The drive from San Bernardino, CA to Northridge, CA covers 80.1 miles and takes about 1h 38m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Foothill Freeway, Ventura Freeway, San Diego Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 48.2 miles on Foothill Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.41 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.
Midpoint
40 miles from San Bernardino, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 80.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 38m highway drive covering 80.1 miles, with most of the trip on Foothill Freeway and Ventura Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 48.2 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 30 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 48.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Foothill Freeway and Ventura Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 60.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.1 miles you will encounter 27 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 60.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
60.6 mi into trip|~1h 11m 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
60.9 mi into trip|~1h 12m 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
8
71.4 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South, I 405 North: Santa Monica, 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.
Exit 19A
Toward I 405 South, I 405 North: Santa Monica,...
8
71.6 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 North: Sacramento
8
75.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward Roscoe Boulevard, Panorama City
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 68
Toward Roscoe Boulevard, Panorama City
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Bernardino, CA and Northridge, CA, road signs point toward Los Angeles, Sacramento, Ventura and Panorama City.
Los Angeles
60.2 mi in|~1h 11m
Sacramento
60.2 mi in|~1h 11m
Ventura
60.5 mi in|~1h 11m
Panorama City
75.8 mi in|~1h 29m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Foothill Freeway
48.2 mi
55m
Ventura Freeway
18.4 mi
21m
San Diego Freeway
3.9 mi
4m
Parthenia Street
3 mi
5m
San Bernardino Freeway
1.5 mi
1m
West 5th Street
0.7 mi
1m
Roscoe Boulevard
0.6 mi
1m
Woodley Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Foothill Freeway
— 48.2 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Bernardino, CA and Northridge, CA.
1
Start on West 5th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West 5th Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 215 North: Barstow
3
Merge onto I 215
1.5 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on I 215
0.5 mi·34 sec·Barstow Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 46BToward CA 210 West: PasadenaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto CA 210
21 mi·24 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
2.4 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
20 mi·23 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 134
6.4 mi·7 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.1 mi·1 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
0.5 mi·36 sec·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
Toward I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles, SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
16
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
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo DriveUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
Toward CA 134: VenturaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto CA 134
0.6 mi·43 sec·Ventura Freeway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.9 mi·2 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
0.8 mi·52 sec·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
7.1 mi·8 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 19AToward I 405 South, I 405 North: Santa Monica, SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 405 North: SacramentoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 405
3.9 mi·4 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 68Toward Roscoe Boulevard, Panorama CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn left onto Roscoe Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Roscoe Boulevard
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto Woodley Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Woodley Avenue
29
Turn left onto Parthenia Street
3.0 mi·5 min·Parthenia Street
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
Parthenia Street
Trip Plan
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 40 miles from San Bernardino, CA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.2 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40 miles or 48m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Northridge, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Bernardino, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Bernardino, CA
This is one driving day of about 80.1 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from San Bernardino, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Foothill Freeway for about 48.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40 mi from San Bernardino, CA
· 48m into the drive
The midpoint is around 40 miles from San Bernardino, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Northridge, CA
The final approach into Northridge, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 80.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.41 one way
$36.82 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$18.97
$37.94
premium
$6.18
$19.48
$38.96
diesel
$5.61
$17.69
$35.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24
0
$8.41
$3.84
Efficient EV
20
0
$7.01
$3.20
EV Truck/SUV
32
0
$11.21
$5.13
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
San Bernardino, CA
Afternoon
in San Bernardino on Thursday
Local time
1:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Northridge, CA
Afternoon
in Northridge on Thursday
Local time
1:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
78°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
1 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 38m 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 San Bernardino, CA to Northridge, CA covers 80.1 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Foothill Freeway, Ventura Freeway, San Diego 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 40 miles from San Bernardino, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.41 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 80.1 miles you will encounter 27 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 60.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between San Bernardino, CA and Northridge, CA, road signs point toward Los Angeles, Sacramento, Ventura and Panorama City.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
