How far is Riverside, CA from Big Bear City, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to Big Bear City, CA is about 56.7 miles (91.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38 miles (61.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 03m 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 31m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in San Bernardino County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverside and Big Bear City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Big Bear City.
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1
Start on the route
27 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn slight right onto Central Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Central Avenue
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3
Take the ramp left toward CA 91 East: San Bernardino
1454 ft · 37 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
8.6 mi · 10 min · Riverside Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East: Redlands
1.1 km · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 210 West: Highland, Big Bear
1.2 km · 52 sec
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8
Continue on Foothill Freeway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Foothill Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 330 North: Big Bear
2035 ft · 27 sec
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10
Continue on Steve Faris Memorial Highway
15 mi · 26 min · Steve Faris Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Hilltop Boulevard
2.2 mi · 4 min · Hilltop Boulevard
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12
Continue on Rim of the World Highway
10.2 mi · 19 min · Rim of the World Highway
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13
Continue on Big Bear Bridge
153 m · 8 sec · Big Bear Bridge
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14
Continue on Big Bear Boulevard
3.9 mi · 7 min · Big Bear Boulevard
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15
Continue on Big Bear Boulevard
5.3 mi · 11 min · Big Bear Boulevard
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Big Bear Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and Big Bear City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Steve Faris Memorial Highway
Continue on Steve Faris Memorial Highway
15 mi · 00h 26m
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 Riverside and Sunny near Big Bear City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Big Bear City?
The road trip is about 56.7 miles (91.3 km) and usually takes 01h 31m 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?
Running Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.3 miles from Riverside and 28.3 miles from Big Bear City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38 miles (61.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 3:26 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.54 one way or $23.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Riverside and Sunny near Big Bear City.
Stop Ideas Near Running Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bear Springs Hotel
Comfort Inn & Suites
City Hall
San Bernardino City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Running Springs.
San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot
Riverside–Downtown
Moreno Valley, California
Victorville, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Big Bear City. Straight-line distance: 38.03 mi (61.2 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 Big Bear City
Census designated place
| Population | 12,304 |
| Coordinates | 34.2611200, -116.8450300 |
| Altitude | 2064 |
| Country | United States |
End: Big Bear City (-116.84503, 34.26112)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 91 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $11.54 | $23.08 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $12.13 | $24.26 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $12.49 | $24.97 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $15.13 | $30.27 |
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 · Jun 10, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.