How far is Riverside, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to Santa Clarita, CA is about 84.1 miles (135.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 72.2 miles (116.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 34m 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 47m.
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 the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverside and Santa Clarita.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Santa Clarita.
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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
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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
18.3 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
25.6 mi · 30 min · Foothill Freeway
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18
Keep slight right
686 ft · 9 sec
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19
Merge slight right
1.6 km · 1 min
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20
Keep slight left
4.8 mi · 5 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Lyons Avenue, Pico Canyon Road
878 ft · 21 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Lyons Avenue, Newhall, William S. Hart Park, The Master's University
149 m · 12 sec
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23
Turn straight onto Lyons Avenue
1604 ft · 36 sec · Lyons Avenue
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24
Turn left onto Wiley Canyon Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Wiley Canyon Road
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25
Turn right onto Orchard Village Road
936 ft · 25 sec · Orchard Village Road
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26
Turn left onto 16th Street
1674 ft · 46 sec · 16th Street
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27
Turn left onto Newhall Avenue
137 m · 20 sec · Newhall Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Newhall Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and Santa Clarita.
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
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
25.6 mi · 00h 30m
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 Mostly Sunny near Santa Clarita.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Santa Clarita?
The road trip is about 84.1 miles (135.3 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?
Monrovia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42 miles from Riverside and 42.1 miles from Santa Clarita.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 72.2 miles (116.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.9 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 2:56 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.13 one way or $34.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Riverside and Mostly Sunny near Santa Clarita.
Stop Ideas Near Monrovia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Your Home Away From Home
Ayres Suites Diamond Bar
City Hall Park Center
El Monte City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Monrovia.
Pasadena, California
Glendale Transportation Center
Los Angeles Union Station
Pomona station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Santa Clarita. Straight-line distance: 72.19 mi (116.18 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 Santa Clarita
The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 209,990 |
| Coordinates | 34.3916600, -118.5425900 |
| Altitude | 368 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Clarita (-118.54259, 34.39166)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 135 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $17.13 | $34.27 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $18.02 | $36.03 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $18.54 | $37.08 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $22.47 | $44.95 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.