How far is Riverside, CA from Buellton, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to Buellton, CA is about 191.4 miles (308 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 166 miles (267.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 50m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 fifth most populous city in Ventura 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 Buellton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Buellton.
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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
18.3 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Ventura Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
2776 ft · 36 sec · Ventura Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles, Sacramento
1862 ft · 24 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 North, CA 134 West: Golden State Freeway, Sacramento, Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
98 m · 4 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
1317 ft · 17 sec
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23
Keep slight left to continue on CA 134: Ventura
715 ft · 9 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
1 km · 44 sec · Ventura Freeway
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
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26
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 53 sec · Ventura Freeway
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27
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
54.7 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Ventura Freeway
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28
Keep slight left
18.5 mi · 21 min
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29
Continue on El Camino Real
55.3 mi · 1 hr 5 min · El Camino Real
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30
Take the exit slight right toward CA 246: Lompoc, Solvang
807 ft · 25 sec
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31
Turn left
1037 ft · 22 sec
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32
Continue straight
88 m · 29 sec
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33
Turn sharp left
50 m · 12 sec
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and Buellton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
El Camino Real
Continue on El Camino Real
55.3 mi · 01h 05m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Riverside and Sunny near Buellton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Buellton?
The road trip is about 191.4 miles (308 km) and usually takes 03h 50m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Thousand Oaks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.6 miles from Riverside and 95.8 miles from Buellton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 166 miles (267.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:20 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.94 one way or $77.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Riverside and Sunny near Buellton.
Stop Ideas Near Thousand Oaks
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bella Capri Inn & Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites Camarillo
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Camarillo
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Thousand Oaks.
Moorpark
Simi Valley
Camarillo station
Chatsworth station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Buellton. Straight-line distance: 166.03 mi (267.2 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 Buellton
City in Santa Barbara County, California
| Population | 5,449 |
| Coordinates | 34.6136000, -120.1926500 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buellton (-120.19265, 34.6136)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 308 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $38.94 | $77.88 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $40.95 | $81.89 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $42.14 | $84.28 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $51.08 | $102.15 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.