How far is Santa Ynez, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Ynez, CA to Riverside, CA is about 178.4 miles (287.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.9 miles (257.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 41m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Los Angeles 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 Santa Ynez and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ynez and Riverside.
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1
Start on Tivola Street
573 ft · 31 sec · Tivola Street
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2
Turn left onto Edison Street
1382 ft · 43 sec · Edison Street
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3
Turn left onto Mission Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · Mission Drive
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Chumash Highway
13 m · 1 sec · Chumash Highway
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
23.9 mi · 33 min · Chumash Highway
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward US 101 South
1206 ft · 32 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
17 mi · 20 min · El Camino Real
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8
Continue on Ventura Freeway
70.5 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Ventura Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Ventura Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Ventura Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
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16
Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway
17.9 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2476 ft · 33 sec · Foothill Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
1.4 km · 2 min
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19
Continue on Orange Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Orange Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71: Corona
1.1 mi · 2 min
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21
Continue on Chino Valley Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Chino Valley Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward CA 60 East: Riverside
1.4 mi · 3 min
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23
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Pomona Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
2448 ft · 1 min
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25
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
852 ft · 15 sec · Mission Boulevard
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26
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · Van Buren Boulevard
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27
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue
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28
Turn sharp right
52 m · 13 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ynez 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.
Ventura Freeway
Continue on Ventura Freeway
70.5 mi · 01h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Ynez and Mostly Sunny near Riverside.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Ynez to Riverside?
The road trip is about 178.4 miles (287.1 km) and usually takes 03h 41m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Agoura Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.1 miles from Santa Ynez and 89.3 miles from Riverside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.9 miles (257.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:38 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.34 one way or $72.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Ynez and Mostly Sunny near Riverside.
Stop Ideas Near Agoura Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Sheraton Agoura Hills Hotel
City of Thousand Oaks
Westlake Village Planning
Homewood Suites by Hilton Agoura Hills
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Agoura Hills.
Simi Valley
Moorpark
Chatsworth station
Camarillo station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ynez and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 159.87 mi (257.28 km).
#1 Santa Ynez
Town in Santa Barbara County, California, United States
| Population | 4,418 |
| Coordinates | 34.6144300, -120.0798700 |
| Altitude | 185 |
| 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: Riverside (-117.39616, 33.95335)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $36.34 | $72.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $38.22 | $76.43 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $39.33 | $78.66 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $47.67 | $95.34 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.