How far is Riverside, CA from Altadena, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to Altadena, CA is about 51.3 miles (82.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 45.1 miles (72.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 22m 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 11m.
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.
The sixth most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverside and Altadena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Altadena.
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1
Start on the route
55 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn right
29 m · 7 sec
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3
Turn right onto Magnolia Avenue
70 m · 15 sec · Magnolia Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.5 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi · 8 min · Van Buren Boulevard
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6
Continue on Mission Boulevard
1434 ft · 24 sec · Mission Boulevard
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7
Take the ramp slight left toward CA 60 West
1617 ft · 41 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
12.1 mi · 14 min · Pomona Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
1213 ft · 30 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on CA 71 North: Pomona
2510 ft · 1 min
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11
Keep slight left
811 ft · 20 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Chino Valley Freeway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Chino Valley Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on CA 57 North
1.2 km · 2 min
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14
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 210 West: Pasadena
1.1 mi · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
13.6 mi · 16 min · Foothill Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward CA 19: Rosemead Boulevard, Michillinda Avenue
1441 ft · 19 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Rosemead Boulevard North, Michillinda Avenue
936 ft · 15 sec
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19
Turn left onto Foothill Boulevard
906 ft · 30 sec · Foothill Boulevard
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20
Turn right onto North Rosemead Boulevard
1.1 km · 1 min · North Rosemead Boulevard
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21
Continue on Rosemead Boulevard
617 ft · 13 sec · Rosemead Boulevard
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22
Turn straight onto Sierra Madre Villa Avenue
1339 ft · 31 sec · Sierra Madre Villa Avenue
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23
Turn straight onto New York Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · New York Drive
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24
Turn right onto Altadena Drive
2.6 mi · 6 min · Altadena Drive
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25
Turn left onto North Lake Avenue
60 m · 5 sec · North Lake Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lake Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and Altadena.
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 left onto Foothill Freeway
13.6 mi · 00h 16m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Riverside and Light Rain Likely near Altadena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Altadena?
The road trip is about 51.3 miles (82.6 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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?
Pomona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.7 miles from Riverside and 25.7 miles from Altadena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 45.1 miles (72.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.2 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 4:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.44 one way or $20.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Riverside and Light Rain Likely near Altadena.
Stop Ideas Near Pomona
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Your Home Away From Home
Embassy Suites by Hilton Brea North Orange County
Chino City Hall
Cucamonga Sign Shop LLC
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pomona.
Pomona station
Claremont, California
Ontario
Fullerton Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Altadena. Straight-line distance: 45.12 mi (72.62 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Altadena
Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 42,777 |
| Coordinates | 34.1897300, -118.1311800 |
| Altitude | 414 |
| Country | United States |
End: Altadena (-118.13118, 34.18973)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 83 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $10.44 | $20.88 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.98 | $21.96 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $11.30 | $22.60 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $13.70 | $27.39 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.