How far is Riverside, CA from East Los Angeles, CA?

The driving distance from Riverside, CA to East Los Angeles, CA is about 50.1 miles (80.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 44.7 miles (72 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
50.16 mi
01h 04m
Flight
44.71 mi
71.96 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Riverside.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
44.71 mi
Kilometers
71.96 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
50.16 mi
Kilometers
80.72 km
Drive Time
01h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in East Los Angeles
Sat, Apr 18, 11:21 PM PDT
Return by in Riverside
Sun, Apr 19, 12:25 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Riverside
2026-04-18T22:16
Arrive East Los Angeles
Sat, Apr 18, 11:21 PM PDT
Route Timing
01h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:04 AM to 11:04 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:22 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Riverside
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Diamond Bar
CA

A city in Los Angeles County, California.

From Riverside
25 mi
00h 32m
To East Los Angeles
25.1 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W
Destination
82°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Riverside and East Los Angeles.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and East Los Angeles.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    55 m · 14 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    29 m · 7 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Magnolia Avenue

    70 m · 15 sec · Magnolia Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    3.5 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Van Buren Boulevard

    6.1 mi · 8 min · Van Buren Boulevard

  6. 6

    Continue on Mission Boulevard

    1434 ft · 24 sec · Mission Boulevard

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight left toward CA 60 West

    1617 ft · 41 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway

    18 mi · 21 min · Pomona Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Orange Freeway

    123 m · 5 sec · Orange Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 60 Alt West: Brea Canyon Road

    2.6 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Pomona Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Pomona Freeway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway

    2 mi · 2 min · Pomona Freeway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway

    11.2 mi · 13 min · Pomona Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 710 South, I 710 North: Long Beach, Valley Boulevard

    1406 ft · 34 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 710 South: Long Beach, Long Beach Freeway

    1.3 km · 2 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Long Beach Freeway

    1539 ft · 24 sec · Long Beach Freeway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Whittier Boulevard, Olympic Boulevard

    574 ft · 14 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on Whittier Boulevard

    48 m · 4 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto South Eastern Avenue

    678 ft · 20 sec · South Eastern Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Whittier Boulevard

    593 ft · 24 sec · Whittier Boulevard

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Burger Avenue

    41 m · 5 sec · Burger Avenue

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Burger Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and East Los Angeles.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
45.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pomona Freeway
35.5 mi · 71%
Van Buren Boulevard
6.06 mi · 12%
Central Avenue
3.55 mi · 7%
CA 60 Alt West
2.56 mi · 5%
I 710 South
1.07 mi · 2%
CA 60 West
0.31 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Pomona Freeway

Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway

18 mi · 00h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.4 mi
44.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Diamond Bar
00h 32m from Riverside
Leave By
4:22 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Riverside and Mostly Sunny near East Los Angeles.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Riverside to East Los Angeles?

The road trip is about 50.1 miles (80.7 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?

Diamond Bar is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25 miles from Riverside and 25.1 miles from East Los Angeles.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 44.7 miles (72 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:22 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.21 one way or $20.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Riverside and Mostly Sunny near East Los Angeles.

Stop Ideas Near Diamond Bar

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Diamond Bar and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Coffee break 6.3 mi away

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Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Diamond Bar.

RAIL

Pomona station

6 mi away
100 West Commercial Street
BUS

Claremont, California

11 mi away
200 West First St.
RAIL

Ontario

15 mi away
228 South Plum Street
RAIL

Fullerton Transportation Center

21 mi away
120 East Santa Fe Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and East Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 44.71 mi (71.96 km).

Riverside

#1 Riverside

The most populous city in Riverside County, California and the center of the Riverside metropolitan area.

Population330,786
Coordinates33.9533500, -117.3961600
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
East Los Angeles

#2 East Los Angeles

Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Population126,496
Coordinates34.0239000, -118.1720200
Altitude61
CountryUnited States
Start: Riverside (-117.39616, 33.95335)
End: East Los Angeles (-118.17202, 34.0239)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 81 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.77 gal
6.7 L · about $10.21
Round trip
$20.42
3.54 gal · 13.4 L
Estimated CO2
15.7 kg one way
Round trip: 31.5 kg / 69 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $10.21 $20.42
Mid-grade $6.07 $10.74 $21.47
Premium $6.24 $11.05 $22.10
Diesel $7.57 $13.39 $26.79

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

There is no time difference between Riverside and East Los Angeles. The current time is 22:16:55.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.