Origin
Riverside, CA
Evening in Riverside on Thursday
Local time
6:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverside, CA to Universal City, CA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 25m
Distance
64.1 mi
103 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 19m
★
6 AM
1h 26m
8 AM
1h 39m
10 AM
1h 30m
12 PM
1h 29m
3 PM
1h 31m
5 PM
1h 38m
8 PM
1h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverside, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Universal City, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
The drive from Riverside, CA to Universal City, CA covers 64.1 miles and takes about 1h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Foothill Freeway, Pomona Freeway, Ventura Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 18.3 miles on Foothill Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.73 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 25m. Total distance: 64.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 25m highway drive covering 64.1 miles, with most of the trip on Foothill Freeway and Pomona Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 18.3 miles on Foothill Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Foothill Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 18.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Foothill Freeway and Pomona Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.1 miles you will encounter 32 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 58.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 32 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
7
58.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles, Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles,...
9
58.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Z...
8
59 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 134: Ventura
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 134: Ventura
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 Universal City, CA, road signs point toward Pomona, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Ventura.
Pomona
22.4 mi in
|
~30m
Los Angeles
58.3 mi in
|
~1h 14m
Sacramento
58.3 mi in
|
~1h 14m
Ventura
58.7 mi in
|
~1h 15m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Foothill Freeway | 18.3 mi | 21m |
| Pomona Freeway | 12.1 mi | 13m |
| Ventura Freeway | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| Van Buren Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Central Avenue | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Chino Valley Freeway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| CA 57 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Olive Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Foothill Freeway
— 18.3 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside, CA and Universal City, 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 left at fork onto CA 134
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles, Sacramento
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
323 ft
·
4 sec
Toward I 5 North, CA 134 West: Golden State Freeway, Sacramento, Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
Toward CA 134: Ventura
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto CA 134
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Ventura Freeway
25
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
Ventura Freeway
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 2
Toward Hollywood Burbank Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn left onto West Alameda Avenue
443 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Alameda Avenue
Use the left lane.
29
Turn left onto North Hollywood Way
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
North Hollywood Way
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on North Hollywood Way
174 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Hollywood Way
31
Turn right onto Olive Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Olive Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on Barham Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Barham Boulevard
Use the right lane.
33
Turn right onto Lakeside Plaza Drive
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Lakeside Plaza Drive
Use the right lane.
34
Continue on River Road
526 ft
·
28 sec
·
River Road
35
Turn left onto James Stewart Avenue
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
James Stewart Avenue
36
Turn left
33 ft
·
2 sec
37
Turn slight right
296 ft
·
22 sec
38
Turn left onto Cylon Drive
201 ft
·
15 sec
·
Cylon Drive
39
Turn right
83 ft
·
9 sec
40
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32 mi from Riverside, CA · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32 miles from Riverside, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Universal City, CA
The final approach into Universal City, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.73 one way
$29.47 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $15.18 | $30.36 |
| premium | $6.18 | $15.59 | $31.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.15 | $28.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$15
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.73 | $3.08 |
| Efficient EV | 16 | 0 | $5.61 | $2.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.97 | $4.10 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Universal City, CA
Evening in Universal City on Thursday
Local time
6:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 25m 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 Universal City, CA covers 64.1 miles and takes about 1h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Foothill Freeway, Pomona Freeway, Ventura Freeway. 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 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 $14.73 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.1 miles you will encounter 32 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 58.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Riverside, CA and Universal City, CA, road signs point toward Pomona, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Ventura.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
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