Trip from Ukiah, CA to Riverside, CA

Drive Time

10h 15m

Distance

539.1 mi

868 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$125

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

10h 7m ★

6 AM

10h 16m

8 AM

10h 34m

10 AM

10h 22m

12 PM

10h 20m

3 PM

10h 23m

5 PM

10h 33m

8 PM

10h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Ukiah, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Riverside, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

Spanning 539.1 miles from Ukiah to Riverside, this journey across California takes roughly 10 hours and 15 minutes of pure drive time. Because of the significant distance, attempting this in a single day is exhausting, so I highly recommend splitting it into two days to keep your energy up. You will navigate a mix of the Redwood Highway and the Westside Freeway, eventually merging onto the I-5 Truck route. With an estimated fuel budget of $125, you should plan your stops carefully to account for the long stretches between major hubs. While both cities sit within the Pacific Coast region, the transition from Northern to Southern California covers a massive amount of ground, making this a true long-distance commitment.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

269.6 miles from Ukiah, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 7m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip defined by high-speed efficiency, as roughly 79% of your travel occurs on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Westside Freeway, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 224.4 miles. This creates a monotonous, interstate-heavy experience that requires focus during the long, steady miles. As you transition between the Redwood Highway and the freeway system, the road feel shifts from localized navigation to a broad, high-capacity corridor. Be prepared for a functional, straightforward drive that prioritizes speed and distance over winding, scenic bypasses.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 224.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

3,094 ft 15 ft

Total Climb

4,193 ft

Total Descent

3,998 ft

Highest Point

3,094 ft

~426.8 mi in

Elevation Range

3,079 ft

Notable High Points

3,094 ft at ~426.8 miles +1,984 ft prominence

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Redwood Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 97.9 miles in near I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway.

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 539.1 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 97.9 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.2 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.5 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 24 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

97.9 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in | I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 451B Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland

115.2 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in | I 580 / Interstate Highway 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / Interstate Highway 80 toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oaklan...

115.5 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in | I 580 / MacArthur Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockt...

487.6 mi into trip | ~9h 8m in | I 210 / Foothill Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura

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, I 210 East: San Bernardino,...

528.8 mi into trip | ~9h 59m in

Take the exit toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda 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 42 Toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue

Towns Along This Route

Between Ukiah, CA and Riverside, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose and Ventura.

Oakland

97.9 mi in | ~1h 56m | via I 580

Hayward

115.2 mi in | ~2h 18m | via I 580

Stockton

115.2 mi in | ~2h 18m | via I 580

Alameda

115.2 mi in | ~2h 18m | via I 580

San Jose

115.2 mi in | ~2h 18m | via I 580

Ventura

487.6 mi in | ~9h 8m | via I 210

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Westside Freeway	224.4 mi	4h
Redwood Highway	97.2 mi	1h 55m
I 5 Truck	58.4 mi	1h 6m
Foothill Freeway	44 mi	50m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway	29.3 mi	33m
William Elton Brown Freeway	17 mi	18m
MacArthur Freeway	16.4 mi	18m
John T. Knox Freeway	13.6 mi	17m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 224.4 mi, about 4h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ukiah, CA and Riverside, CA.

Start on US 101 Business

57 ft · 8 sec · North State Street

Turn left onto East Perkins Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Perkins Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Merge onto US 101

97 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Redwood Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

14 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway

Exit 451B Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 80; I 580

3.8 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

0.3 mi · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80

Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

16 mi · 18 min · MacArthur Freeway

Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 580

12 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

18 mi · 20 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

11 mi · 11 min · William Elton Brown Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

5.9 mi · 6 min · William Elton Brown Freeway

Merge onto I 5

224 mi · 4 hr · Westside Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.0 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 17 sec

Exit 161A Toward I 210 East: Pasadena Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 210

24 mi · 28 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210

19 mi · 22 min · Foothill Freeway

Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210

0.5 mi · 32 sec · Foothill Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 44A Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana Use the slight right lane.

Continue on CA 57

3.2 mi · 3 min · Orange Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 2 min

Exit 22C Toward CA 71: Corona Use the slight right lane.

Continue on CA 71

3.1 mi · 3 min · Chino Valley Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.4 mi · 2 min

Toward CA 60 East: Riverside Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto CA 60

12 mi · 13 min · Pomona Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 42 Toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Mission Boulevard

Continue on Van Buren Boulevard

6.1 mi · 8 min · Van Buren Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Central Avenue

3.6 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn sharp right

171 ft · 12 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To tackle this 539.1-mile trek effectively, break the journey into two days to avoid the fatigue of a 10-hour-plus stint behind the wheel. Given the reliance on the I-5 Truck route and Westside Freeway, try to depart early in the morning to steer clear of peak congestion in the larger metropolitan areas. Plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping that $125 gas budget in mind as you map out your service stations. Because the longest stretch spans over 224 miles, check your tire pressure and fluid levels before leaving Ukiah to ensure your vehicle is ready for the sustained highway speeds. Staying flexible with your pace will make the long transition down the coast much more manageable.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 269.6 miles from Ukiah, CA, or about 5h 7m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 119 miles or 2h 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 269.6 miles or 5h 7m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 269.6 miles or 5h 7m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 8h 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverside, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Ukiah, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Ukiah, CA

Aim for roughly 270 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Riverside, CA

Aim for roughly 270 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 119 miles from Ukiah, CA.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 269.6 mi from Ukiah, CA · 5h 7m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Richmond, CA

178 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Fresno, CA

356 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Fresno, CA

Popular next leg

Fresno, CA to Riverside, CA

274.6 mi · 4h 29m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Dublin, CA

270 mi · about 5.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Dublin, CA after about 270 miles or 5.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Richmond, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 119 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Modesto, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 269.6 miles from Ukiah, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.4 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 270 miles or 5.1 hours on the road.

Arriving in Riverside, CA

The final approach into Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Riverside, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$124.84 one way

$249.68 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 189 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$128.75	$257.49
premium	$6.24	$132.50	$265.01
diesel	$5.64	$119.77	$239.54

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$125

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$255–$365

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 188.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $57 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	161.7	1	$56.61	$25.88
Efficient EV	134.8	1	$47.17	$21.56
EV Truck/SUV	215.6	2	$75.47	$34.50

Gas CO2

189 kg

EV CO2

63 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Ukiah, CA

Afternoon in Ukiah on Sunday

Local time

12:48 PM

PDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Riverside, CA

Afternoon in Riverside on Sunday

Local time

12:48 PM

PDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

46°F

Richmond, CA

178 mi in

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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

4 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

10h 15m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Ukiah, CA to Riverside, CA covers 539.1 miles and takes about 10h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Westside Freeway, Redwood Highway, I 5 Truck. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 270 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 269.6 miles from Ukiah, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $124.84 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Ukiah, CA and Riverside, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose and Ventura.

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Trip from Ukiah, CA to Riverside, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Riverside, CA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ukiah, CA

Riverside, CA

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

10h 15m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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