How far is Riverside, CA from South Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to South Pasadena, CA is about 50.9 miles (81.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 44.6 miles (71.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 19m 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 09m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverside and South Pasadena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and South 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 right to continue on I 10 West: Los Angeles
1.5 mi · 3 min
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14
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.6 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
7.6 mi · 9 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Fremont Avenue
156 m · 16 sec
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23
Turn left onto West Hellman Avenue
134 m · 13 sec · West Hellman Avenue
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24
Turn right onto Fremont Avenue
2634 ft · 1 min · Fremont Avenue
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25
Continue on South Fremont Avenue
1.9 mi · 4 min · South Fremont Avenue
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26
Turn right onto Huntington Drive
102 m · 8 sec · Huntington Drive
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27
Turn slight left
87 m · 13 sec
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28
Turn left onto Fair Oaks Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Fair Oaks Avenue
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fair Oaks Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and South 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.
Pomona Freeway
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
12.1 mi · 00h 14m
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 South Pasadena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to South Pasadena?
The road trip is about 50.9 miles (81.9 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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 South Pasadena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 44.6 miles (71.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 4:10 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 Mostly Sunny near South 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 South Pasadena. Straight-line distance: 44.62 mi (71.81 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 South Pasadena
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 24,995 |
| Coordinates | 34.1161200, -118.1503500 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Pasadena (-118.15035, 34.11612)
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 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.