How far is Riverside, CA from Lake Arrowhead, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to Lake Arrowhead, CA is about 36.8 miles (59.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23.5 miles (37.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m 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 00h 52m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place 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 Lake Arrowhead.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Lake Arrowhead.
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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
-
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
4.6 mi · 5 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Highland
3047 ft · 1 min
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7
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 1 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on CA 210 East
2326 ft · 57 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
2448 ft · 32 sec · Foothill Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 18: Waterman Avenue
1312 ft · 40 sec
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11
Turn left onto North Waterman Avenue
2.1 mi · 3 min · North Waterman Avenue
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12
Continue on Rim of the World Highway
16.1 mi · 24 min · Rim of the World Highway
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13
Turn left
1.5 mi · 3 min
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14
Turn right onto Mittry Drive
63 m · 9 sec · Mittry Drive
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mittry Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and Lake Arrowhead.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Rim of the World Highway
Continue on Rim of the World Highway
16.1 mi · 00h 24m
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 Lake Arrowhead.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Lake Arrowhead?
The road trip is about 36.8 miles (59.2 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Muscoy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.4 miles from Riverside and 18.4 miles from Lake Arrowhead.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23.5 miles (37.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 4:44 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.50 one way or $15.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Riverside and Mostly Sunny near Lake Arrowhead.
Stop Ideas Near Muscoy
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bear Springs Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn Fontana
City Hall
San Bernardino County Land Use
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Muscoy.
San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot
Riverside–Downtown
Moreno Valley, California
Ontario
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Lake Arrowhead. Straight-line distance: 23.57 mi (37.93 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 Lake Arrowhead
Census-designated place in San Bernardino County, California, United States
| Population | 12,424 |
| Coordinates | 34.2483400, -117.1892100 |
| Altitude | 1577 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Arrowhead (-117.18921, 34.24834)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 59 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $7.50 | $15.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $7.89 | $15.77 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $8.12 | $16.23 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $9.84 | $19.67 |
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.