How far is Ridgecrest, CA from Ricardo, CA?

The driving distance from Ridgecrest, CA to Ricardo, CA is about 35.2 miles (56.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 24.8 miles (39.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
35.16 mi
00h 49m
Flight
24.81 mi
39.93 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ridgecrest.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
24.81 mi
Kilometers
39.93 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.16 mi
Kilometers
56.59 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ricardo
Thu, Apr 16, 5:52 AM PDT
Return by in Ridgecrest
Thu, Apr 16, 6:41 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ridgecrest
2026-04-16T05:03
Arrive Ricardo
Thu, Apr 16, 5:52 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:52 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ridgecrest
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Indian Wells
CA

Town in California

From Ridgecrest
17.6 mi
00h 24m
To Ricardo
17.6 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph WSW
Destination
69°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Ridgecrest and Ricardo.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ridgecrest and Ricardo.

  1. 1

    Start on West Ridgecrest Boulevard

    82 m · 11 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North China Lake Boulevard

    2723 ft · 1 min · North China Lake Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Las Flores Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · West Las Flores Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Downs Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · North Downs Street

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West Inyokern Road

    11.2 mi · 16 min · West Inyokern Road

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Aerospace Highway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Aerospace Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Midland Trail

    17.7 mi · 20 min · Midland Trail

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Abbott Drive

    1.2 km · 3 min · Abbott Drive

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Abbott Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ridgecrest and Ricardo.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
9 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Midland Trail
17.7 mi · 50%
West Inyokern Road
11.2 mi · 32%
Aerospace Highway
2.45 mi · 7%
North Downs Street
1.51 mi · 4%
West Las Flores Avenue
1 mi · 3%
Abbott Drive
0.76 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Midland Trail

Continue on Midland Trail

17.7 mi · 00h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.4 mi
24.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Indian Wells
00h 24m from Ridgecrest
Leave By
4:52 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Ridgecrest and Mostly Sunny near Ricardo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ridgecrest to Ricardo?

The road trip is about 35.2 miles (56.6 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?

Indian Wells is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.6 miles from Ridgecrest and 17.6 miles from Ricardo.

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

The direct path is about 24.8 miles (39.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 4:52 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.15 one way or $14.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ridgecrest and Mostly Sunny near Ricardo.

Stop Ideas Near Indian Wells

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Indian Wells, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Indian Wells.

BUS

Mojave, California

73 mi away
15900 Sierra Highway
BUS

Tehachapi, California

79 mi away
Westside of Mullbery Street
RAIL

Bakersfield

109 mi away
601 Truxtun Ave
BUS

Lancaster, California

110 mi away
44812 Sierra Highway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ridgecrest and Ricardo. Straight-line distance: 24.81 mi (39.93 km).

Ridgecrest

#1 Ridgecrest

City in California

Population29,135
Coordinates35.6224600, -117.6709000
Altitude698
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Ricardo

Ricardo is a place in California, United States.

Population0
Coordinates35.3738500, -117.9892400
Altitude785
CountryUnited States
Start: Ridgecrest (-117.6709, 35.62246)
End: Ricardo (-117.98924, 35.37385)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 57 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.24 gal
4.7 L · about $7.15
Round trip
$14.31
2.48 gal · 9.4 L
Estimated CO2
11 kg one way
Round trip: 22 kg / 49 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $7.15 $14.31
Mid-grade $6.07 $7.52 $15.04
Premium $6.24 $7.74 $15.48
Diesel $7.57 $9.38 $18.77

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Ridgecrest and Ricardo. The current time is 05:03:43.

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.