Origin
Riverside, CA
Afternoon in Riverside on Sunday
Local time
12:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverside, CA to Ladera Heights, CA
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
65 mi
105 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 28m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverside, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Ladera Heights, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Riverside to Ladera Heights covers approximately 65 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 23 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the Pomona Freeway and the Santa Monica Freeway, supplemented by Van Buren Boulevard for local connectivity. Budgeting around $15 for fuel should comfortably cover your transit between these two Pacific Coast locations. Since the drive is straightforward, you can easily complete it in one go, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
32.5 miles from Riverside, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused route is defined by a significant 73% highway share, making it a reliable commute across the region. You will encounter a substantial 39.5-mile uninterrupted stretch while navigating the Pomona Freeway, which sets the pace for the majority of the journey. Expect a transition from the suburban feel of Riverside to the more congested arterial roads as you approach the Los Angeles basin. While the drive is efficient, the road’s personality shifts from open highway cruising to the heavy traffic patterns synonymous with the Santa Monica Freeway. Keep your focus sharp, as the highway sections demand consistent attention throughout the transition.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pomona Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 39.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pomona Freeway and Santa Monica 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.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 65 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 28.2 miles (CA 57 / Orange Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.3 miles (CA 60A): 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
28.2 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
CA 57 / Orange Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57 / Orange Freeway toward CA 57 South, CA 60 Alt West: Santa Ana, Brea Canyon Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 57 South, CA 60 Alt West: Santa Ana,...
7
28.3 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
CA 60A
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 60A toward CA 60 Alt West: Brea Canyon Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 60 Alt West: Brea Canyon Road
8
55.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
I 10 / Santa Monica Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / Santa Monica Freeway toward Hoover Street, Vermont Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Hoover Street, Vermont Avenue
8
60.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward Culver City, Washington Boulevard, Fairfax Avenue
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 7B
Toward Culver City, Washington Boulevard, Fairf...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Riverside, CA to Ladera Heights, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Culver City along the way.
Culver City
60.5 mi in
|
~1h 14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pomona Freeway | 39.5 mi | 45m |
| Santa Monica Freeway | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| Van Buren Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Central Avenue | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| South La Cienega Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| CA 60A | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| Bedford Avenue | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| South Fairfax Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pomona Freeway
— 39.5 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside, CA and Ladera Heights, 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 none lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward CA 60 West
8
Merge onto CA 60
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Pomona Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57
405 ft
·
5 sec
·
Orange Freeway
Toward CA 57 South, CA 60 Alt West: Santa Ana, Brea Canyon Road
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 60A
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
CA 60A
Toward CA 60 Alt West: Brea Canyon Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 60
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pomona Freeway
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 60
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Pomona Freeway
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 60
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Pomona Freeway
Use the none lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 60
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Pomona Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on CA 60
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Pomona Freeway
Exit 1A
Toward I 10 West: Santa Monica
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 10
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Santa Monica Freeway
Use the none lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Santa Monica Freeway
Toward Hoover Street, Vermont Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 7B
Toward Culver City, Washington Boulevard, Fairfax Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto West Washington Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Washington Boulevard
Use the none lane.
20
Turn left onto South Fairfax Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Fairfax Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto South La Cienega Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
South La Cienega Boulevard
Use the none lane.
22
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto West Slauson Avenue
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
West Slauson Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto South Sherbourne Drive
402 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Sherbourne Drive
25
Turn left onto West 57th Street
319 ft
·
16 sec
·
West 57th Street
26
Turn right onto Bedford Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Bedford Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 23 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always wise when navigating major Southern California freeways. Since there are zero planned stops in the itinerary, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you hit the road to keep your $15 budget on track. The primary challenge on this route is the heavy highway usage, so be prepared for potential slowdowns on the Pomona and Santa Monica freeways. A smart strategy is to check real-time traffic conditions on the Pomona Freeway before you leave, as this 39.5-mile segment is the backbone of your trip and the most likely area for delays.
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 32.5 miles from Riverside, CA, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.5 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 65 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.5 miles or 42m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ladera Heights, 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 65 miles and 1h 23m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Pomona Freeway for about 39.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.5 mi from Riverside, CA · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.5 miles from Riverside, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ladera Heights, CA
The final approach into Ladera Heights, 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 Ladera Heights, 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
$15.05 one way
$30.10 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $15.52 | $31.05 |
| premium | $6.24 | $15.98 | $31.95 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.44 | $28.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.82 | $3.12 |
| Efficient EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.69 | $2.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26 | 0 | $9.10 | $4.16 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Ladera Heights, CA
Afternoon in Ladera Heights on Sunday
Local time
12:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°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
3 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
1h 23m 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 Ladera Heights, CA covers 65 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pomona Freeway, Santa Monica Freeway, Van Buren Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.5 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 $15.05 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 is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 65 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 28.2 miles (CA 57 / Orange Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.3 miles (CA 60A): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Riverside, CA to Ladera Heights, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Culver City along the way.
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