How far is Riverside, CA from California City, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to California City, CA is about 114.8 miles (184.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87.7 miles (141.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 40m 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 02h 20m.
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.
City in San Bernardino County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverside and California City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and California 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
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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6
Continue on Barstow Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Barstow Freeway
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7
Keep slight left
1141 ft · 14 sec
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8
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.8 mi · 7 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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9
Continue on CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
5.4 mi · 6 min · CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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11
Take the exit right toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
1549 ft · 38 sec
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12
Continue on US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
1.4 km · 2 min
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13
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
41.8 mi · 52 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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14
Turn left onto CA 58 West: Mojave
2667 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
4.8 mi · 5 min · Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
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16
Continue on Mojave-Barstow Highway
16.2 mi · 17 min · Mojave-Barstow Highway
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17
Turn right onto California City Boulevard
8.4 mi · 12 min · California City Boulevard
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18
Turn left onto California City Boulevard
2.5 mi · 4 min · California City Boulevard
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19
Turn left onto Neuralia Road
53 m · 15 sec · Neuralia Road
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20
Turn right
20 m · 7 sec
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21
Turn uturn onto California City Boulevard
29 m · 8 sec · California City Boulevard
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · California City Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and California 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.
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
41.8 mi · 00h 52m
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 Riverside and Mostly Sunny near California City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to California City?
The road trip is about 114.8 miles (184.7 km) and usually takes 02h 20m 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?
Adelanto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.4 miles from Riverside and 57.4 miles from California City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87.7 miles (141.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.1 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 1:50 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.36 one way or $46.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Riverside and Mostly Sunny near California City.
Stop Ideas Near Adelanto
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Adelanto.
Victor Valley Transportation Center
Victorville, CA
Barstow Harvey House
Barstow (Bus), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and California City. Straight-line distance: 87.69 mi (141.12 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 California City
City in Kern County, California
| Population | 14,198 |
| Coordinates | 35.1258000, -117.9859000 |
| Altitude | 733 |
| Country | United States |
End: California City (-117.9859, 35.1258)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 185 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $23.36 | $46.73 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $24.57 | $49.13 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $25.28 | $50.57 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $30.65 | $61.29 |
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.