Origin
Windsor, CA
Afternoon in Windsor on Monday
Local time
12:16 PM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from Windsor, CA to Riverside, CA
Drive Time
7h 48m
Distance
492.8 mi
793 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$114
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 39m
★
6 AM
7h 48m
8 AM
8h 7m
10 AM
7h 55m
12 PM
7h 53m
3 PM
7h 56m
5 PM
8h 6m
8 PM
7h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Windsor, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Riverside, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
The drive from Windsor, CA to Riverside, CA covers 492.8 miles and takes about 7h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Old Redwood Highway, US 101 South, Redwood Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $114.12 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
246.4 miles from Windsor, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 7h 48m drive with frequent turns across 492.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Old Redwood Highway 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 48m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Windsor, CA to Riverside, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Old Redwood Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 101 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Redwood Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| John T | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Eastshore Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 80 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MacArthur Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Arthur H | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Old Redwood Highway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Windsor, CA and Riverside, CA.
1
Start on Windsor River Road
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Windsor River Road
2
Continue on Old Redwood Highway
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Old Redwood Highway
3
Take the ramp right toward US 101 South
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 101 South
4
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
46 mi
·
53 min
·
Redwood Highway
5
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
14 mi
·
17 min
·
John T. Knox Freeway
6
Merge slight left onto Eastshore Freeway
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
7
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate Highway 80
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
Interstate Highway 80
8
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
16 mi
·
18 min
·
MacArthur Freeway
9
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
10
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
11
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
11 mi
·
12 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
12
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
13
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
224 mi
·
4 hr
·
Westside Freeway
14
Keep slight right
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
15
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: Pasadena
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 210 East: Pasadena
17
Continue on Foothill Freeway
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Foothill Freeway
18
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Foothill Freeway
19
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
Foothill Freeway
20
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 57 South: Santa Ana
21
Continue on Orange Freeway
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Orange Freeway
22
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71: Corona
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
CA 71: Corona
23
Continue on Chino Valley Freeway
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Chino Valley Freeway
24
Take the exit slight right toward CA 60 East: Riverside
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
CA 60 East: Riverside
25
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Pomona Freeway
26
Take the exit slight right toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
27
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Mission Boulevard
28
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Van Buren Boulevard
29
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Central Avenue
30
Turn sharp right
171 ft
·
13 sec
31
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 246.4 miles from Windsor, CA, or about 3h 54m 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 108 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 246.4 miles or 3h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 51m
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 Windsor, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Windsor, CA
This is one driving day of about 492.8 miles and 7h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Windsor, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 246.4 mi from Windsor, CA · 3h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
246 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 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 246.4 miles from Windsor, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$114.12 one way
$228.24 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
172 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $117.69 | $235.38 |
| premium | $6.24 | $121.12 | $242.25 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $109.48 | $218.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$114
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$139–$164
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 172.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 147.8 | 1 | $51.74 | $23.65 |
| Efficient EV | 123.2 | 1 | $43.12 | $19.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 197.1 | 2 | $68.99 | $31.54 |
Gas CO2
172 kg
EV CO2
58 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Riverside, CA
Afternoon in Riverside on Monday
Local time
12:16 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°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.
Road read
7h 48m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Windsor, CA to Riverside, CA covers 492.8 miles and takes about 7h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Old Redwood Highway, US 101 South, Redwood Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 246.4 miles from Windsor, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $114.12 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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 48m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Windsor, CA to Riverside, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Windsor, CA to Riverside, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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