Origin
Riverside, CA
Late night in Riverside on Saturday
Local time
1:10 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverside, CA to Buellton, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
191.4 mi
308 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 16m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverside, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Buellton, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
The drive from Riverside, CA to Buellton, CA covers 191.4 miles and takes about 3h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Magnolia Avenue, Central Avenue, Van Buren Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.99 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
95.7 miles from Riverside, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 191.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 50m drive with frequent turns across 191.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Magnolia Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Riverside, CA to Buellton, CA is easy. At 3h 50m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Riverside, CA to Buellton, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Magnolia Avenue | — | — |
| Central Avenue | — | — |
| Van Buren Boulevard | — | — |
| Mission Boulevard | — | — |
| CA 60 West | — | — |
| Pomona Freeway | — | — |
| CA 71 South | — | — |
| CA 71 North | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Magnolia Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside, CA and Buellton, CA.
1
Start on the route
180 ft
·
14 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right
95 ft
·
7 sec
3
Turn right onto Magnolia Avenue
230 ft
·
15 sec
·
Magnolia Avenue
4
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Central Avenue
5
Turn right onto Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Van Buren Boulevard
6
Continue on Mission Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Mission Boulevard
7
Take the ramp slight left toward CA 60 West
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
CA 60 West
8
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Pomona Freeway
9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
10
Keep slight right to continue on CA 71 North: Pomona
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 71 North: Pomona
11
Keep slight left
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
12
Merge slight left onto Chino Valley Freeway
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Chino Valley Freeway
13
Keep slight left to continue on CA 57 North
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 57 North
14
Continue straight
3.4 mi
·
3 min
15
Keep slight left to continue on I 210 West: Pasadena
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 210 West: Pasadena
16
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Foothill Freeway
17
Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Ventura Freeway
18
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Ventura Freeway
19
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Ventura Freeway
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles, Sacramento
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles, Sacramento
21
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 North, CA 134 West: Golden State Freeway, Sacramento, Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
322 ft
·
4 sec
·
I 5 North, CA 134 West: Golden State Freeway, Sacramento, Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
22
Keep slight right to continue on CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
23
Keep slight left to continue on CA 134: Ventura
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
CA 134: Ventura
24
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
Ventura Freeway
25
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ventura Freeway
26
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Ventura Freeway
27
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
55 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
Ventura Freeway
28
Keep slight left
18 mi
·
21 min
29
Continue on El Camino Real
55 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
El Camino Real
30
Take the exit slight right toward CA 246: Lompoc, Solvang
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
CA 246: Lompoc, Solvang
31
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
32
Continue straight
289 ft
·
29 sec
33
Turn sharp left
164 ft
·
12 sec
34
Arrive at your destination
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 95.7 miles from Riverside, CA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
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 42 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.7 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buellton, 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 191.4 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 95.7 mi from Riverside, CA · 1h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.7 miles from Riverside, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Buellton, CA
The final approach into Buellton, 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 Buellton, 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
$43.99 one way
$87.98 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $45.33 | $90.67 |
| premium | $6.18 | $46.55 | $93.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.26 | $84.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.10 | $9.19 |
| Efficient EV | 47.9 | 0 | $16.75 | $7.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.6 | 0 | $26.80 | $12.25 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Buellton, CA
Late night in Buellton on Saturday
Local time
1:10 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°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
15 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 50m 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 Buellton, CA covers 191.4 miles and takes about 3h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Magnolia Avenue, Central Avenue, Van Buren Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.7 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 $43.99 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.
The drive from Riverside, CA to Buellton, CA is easy. At 3h 50m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Riverside, CA to Buellton, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Riverside, CA to Buellton, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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