How far is Riverside, CA from Ridgecrest, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to Ridgecrest, CA is about 130.5 miles (210 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.4 miles (187.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 17m 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 02h 38m.
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.
City in San Bernardino County, 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 Ridgecrest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Ridgecrest.
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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
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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
5.5 mi · 6 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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6
Continue on Barstow Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Barstow Freeway
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7
Keep slight left
1141 ft · 14 sec
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8
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.8 mi · 7 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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9
Continue on CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
5.4 mi · 6 min · CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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11
Take the exit right toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
1549 ft · 38 sec
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12
Continue on US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
1.4 km · 2 min
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13
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
66.7 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Red Mountain Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Red Mountain Road
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15
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
16.1 mi · 19 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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16
Turn slight right onto South China Lake Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · South China Lake Boulevard
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17
Turn left onto West Ridgecrest Boulevard
127 m · 26 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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18
Continue on West Ridgecrest Boulevard
23 m · 3 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and Ridgecrest.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
66.7 mi · 01h 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Riverside and Sunny near Ridgecrest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Ridgecrest?
The road trip is about 130.5 miles (210 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?
Adelanto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.4 miles from Riverside and 65.1 miles from Ridgecrest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.4 miles (187.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.1 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 1:12 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.54 one way or $53.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Riverside and Sunny near Ridgecrest.
Stop Ideas Near Adelanto
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 Adelanto.
Victor Valley Transportation Center
Victorville, CA
Barstow Harvey House
Barstow (Bus), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Ridgecrest. Straight-line distance: 116.37 mi (187.28 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 Ridgecrest
City in California
| Population | 29,135 |
| Coordinates | 35.6224600, -117.6709000 |
| Altitude | 698 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ridgecrest (-117.6709, 35.62246)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 210 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $26.54 | $53.07 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $27.90 | $55.81 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $28.72 | $57.44 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $34.81 | $69.62 |
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.