Brawley
77.8 mi in
|
~1h 28m
|
via CA 86
El Centro
77.8 mi in
|
~1h 28m
|
via CA 86
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 86 | 78.4 mi | 1h 32m |
| Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway | 32.5 mi | 34m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 18.2 mi | 19m |
| Moreno Valley Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Escondido Freeway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Riverside Freeway | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| Moreno Valley Expressway | 2 mi | 2m |
| South Brawley Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
CA 86
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside, CA and Imperial, 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
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 65B
Toward I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, Indio
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto CA 60
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Pomona Freeway
7
Continue on I 215; CA 60
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 215; CA 60
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 60
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Moreno Valley Freeway
Exit 29
Toward CA 60 East: Indio
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CA 60
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Moreno Valley Expressway
11
Continue on CA 60
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Moreno Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 10
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
32 mi
·
34 min
·
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 86
70 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
CA 86
Toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Centro
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto CA 86
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
South 1st Street
16
Continue on CA 86
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Brawley Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left
326 ft
·
18 sec
18
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
46 sec
19
At end of road, turn right
471 ft
·
23 sec
20
Turn left onto CA 86
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
CA 86
21
Turn right onto S28
103 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Barioni Boulevard
22
Arrive at destination
S28
Trip Plan
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 78.9 miles from Riverside, CA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Imperial, 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 157.8 miles and 3h 4m.
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 CA 86 for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.9 mi from Riverside, CA · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 78.9 miles from Riverside, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 miles.
Arriving in Imperial, CA
The final approach into Imperial, 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 Imperial, 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
$36.27 one way
$72.54 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $37.37 | $74.75 |
| premium | $6.18 | $38.38 | $76.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.84 | $69.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.3 | 0 | $16.57 | $7.57 |
| Efficient EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.81 | $6.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.1 | 0 | $22.09 | $10.10 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Imperial, CA
Late night in Imperial on Wednesday
Local time
3:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
87°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
34 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
3h 4m 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 Riverside, CA to Imperial, CA covers 157.8 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 86, Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.9 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 $36.27 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 157.8 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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.5 miles (I 215; CA 60 / Escondido Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Riverside, CA and Imperial, CA, road signs point toward Brawley and El Centro.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Imperial, CA
Explore more options from Riverside, CA or browse trips ending in Imperial, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Riverside, CA or Imperial, CA on MapSof.net.