How far is Malibu, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Malibu, CA to Riverside, CA is about 90 miles (144.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 79.5 miles (127.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 35m 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 47m.
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 Malibu and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Malibu and Riverside.
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1
Start on Pacific Coast Highway
17.5 mi · 31 min · Pacific Coast Highway
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2
Continue on Santa Monica Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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3
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Monica Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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4
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway
12.2 mi · 14 min · Pomona Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway
1.3 km · 55 sec · Pomona Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Pomona Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Pomona Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Pomona Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Pomona Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway
20.3 mi · 23 min · Pomona Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
2448 ft · 1 min
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13
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
852 ft · 15 sec · Mission Boulevard
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14
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · Van Buren Boulevard
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15
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue
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16
Turn sharp right
52 m · 13 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Malibu 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.
Pomona Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway
20.3 mi · 00h 23m
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 Malibu 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 Malibu to Riverside?
The road trip is about 90 miles (144.8 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?
South San Gabriel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.9 miles from Malibu and 47.1 miles from Riverside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 79.5 miles (127.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:54 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.35 one way or $36.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Malibu and Mostly Sunny near Riverside.
Stop Ideas Near South San Gabriel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Your Home Away From Home
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of South El Monte City Hall
City of Los Angeles
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South San Gabriel.
Pasadena, California
Los Angeles Union Station
Glendale Transportation Center
Fullerton Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Malibu and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 79.45 mi (127.87 km).
#1 Malibu
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 11,519 |
| Coordinates | 34.0257700, -118.7804000 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| 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) | 02h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 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 | $18.35 | $36.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $19.29 | $38.58 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $19.85 | $39.71 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $24.06 | $48.13 |
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.