How far is La Quinta, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from La Quinta, CA to Riverside, CA is about 90.4 miles (145.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 75.7 miles (121.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 41m 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 50m.
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 Los Angeles County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Quinta and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Quinta and Riverside.
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1
Start on Las Llajas Canyon Trail
4.2 mi · 41 min · Las Llajas Canyon Trail
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2
Continue on Las Llajas Canyon Trail
128 m · 33 sec · Las Llajas Canyon Trail
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3
Turn right onto Evening Sky Drive
2689 ft · 2 min · Evening Sky Drive
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4
Turn left onto Yosemite Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Yosemite Avenue
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5
Take the ramp right toward CA 118 East
949 ft · 25 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
1.3 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
11.8 mi · 14 min · Golden State Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 134 East: Glendale, Pasadena
1787 ft · 23 sec
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14
Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Ventura Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Ventura Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
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17
Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway
17.9 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2476 ft · 33 sec · Foothill Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
1.4 km · 2 min
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20
Continue on Orange Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Orange Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71: Corona
1.1 mi · 2 min
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22
Continue on Chino Valley Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Chino Valley Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward CA 60 East: Riverside
1.4 mi · 3 min
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24
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Pomona Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
2448 ft · 1 min
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26
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
852 ft · 15 sec · Mission Boulevard
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27
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · Van Buren Boulevard
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28
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue
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29
Turn sharp right
52 m · 13 sec
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Quinta 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.
Foothill Freeway
Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway
17.9 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.
Sunny leaving La Quinta 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 La Quinta to Riverside?
The road trip is about 90.4 miles (145.5 km) and usually takes 01h 50m 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?
East Pasadena is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.1 miles from La Quinta and 44.3 miles from Riverside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 75.7 miles (121.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.7 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 2:48 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.40 one way or $36.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around La Quinta and Mostly Sunny near Riverside.
Stop Ideas Near East Pasadena
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Your Home Away From Home
The Manor Hotel
City of South El Monte City Hall
City of Los Angeles
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to East Pasadena.
Pasadena, California
Glendale Transportation Center
Los Angeles Union Station
La Crescenta, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Quinta and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 75.72 mi (121.86 km).
#1 La Quinta
Town in Riverside County, California, United States
| Population | 42,271 |
| Coordinates | 34.3277800, -118.6406400 |
| Altitude | 594 |
| 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: 145 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $18.40 | $36.81 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $19.35 | $38.70 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $19.92 | $39.83 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $24.14 | $48.28 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.