How far is Irvine, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Irvine, CA to Riverside, CA is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.4 miles (50.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 45m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The second most populous city in Riverside County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Irvine and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine and Riverside.
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1
Start on San Diego Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
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2
Take the exit slight right toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
1456 ft · 21 sec
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3
Turn left onto Jeffrey Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Jeffrey Road
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4
Turn left onto Irvine Center Drive
2.1 mi · 3 min · Irvine Center Drive
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5
Continue on Edinger Avenue
1285 ft · 24 sec · Edinger Avenue
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6
Turn slight right onto Jamboree Road, Walnut Avenue
133 m · 8 sec
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7
Continue on Jamboree Road
1.1 km · 51 sec · Jamboree Road
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 261 North
1752 ft · 23 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Eastern Transportation Corridor
11.7 mi · 13 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 91 East: Riverside
1 mi · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
20.3 mi · 23 min · Riverside Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Central Avenue, Riverside Plaza Avenue
1256 ft · 38 sec
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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 Irvine and Riverside.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Riverside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
20.3 mi · 00h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Irvine and Partly Sunny near Riverside.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Irvine to Riverside?
The road trip is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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 20.3 miles from Irvine and 22.6 miles from Riverside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.4 miles (50.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 7:00 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.71 one way or $17.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Irvine and Partly Sunny near Riverside.
Stop Ideas Near Corona
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
Disneyland Hotel
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Corona.
Riverside–Downtown
Ontario
Moreno Valley, California
Pomona station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Irvine and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 31.39 mi (50.52 km).
#1 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| 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: 69 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $8.71 | $17.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $9.16 | $18.32 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $9.43 | $18.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $11.43 | $22.85 |
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 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.