How far is Chowchilla, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Chowchilla, CA to Riverside, CA is about 311.2 miles (500.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 271.8 miles (437.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 39m 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 05h 19m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Monterey County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chowchilla and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chowchilla and Riverside.
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1
Start on North 2nd Street
19 m · 8 sec · North 2nd Street
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2
Turn left onto Robertson Boulevard
1782 ft · 30 sec · Robertson Boulevard
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3
Take the ramp slight right
1583 ft · 39 sec
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4
Merge slight left
37.6 mi · 42 min
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5
Keep slight left
41 mi · 44 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway
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7
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: Pasadena
1347 ft · 18 sec
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12
Continue on Foothill Freeway
24.4 mi · 28 min · Foothill Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
19.1 mi · 22 min · Foothill Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2476 ft · 33 sec · Foothill Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
1.4 km · 2 min
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16
Continue on Orange Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Orange Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71: Corona
1.1 mi · 2 min
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18
Continue on Chino Valley Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Chino Valley Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 60 East: Riverside
1.4 mi · 3 min
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20
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Pomona Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
2448 ft · 1 min
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22
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
852 ft · 15 sec · Mission Boulevard
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23
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · Van Buren Boulevard
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24
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue
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25
Turn sharp right
52 m · 13 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chowchilla and Riverside.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Golden State Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 01h 03m
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 Chowchilla and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Riverside.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chowchilla to Riverside?
The road trip is about 311.2 miles (500.9 km) and usually takes 05h 19m 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?
Greenfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 153.4 miles from Chowchilla and 157.8 miles from Riverside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 271.8 miles (437.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.4 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 6:20 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $63.34 one way or $126.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chowchilla and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Riverside.
Stop Ideas Near Greenfield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Greenfield.
Bakersfield
Wasco station
Tehachapi, California
Mojave, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chowchilla and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 271.79 mi (437.41 km).
#1 Chowchilla
City in Madera County, California, United States
| Population | 18,153 |
| Coordinates | 37.1230000, -120.2601800 |
| Altitude | 73 |
| 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: 501 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $63.34 | $126.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $66.60 | $133.21 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $68.55 | $137.10 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $83.09 | $166.17 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.