How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Clarita, CA to Riverside, CA is about 86.8 miles (139.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 72.2 miles (116.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 12m 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 36m.
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
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Clarita and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Clarita and Riverside.
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1
Start on Newhall Avenue
137 m · 22 sec · Newhall Avenue
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2
Turn right onto 16th Street
1633 ft · 42 sec · 16th Street
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3
Turn left onto Orchard Village Road
3260 ft · 1 min · Orchard Village Road
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4
Turn left onto Lyons Avenue
2423 ft · 1 min · Lyons Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Newhall Avenue
2460 ft · 1 min · Newhall Avenue
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Newhall Avenue
22 m · 2 sec · Newhall Avenue
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Newhall Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Newhall Avenue
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8
Take the ramp right toward CA 14 South: Los Angeles
1079 ft · 26 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Antelope Valley Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · Antelope Valley Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Antelope Valley Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · Antelope Valley Freeway
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11
Keep slight left
2606 ft · 36 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
3096 ft · 41 sec · Golden State Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: Pasadena
1347 ft · 18 sec
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14
Continue on Foothill Freeway
24.4 mi · 28 min · Foothill Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
19.1 mi · 22 min · Foothill Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2476 ft · 33 sec · Foothill Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
1.4 km · 2 min
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18
Continue on Orange Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Orange Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71: Corona
1.1 mi · 2 min
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20
Continue on Chino Valley Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Chino Valley Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward CA 60 East: Riverside
1.4 mi · 3 min
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22
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Pomona Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
2448 ft · 1 min
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24
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
852 ft · 15 sec · Mission Boulevard
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25
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · Van Buren Boulevard
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26
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue
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27
Turn sharp right
52 m · 13 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Clarita and Riverside.
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
Continue on Foothill Freeway
24.4 mi · 00h 28m
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 Santa Clarita and Sunny near Riverside.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Clarita to Riverside?
The road trip is about 86.8 miles (139.7 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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 41.5 miles from Santa Clarita and 45.3 miles from Riverside.
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 14.6 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 3:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.65 one way or $35.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Clarita and Sunny near Riverside.
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 of South El Monte City Hall
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 Santa Clarita and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 72.19 mi (116.18 km).
#1 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 |
#2 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 |
End: (-117.396162, 33.953244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 140 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $17.65 | $35.31 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $18.56 | $37.12 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $19.10 | $38.21 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $23.16 | $46.31 |
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.