How far is Dana Point, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Dana Point, CA to Riverside, CA is about 56.2 miles (90.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 37.8 miles (60.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 08m 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 04m.
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.
Census-designated place in Orange County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dana Point and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dana Point and Riverside.
-
1
Start on Golden Lantern Street
544 ft · 18 sec · Golden Lantern Street
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2
Turn left onto Del Prado Avenue
1217 ft · 34 sec · Del Prado Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Pacific Coast Highway
1992 ft · 54 sec · Pacific Coast Highway
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4
Turn left onto Del Obispo Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Del Obispo Street
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5
Turn right onto Stonehill Drive
3047 ft · 1 min · Stonehill Drive
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
2113 ft · 54 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · San Diego Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
10
Keep slight right
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward CA 133 North: Riverside
2709 ft · 35 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Eastern Transportation Corridor
2.9 mi · 3 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on CA 241 North: Riverside
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto Foothill Transportation Corridor
5.3 mi · 6 min · Foothill Transportation Corridor
-
15
Merge slight right onto Eastern Transportation Corridor
5.5 mi · 6 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on CA 91 East: Riverside
1 mi · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
18.6 mi · 21 min · Riverside Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Madison Street
1145 ft · 36 sec
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19
Turn left onto Madison Street
2568 ft · 1 min · Madison Street
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20
Turn right onto Magnolia Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Magnolia Avenue
-
21
Turn right
31 m · 8 sec
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22
At the end of the road, turn left
55 m · 13 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dana Point 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
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
18.6 mi · 00h 21m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Dana Point and Mostly Sunny near Riverside.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dana Point to Riverside?
The road trip is about 56.2 miles (90.4 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?
North Tustin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.3 miles from Dana Point and 28.8 miles from Riverside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 37.8 miles (60.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.4 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 4:22 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.42 one way or $22.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Dana Point and Mostly Sunny near Riverside.
Stop Ideas Near North Tustin
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Lake Forest
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Tustin.
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Irvine Transportation Center
Fullerton Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dana Point and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 37.82 mi (60.87 km).
#1 Dana Point
City in California, US
| Population | 33,436 |
| Coordinates | 33.4669700, -117.6981100 |
| Altitude | 44 |
| 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: 90 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $11.42 | $22.85 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $12.01 | $24.02 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $12.36 | $24.72 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $14.98 | $29.97 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.