How far is Carson, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Carson, CA to Riverside, CA is about 61.8 miles (99.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 51.5 miles (82.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 13m 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 01h 06m.
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 Orange County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carson and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carson and Riverside.
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1
Start on West Carson Street
29 m · 9 sec · West Carson Street
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2
Continue on West Carson Street
1346 ft · 37 sec · West Carson Street
-
3
Turn right onto South Figueroa Street
1.4 km · 1 min · South Figueroa Street
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4
Turn left onto I 110 North: Los Angeles
965 ft · 26 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Harbor Freeway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Harbor Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 91 East
2288 ft · 56 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Gardena Freeway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Gardena Freeway
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8
Continue on Artesia Freeway
13.1 mi · 15 min · Artesia Freeway
-
9
Continue on Riverside Freeway
8.8 mi · 10 min · Riverside Freeway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on Riverside Freeway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Riverside Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Riverside Freeway
21.9 mi · 25 min · Riverside Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Central Avenue, Riverside Plaza Avenue
1256 ft · 38 sec
-
13
Turn sharp left onto Central Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Central Avenue
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14
Turn slight left
52 m · 13 sec
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carson 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.
Riverside Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Riverside Freeway
21.9 mi · 00h 25m
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.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny leaving Carson and Sunny near Riverside.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carson to Riverside?
The road trip is about 61.8 miles (99.4 km) and usually takes 01h 06m 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?
Placentia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.6 miles from Carson and 32.2 miles from Riverside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 51.5 miles (82.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:16 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.58 one way or $25.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny around Carson and Sunny near Riverside.
Stop Ideas Near Placentia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
bamboo house
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Placentia.
Fullerton Transportation Center
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Irvine Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carson and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 51.5 mi (82.88 km).
#1 Carson
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 89,860 |
| Coordinates | 33.8314100, -118.2820200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| 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: 99 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $12.58 | $25.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $13.22 | $26.45 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $13.61 | $27.22 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $16.50 | $32.99 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.