How far is Riverside, CA from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to Pasadena, CA is about 51 miles (82 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 44.9 miles (72.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 15m 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 07m.
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.
The sixth most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverside and Pasadena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Pasadena.
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1
Start on the route
55 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn right
29 m · 7 sec
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3
Turn right onto Magnolia Avenue
70 m · 15 sec · Magnolia Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.5 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi · 8 min · Van Buren Boulevard
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6
Continue on Mission Boulevard
1434 ft · 24 sec · Mission Boulevard
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7
Take the ramp slight left toward CA 60 West
1617 ft · 41 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
12.1 mi · 14 min · Pomona Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
1213 ft · 30 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on CA 71 North: Pomona
2510 ft · 1 min
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11
Keep slight left
811 ft · 20 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Chino Valley Freeway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Chino Valley Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on CA 57 North
1.2 km · 2 min
-
14
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 210 West: Pasadena
1.1 mi · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
18.1 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Fair Oaks Avenue North, Marengo Avenue
1438 ft · 35 sec
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18
Turn straight onto East Maple Street
62 m · 5 sec · East Maple Street
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19
Turn left onto North Marengo Avenue
1832 ft · 1 min · North Marengo Avenue
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20
Turn left onto East Holly Street
134 m · 20 sec · East Holly Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Holly Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and Pasadena.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Foothill Freeway
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
18.1 mi · 00h 21m
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 Sunny near Pasadena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Pasadena?
The road trip is about 51 miles (82 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?
Pomona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.4 miles from Riverside and 25.5 miles from Pasadena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 44.9 miles (72.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 4:14 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.38 one way or $20.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Riverside and Sunny near Pasadena.
Stop Ideas Near Pomona
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Your Home Away From Home
Embassy Suites by Hilton Brea North Orange County
Chino City Hall
Cucamonga Sign Shop LLC
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pomona.
Pomona station
Claremont, California
Ontario
Fullerton Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Pasadena. Straight-line distance: 44.9 mi (72.26 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 Pasadena
The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 141,045 |
| Coordinates | 34.1477800, -118.1445200 |
| Altitude | 263 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pasadena (-118.14452, 34.14778)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 82 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $10.38 | $20.77 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.92 | $21.84 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $11.24 | $22.47 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $13.62 | $27.24 |
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.