How far is Riverside, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to Downey, CA is about 48.7 miles (78.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.2 miles (67.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 01m 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 00m.
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.
A city in Orange County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverside and Downey.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Downey.
-
1
Start on the route
27 m · 8 sec
-
2
Turn slight right onto Central Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Central Avenue
-
3
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 91 West: Beach Cities
1486 ft · 38 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
10.7 mi · 12 min · Riverside Freeway
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward Main Street
1526 ft · 20 sec
-
6
Continue straight
16.7 mi · 19 min
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Riverside Freeway
8.8 mi · 10 min · Riverside Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1.3 km · 2 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
6.2 mi · 7 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Norwalk Boulevard, Imperial Highway
1208 ft · 32 sec
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11
Continue on Adoree Street
2602 ft · 54 sec · Adoree Street
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12
Turn left onto Imperial Highway
3209 ft · 1 min · Imperial Highway
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13
Turn slight right onto Firestone Boulevard
2.9 mi · 5 min · Firestone Boulevard
-
14
Turn right
13 m · 3 sec
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and Downey.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Main Street
Continue straight
16.7 mi · 00h 19m
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 Mostly Sunny near Downey.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Downey?
The road trip is about 48.7 miles (78.3 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?
Yorba Linda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.3 miles from Riverside and 24.4 miles from Downey.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.2 miles (67.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 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 4:28 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.92 one way or $19.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Riverside and Mostly Sunny near Downey.
Stop Ideas Near Yorba Linda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
bamboo house
Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Yorba Linda.
Fullerton Transportation Center
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Pomona station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Downey. Straight-line distance: 42.22 mi (67.94 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 Downey
The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 109,202 |
| Coordinates | 33.9400100, -118.1325700 |
| Altitude | 36 |
| Country | United States |
End: Downey (-118.13257, 33.94001)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.92 | $19.85 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.43 | $20.87 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $10.74 | $21.48 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $13.02 | $26.03 |
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.