How far is Calexico, CA from Riverside, CA?

The driving distance from Calexico, CA to Riverside, CA is about 171.7 miles (276.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
171.77 mi
02h 54m
Flight
140.54 mi
226.18 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Calexico.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
140.54 mi
Kilometers
226.18 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
171.77 mi
Kilometers
276.43 km
Drive Time
02h 54m

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 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Riverside
Fri, Apr 17, 9:24 AM PDT
Return by in Calexico
Fri, Apr 17, 12:19 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Calexico
2026-04-17T06:30
Arrive Riverside
Fri, Apr 17, 9:24 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:55 AM to 12:55 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:40 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Calexico
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Coachella
CA

A city in Riverside County, California.

From Calexico
85.8 mi
01h 27m
To Riverside
86 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NNW
Destination
75°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Calexico and Riverside.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Calexico and Riverside.

  1. 1

    Start on West Birch Street

    9 m · 1 sec · West Birch Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Imperial Avenue

    23.4 mi · 27 min · Imperial Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Brawley Bypass

    3.7 mi · 4 min · Brawley Bypass

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right

    29 mi · 35 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    5.2 mi · 6 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    32.5 mi · 38 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight right onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway

    32.6 mi · 35 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

    17.9 mi · 19 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight left toward CA 60 West: Riverside

    1022 ft · 13 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway

    2677 ft · 33 sec · Moreno Valley Freeway

  11. 11

    Continue on Moreno Valley Expressway

    2 mi · 2 min · Moreno Valley Expressway

  12. 12

    Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway

    16 mi · 20 min · Moreno Valley Freeway

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Escondido Freeway

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Escondido Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities

    1.5 mi · 3 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Riverside Freeway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Central Avenue, Riverside Plaza Avenue

    1280 ft · 33 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Central Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Central Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn slight left

    52 m · 13 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Calexico and Riverside.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
19 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Brawley Bypass
70.4 mi · 41%
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.6 mi · 19%
Imperial Avenue
23.4 mi · 14%
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
17.9 mi · 10%
Moreno Valley Freeway
16.5 mi · 10%
Escondido Freeway
3.95 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway

Merge slight right onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway

32.6 mi · 00h 35m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.1 mi
140.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Coachella
01h 27m from Calexico
Leave By
12:40 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Calexico and Sunny near Riverside.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Calexico to Riverside?

The road trip is about 171.7 miles (276.4 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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 85.8 miles from Calexico and 86 miles from Riverside.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.1 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 12:40 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.96 one way or $69.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Calexico and Sunny near Riverside.

Stop Ideas Near Coachella

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Coachella and the surrounding midpoint area.
Hotel Indigo Coachella, an IHG Hotel
Stay option 6.8 mi away

Hotel Indigo Coachella, an IHG Hotel

Coachella , CA
84141 Ave 48, Coachella, CA 92236, United States
Rating 4.3/5 3 reviews Hotel,Conference center,Pet friendly accommodation,Wedding venue
Indio City Hall
Meeting point 8.6 mi away

Indio City Hall

Indio , CA
100 Civic Center Mall, Indio, CA 92201, United States
Rating 5.0/5 5 reviews City or town hall,Building inspector,City government office,Economic development agency,Municipal administration office,Urban planning department
Coachella City Hall
Nearby stop 5 mi away

Coachella City Hall

Coachella , CA
1515 6th St, Coachella, CA 92236, United States
Rating 4.3/5 20 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Coachella.

BUS

Indio, California

7 mi away
NE Corner Hywy-111 and Monroe Street
BUS

La Quinta, CA

11 mi away
78822 Highway 111
BUS

Palm Desert, CA

21 mi away
44449 Towne Center Way
BUS

Palm Springs (Buses), California

38 mi away
3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Calexico and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 140.54 mi (226.18 km).

Calexico

#1 Calexico

City in California

Population39,547
Coordinates32.6789500, -115.4988800
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Riverside

#2 Riverside

The most populous city in Riverside County, California and the center of the Riverside metropolitan area.

Population330,786
Coordinates33.9533500, -117.3961600
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Start: West Birch Street (-115.498878, 32.679003)
End: (-117.396162, 33.953244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 276 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.06 gal
22.94 L · about $34.96
Round trip
$69.92
12.12 gal · 45.88 L
Estimated CO2
53.9 kg one way
Round trip: 107.7 kg / 237 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $34.96 $69.92
Mid-grade $6.07 $36.76 $73.52
Premium $6.24 $37.83 $75.67
Diesel $7.57 $45.86 $91.71

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Calexico and Riverside. The current time is 06:30:21.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.