How far is Fullerton, CA from Riverside, CA?

The driving distance from Fullerton, CA to Riverside, CA is about 36.2 miles (58.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 30.9 miles (49.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
36.18 mi
00h 44m
Flight
30.88 mi
49.7 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fullerton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
30.88 mi
Kilometers
49.7 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
36.18 mi
Kilometers
58.22 km
Drive Time
00h 44m

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 00h 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Riverside
Wed, Apr 22, 5:00 PM PDT
Return by in Fullerton
Wed, Apr 22, 5:44 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fullerton
2026-04-22T16:16
Arrive Riverside
Wed, Apr 22, 5:00 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:44 AM to 7:44 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:02 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Fullerton
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Corona
CA

The second most populous city in Riverside County, California.

From Fullerton
18.1 mi
00h 22m
To Riverside
18.1 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W
Destination
72°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Commonwealth Avenue

    95 m · 13 sec · West Commonwealth Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Harbor Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Harbor Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn left onto CA 91 East: Riverside Freeway, Anaheim Boulevard, Lemon Street

    1380 ft · 33 sec

  4. 4

    Continue on CA 91 East

    1793 ft · 48 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway

    5.2 mi · 6 min · Riverside Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Riverside Freeway

    6.3 mi · 7 min · Riverside Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Riverside Freeway

    21.9 mi · 25 min · Riverside Freeway

  8. 8

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

    1256 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Turn sharp left onto Central Avenue

    1.2 km · 2 min · Central Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn slight left

    52 m · 13 sec

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fullerton 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
11 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Riverside Freeway
33.3 mi · 92%
South Harbor Boulevard
1.19 mi · 3%
Central Avenue
0.96 mi · 3%
CA 91 East
0.6 mi · 2%
West Commonwealth Avenue
0.06 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 44m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.3 mi
30.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Corona
00h 22m from Fullerton
Leave By
7:02 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Fullerton 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 Fullerton to Riverside?

The road trip is about 36.2 miles (58.2 km) and usually takes 00h 44m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Corona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.1 miles from Fullerton and 18.1 miles from Riverside.

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

The direct path is about 30.9 miles (49.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:02 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.38 one way or $14.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fullerton and Mostly Sunny near Riverside.

Stop Ideas Near Corona

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 Corona and the surrounding midpoint area.
Ayres Hotel Anaheim
Stay option 13.8 mi away

Ayres Hotel Anaheim

Anaheim , CA
2550 E Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806, United States
Rating 4.5/5 1,527 reviews Hotel
Chino City Hall
Meeting point 9.4 mi away

Chino City Hall

Chino , CA
13220 Central Ave, Chino, CA 91710
Rating 4.6/5 31 reviews City Hall,City government office,Local government office
City National Grove of Anaheim
Nearby stop 14.3 mi away

City National Grove of Anaheim

Anaheim , CA
2200 E Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806, United States
Rating 4.5/5 1,235 reviews Concert hall,Comedy club,Event venue,Live music venue,Performing arts theater
Embassy Suites by Hilton Brea North Orange County
Stay option 13.6 mi away

Embassy Suites by Hilton Brea North Orange County

Brea , CA
900 E Birch St, Brea, CA 92821, United States
Rating 4.4/5 1,475 reviews Hotel

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Riverside–Downtown

21 mi away
4066 Vine St.
RAIL

Ontario

22 mi away
228 South Plum Street
BUS

Moreno Valley, California

26 mi away
2650 East Alessandro Blvd.
RAIL

Pomona station

27 mi away
100 West Commercial Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fullerton and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 30.88 mi (49.7 km).

Fullerton

#1 Fullerton

The eighth most populous city in Orange County, California.

Population139,921
Coordinates33.8702900, -117.9253400
Altitude50
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 Commonwealth Avenue (-117.92534, 33.87034)
End: (-117.396162, 33.953244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 58 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.28 gal
4.83 L · about $7.38
Round trip
$14.77
2.56 gal · 9.66 L
Estimated CO2
11.4 kg one way
Round trip: 22.8 kg / 50 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $7.38 $14.77
Mid-grade $6.07 $7.76 $15.53
Premium $6.24 $7.99 $15.98
Diesel $7.57 $9.69 $19.37

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Fullerton and Riverside. The current time is 16:16:18.

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.