How far is Riverside, CA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to Palmdale, CA is about 77.2 miles (124.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.7 miles (96.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 22m 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 41m.
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.
Unincorporated community in California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverside and Palmdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Palmdale.
-
1
Start on the route
27 m · 8 sec
-
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
-
4
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
8.6 mi · 10 min · Riverside Freeway
-
5
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · San Bernardino Freeway
-
6
Continue on Barstow Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Barstow Freeway
-
7
Keep slight left
1141 ft · 14 sec
-
8
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.8 mi · 7 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 138: Palmdale, Silverwood Lake
1360 ft · 37 sec
-
10
Turn left
39.9 mi · 56 min
-
11
Continue on 47th Street East
1.8 mi · 3 min · 47th Street East
-
12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East Palmdale Boulevard
88 m · 10 sec · East Palmdale Boulevard
-
13
Exit the roundabout onto East Palmdale Boulevard
4.1 mi · 5 min · East Palmdale Boulevard
-
14
Continue on East Palmdale Boulevard
23 m · 8 sec · East Palmdale Boulevard
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Palmdale Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and Palmdale.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn left
39.9 mi · 00h 56m
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 Sunny near Palmdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Palmdale?
The road trip is about 77.2 miles (124.2 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?
Phelan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.6 miles from Riverside and 38.6 miles from Palmdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59.7 miles (96.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.5 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 3:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.69 one way or $31.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Riverside and Sunny near Palmdale.
Stop Ideas Near Phelan
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 Phelan.
Victor Valley Transportation Center
Victorville, CA
Claremont, California
Littlerock, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Palmdale. Straight-line distance: 59.69 mi (96.06 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 Palmdale
The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 150,498 |
| Coordinates | 34.5794300, -118.1164600 |
| Altitude | 810 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palmdale (-118.11646, 34.57943)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 124 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $15.69 | $31.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $16.50 | $33.00 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $16.98 | $33.96 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $20.58 | $41.16 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.