How far is Coachella, CA from Riverside, CA?

The driving distance from Coachella, CA to Riverside, CA is about 82 miles (131.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.6 miles (116.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 52m 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
81.94 mi
01h 26m
Flight
72.66 mi
116.93 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Coachella.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72.66 mi
Kilometers
116.93 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
81.94 mi
Kilometers
131.87 km
Drive Time
01h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Riverside
Thu, Apr 23, 3:38 AM PDT
Return by in Coachella
Thu, Apr 23, 5:04 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Coachella
2026-04-23T02:12
Arrive Riverside
Thu, Apr 23, 3:38 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM PDT

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

Leave by
3:38 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Coachella
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
Cabazon
CA

Census-designated place in Riverside County, California, United States

From Coachella
41.1 mi
00h 43m
To Riverside
40.8 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Grapefruit Boulevard

    2460 ft · 52 sec · Grapefruit Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn left

    695 ft · 34 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Avenue 50

    1.5 km · 2 min · Avenue 50

  4. 4

    Continue on Tyler Street

    654 ft · 17 sec · Tyler Street

  5. 5

    Turn left

    2.9 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight right onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway

    32.6 mi · 35 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

    17.9 mi · 19 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward CA 60 West: Riverside

    1022 ft · 13 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway

    2677 ft · 33 sec · Moreno Valley Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on Moreno Valley Expressway

    2 mi · 2 min · Moreno Valley Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway

    16 mi · 20 min · Moreno Valley Freeway

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Escondido Freeway

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Escondido Freeway

  13. 13

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

    1.5 mi · 3 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Riverside Freeway

  15. 15

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

    1280 ft · 33 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Central Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Central Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn slight left

    52 m · 13 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.6 mi · 40%
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
17.9 mi · 22%
Moreno Valley Freeway
16.5 mi · 20%
Escondido Freeway
3.95 mi · 5%
Riverside Freeway
2.23 mi · 3%
Moreno Valley Expressway
2 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
01h 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.4 mi
72.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cabazon
00h 43m from Coachella
Leave By
3:38 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Coachella and Sunny near Riverside.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 82 miles (131.9 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?

Cabazon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.1 miles from Coachella and 40.8 miles from Riverside.

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

The direct path is about 72.6 miles (116.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:38 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.67 one way or $33.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Cabazon

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 Cabazon and the surrounding midpoint area.
Khyra Beaucrest Ranch
Coffee break 12.5 mi away

Khyra Beaucrest Ranch

Cherry Valley , CA
40335 Ave Altejo Bella, Cherry Valley, CA 92223, United States
Rating 5.0/5 23 reviews Bed & breakfast,Ranch,Wedding venue
Highland Springs Ranch & Inn
Food stop 11.3 mi away

Highland Springs Ranch & Inn

Cherry Valley , CA
10600 Highland Springs Ave, Cherry Valley, CA 92223, United States
Rating 4.3/5 359 reviews Ranch,Farm,Inn,Restaurant,Wedding venue
Hampton Inn & Suites Banning-Beaumont
Stay option 10.9 mi away

Hampton Inn & Suites Banning-Beaumont

Banning , CA
6071 Joshua Palmer Way, Banning, CA 92220, United States
Rating 4.3/5 718 reviews Hotel
Country Hills RV Park
Scenic stop 12.4 mi away

Country Hills RV Park

Beaumont , CA
14711 Manzanita Park Rd, Beaumont, CA 92223, United States
Rating 4.3/5 145 reviews RV park,Campground

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Cabazon, CA

1 mi away
49500 Seminole Drive
RAIL

Palm Springs

22 mi away
Indian Ave. and Palm Springs Station Rd.
BUS

Palm Springs Downtown, CA

25 mi away
190 North Indian Canyon Drive
BUS

Palm Springs (Buses), California

25 mi away
3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Coachella and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 72.66 mi (116.93 km).

Coachella

#1 Coachella

A city in Riverside County, California.

Population46,564
Coordinates33.6803000, -116.1738900
Altitude-21
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: Grapefruit Boulevard (-116.174182, 33.680124)
End: (-117.396162, 33.953244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 132 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.89 gal
10.95 L · about $16.67
Round trip
$33.34
5.78 gal · 21.9 L
Estimated CO2
25.7 kg one way
Round trip: 51.4 kg / 113 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $16.67 $33.34
Mid-grade $6.07 $17.53 $35.06
Premium $6.24 $18.04 $36.08
Diesel $7.57 $21.87 $43.74

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

There is no time difference between Coachella and Riverside. The current time is 02:12:15.

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.