How far is Riverside, CA from Irvine, CA?
Fastest route
The distance between Riverside, California and Irvine, California is approximately 39.0 miles (62.8 kilometers). The fastest route is via CA-91 W and the estimated travel time is about 40 minutes.
Directions
- Start your journey on Tenth St in Riverside.
- Turn left toward Tenth St.
- Use the middle lane to take the ramp onto CA-91 W.
- Continue on CA-91 W and follow the signs for CA-91 W/Beach Cities.
- Take exit 41B for CA-241 S/Eastern Transportation Corridor toward Irvine (toll road).
- Merge onto CA-241 S/Eastern Transportation Corridor (toll road).
- Take exit 32 for CA-261 S toward Irvine (toll road).
- Continue onto Jamboree Rd.
- Turn left onto Alton Pkwy.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🛣️ To avoid traffic, consider checking the real-time traffic conditions on CA-91 W before starting your journey.
- 🚗 Keep change or electronic payment methods ready for tolls on CA-241 S/Eastern Transportation Corridor.
- 🚦 Pay attention to road signs and follow the directions carefully to stay on the correct route.
- ⛽ It's a good idea to have enough fuel in your vehicle before starting the journey.
- 📱 Consider using a navigation app or GPS device to help you navigate the route accurately.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The second most populous city in Riverside 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 Irvine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Irvine.
-
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
9.1 mi · 11 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 241 South: Irvine
1.2 mi · 1 min
-
8
Continue on Eastern Transportation Corridor
5.7 mi · 7 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Eastern Transportation Corridor
6.4 mi · 7 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
-
10
Continue on Jamboree Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Jamboree Road
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: San Diego
946 ft · 15 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · San Diego Freeway
-
13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Diego Freeway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and Irvine.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Riverside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
10.7 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Riverside and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Irvine?
The road trip is about 42.8 miles (68.9 km) and usually takes 00h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Corona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.8 miles from Riverside and 23.1 miles from Irvine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.4 miles (50.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:06 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.71 one way or $17.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Riverside and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Stop Ideas Near Corona
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
City of Lake Forest
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
bamboo house
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Corona.
Riverside–Downtown
Ontario
Moreno Valley, California
Pomona station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Irvine. Straight-line distance: 31.39 mi (50.52 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 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-117.823114, 33.669436)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 69 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $8.71 | $17.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $9.16 | $18.32 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $9.43 | $18.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $11.43 | $22.85 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.