How far is Blythe, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Blythe, CA to Riverside, CA is about 173.4 miles (279 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 52m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Riverside County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Blythe and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blythe and Riverside.
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1
Start on East Hobsonway
83 m · 13 sec · East Hobsonway
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2
Continue on East Hobsonway
3096 ft · 2 min · East Hobsonway
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3
Turn left onto South Lovekin Boulevard
950 ft · 23 sec · South Lovekin Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp right
1551 ft · 38 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
92.6 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
33.7 mi · 36 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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7
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
17.9 mi · 19 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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8
Take the exit slight left toward CA 60 West: Riverside
1022 ft · 13 sec
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9
Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway
2677 ft · 33 sec · Moreno Valley Freeway
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10
Continue on Moreno Valley Expressway
2 mi · 2 min · Moreno Valley Expressway
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11
Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway
16 mi · 20 min · Moreno Valley Freeway
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12
Merge slight left onto Escondido Freeway
3.9 mi · 5 min · Escondido Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities
1.5 mi · 3 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Riverside Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Central Avenue, Riverside Plaza Avenue
1280 ft · 33 sec
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16
Turn right onto Central Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Central Avenue
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17
Turn slight left
52 m · 13 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Blythe and Riverside.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
92.6 mi · 01h 39m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Blythe and Sunny near Riverside.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Blythe to Riverside?
The road trip is about 173.4 miles (279 km) and usually takes 02h 52m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Coachella is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.2 miles from Blythe and 87.2 miles from Riverside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:46 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.31 one way or $70.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Blythe and Sunny near Riverside.
Stop Ideas Near Coachella
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Hotel Indigo Coachella, an IHG Hotel
Indio City Hall
Coachella City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Coachella.
Indio, California
La Quinta, CA
Palm Desert, CA
Palm Springs (Buses), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Blythe and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 162.52 mi (261.55 km).
#1 Blythe
City in California
| Population | 19,673 |
| Coordinates | 33.6103000, -114.5963500 |
| Altitude | 83 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Riverside
The most populous city in Riverside County, California and the center of the Riverside metropolitan area.
| Population | 330,786 |
| Coordinates | 33.9533500, -117.3961600 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-117.396162, 33.953244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $35.31 | $70.61 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $37.12 | $74.25 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $38.21 | $76.41 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $46.31 | $92.62 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.