How far is Riverside, CA from Running Springs, CA?

The driving distance from Riverside, CA to Running Springs, CA is about 35.2 miles (56.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 24 miles (38.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
35.16 mi
00h 51m
Flight
24.06 mi
38.72 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Riverside.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
24.06 mi
Kilometers
38.72 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.16 mi
Kilometers
56.59 km
Drive Time
00h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Running Springs
Thu, Apr 23, 2:28 AM PDT
Return by in Riverside
Thu, Apr 23, 3:19 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Riverside
2026-04-23T01:37
Arrive Running Springs
Thu, Apr 23, 2:28 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:51 AM to 10:51 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:48 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Riverside
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Highland
CA

A city in San Bernardino County, California.

From Riverside
17.6 mi
00h 25m
To Running Springs
17.6 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph SW
Destination
64°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Riverside and Running Springs.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Running Springs.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    27 m · 8 sec

  2. 2

    Turn slight right onto Central Avenue

    1.2 km · 2 min · Central Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward CA 91 East: San Bernardino

    1454 ft · 37 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway

    8.6 mi · 10 min · Riverside Freeway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East: Redlands

    1.1 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 210 West: Highland, Big Bear

    1.2 km · 52 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on Foothill Freeway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Foothill Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 330 North: Big Bear

    2035 ft · 27 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Steve Faris Memorial Highway

    14.8 mi · 25 min · Steve Faris Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Turn slight right onto Running Springs

    604 ft · 29 sec

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn sharp left onto Hilltop Drive

    815 ft · 17 sec · Hilltop Drive

  13. 13

    Continue on Hilltop Boulevard

    122 m · 11 sec · Hilltop Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Wagon Wheel Drive

    24 m · 3 sec · Wagon Wheel Drive

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Wagon Wheel Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and Running Springs.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
42.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Steve Faris Memorial Highway
14.8 mi · 42%
Riverside Freeway
8.56 mi · 24%
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
4.78 mi · 14%
Foothill Freeway
3.79 mi · 11%
CA 210 West
0.76 mi · 2%
Central Avenue
0.74 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Steve Faris Memorial Highway

Continue on Steve Faris Memorial Highway

14.8 mi · 00h 25m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.2 mi
24 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Highland
00h 25m from Riverside
Leave By
4:48 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Riverside and Sunny near Running Springs.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Running Springs?

The road trip is about 35.2 miles (56.6 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?

Highland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.6 miles from Riverside and 17.6 miles from Running Springs.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 24 miles (38.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 4:48 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.15 one way or $14.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Riverside and Sunny near Running Springs.

Stop Ideas Near Highland

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Highland and the surrounding midpoint area.
Bear Springs Hotel
Food stop 2.5 mi away

Bear Springs Hotel

Highland , CA
27959 Highland Ave, Highland, CA 92346, United States
Rating 4.6/5 543 reviews Hotel,Restaurant
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 9.9 mi away

City Hall

Rialto , CA
100-198 S Palm Ave, Rialto, CA 92376, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Parking lot
San Bernardino County Land Use
Meeting point 5.1 mi away

San Bernardino County Land Use

San Bernardino , CA
385 N Arrowhead Ave, First Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415, United States
Rating 4.8/5 5 reviews City government office,County government office
City of Fontana Civic Center
Nearby stop 13.5 mi away

City of Fontana Civic Center

Fontana , CA
8353 Sierra Ave, Fontana, CA 92335, United States
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews Business center,Civic center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Highland.

RAIL

San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot

9 mi away
1170 West Third Street (all Trains and Buses)
RAIL

Riverside–Downtown

22 mi away
4066 Vine St.
BUS

Moreno Valley, California

25 mi away
2650 East Alessandro Blvd.
BUS

Perris, California

37 mi away
1688-J North Perris Blvd

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Running Springs. Straight-line distance: 24.06 mi (38.72 km).

Riverside

#1 Riverside

The most populous city in Riverside County, California and the center of the Riverside metropolitan area.

Population330,786
Coordinates33.9533500, -117.3961600
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Running Springs

#2 Running Springs

Census-designated place in San Bernardino County, California

Population4,862
Coordinates34.2077900, -117.1092000
Altitude1862
CountryUnited States
Start: Riverside (-117.39616, 33.95335)
End: Running Springs (-117.1092, 34.20779)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 57 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.24 gal
4.7 L · about $7.15
Round trip
$14.31
2.48 gal · 9.4 L
Estimated CO2
11 kg one way
Round trip: 22 kg / 49 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $7.15 $14.31
Mid-grade $6.07 $7.52 $15.04
Premium $6.24 $7.74 $15.48
Diesel $7.57 $9.38 $18.77

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

There is no time difference between Riverside and Running Springs. The current time is 01:37:12.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.