How far is Buellton, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Buellton, CA to Riverside, CA is about 195.3 miles (314.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 166 miles (267.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 12m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
The fifth most populous city in Ventura 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 Buellton and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buellton and Riverside.
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1
Start on the route
49 m · 17 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left
672 ft · 15 sec
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3
Take the ramp right toward CA 246
910 ft · 22 sec
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4
Merge slight left
126.1 mi · 2 hr 26 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Ventura Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Ventura Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
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12
Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway
17.9 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2476 ft · 33 sec · Foothill Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
1.4 km · 2 min
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15
Continue on Orange Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Orange Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71: Corona
1.1 mi · 2 min
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17
Continue on Chino Valley Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Chino Valley Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward CA 60 East: Riverside
1.4 mi · 3 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Pomona Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
2448 ft · 1 min
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21
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
852 ft · 15 sec · Mission Boulevard
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22
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · Van Buren Boulevard
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23
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue
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24
Turn sharp right
52 m · 13 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buellton and Riverside.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
CA 246
Merge slight left
126 mi · 02h 26m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Buellton and Sunny near Riverside.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buellton to Riverside?
The road trip is about 195.3 miles (314.3 km) and usually takes 03h 12m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Thousand Oaks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.5 miles from Buellton and 99.8 miles from Riverside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 166 miles (267.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:36 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.75 one way or $79.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Buellton and Sunny near Riverside.
Stop Ideas Near Thousand Oaks
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bella Capri Inn & Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites Camarillo
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Camarillo
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Thousand Oaks.
Moorpark
Simi Valley
Camarillo station
Chatsworth station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buellton and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 166.03 mi (267.2 km).
#1 Buellton
City in Santa Barbara County, California
| Population | 5,449 |
| Coordinates | 34.6136000, -120.1926500 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| 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: 314 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $39.75 | $79.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $41.79 | $83.59 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $43.01 | $86.03 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $52.14 | $104.27 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.