How far is Riverside, CA from Tehachapi, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to Tehachapi, CA is about 138.5 miles (222.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 101.1 miles (162.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 29m 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 44m.
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.
Census-designated place in Kern County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverside and Tehachapi.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Tehachapi.
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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
41.8 mi · 52 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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14
Turn left onto CA 58 West: Mojave
2667 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
4.8 mi · 5 min · Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
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16
Continue on Mojave-Barstow Highway
26.9 mi · 30 min · Mojave-Barstow Highway
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17
Continue on Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
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18
Continue on Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
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19
Continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
12.5 mi · 14 min · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Monolith, Tehachapi Boulevard
1553 ft · 45 sec
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21
Turn left onto East Tehachapi Boulevard
2.3 mi · 3 min · East Tehachapi Boulevard
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22
Turn left onto South Curry Street
14 m · 1 sec · South Curry Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Curry Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and Tehachapi.
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
41.8 mi · 00h 52m
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 Mostly Sunny near Tehachapi.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Tehachapi?
The road trip is about 138.5 miles (222.9 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?
Boron is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.3 miles from Riverside and 69.2 miles from Tehachapi.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 101.1 miles (162.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.4 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 1:00 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.21 one way or $56.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Riverside and Mostly Sunny near Tehachapi.
Stop Ideas Near Boron
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 Boron.
Mojave, California
Lancaster, California
Barstow Harvey House
Barstow (Bus), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Tehachapi. Straight-line distance: 101.12 mi (162.73 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 Tehachapi
City in California
| Population | 12,746 |
| Coordinates | 35.1321900, -118.4489700 |
| Altitude | 1210 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tehachapi (-118.44897, 35.13219)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 223 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $28.21 | $56.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $29.66 | $59.33 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $30.53 | $61.06 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $37.00 | $74.01 |
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.