How far is Seal Beach, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Seal Beach, CA to Riverside, CA is about 51.8 miles (83.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43.2 miles (69.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 04m 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 02m.
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.
A city in Orange 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 Seal Beach and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seal Beach and Riverside.
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1
Start on Main Street
1269 ft · 36 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn right onto Pacific Coast Highway
2497 ft · 57 sec · Pacific Coast Highway
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3
Turn left onto Seal Beach Boulevard
2.6 mi · 4 min · Seal Beach Boulevard
-
4
Take the ramp right toward CA 22 East, I 405 South: San Diego, Garden Grove
2087 ft · 53 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Garden Grove Freeway
12.6 mi · 15 min · Garden Grove Freeway
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7
Continue on Garden Grove Freeway
1 km · 43 sec · Garden Grove Freeway
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8
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
4.8 mi · 5 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
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9
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
26.1 mi · 30 min · Riverside Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Madison Street
1145 ft · 36 sec
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11
Turn left onto Madison Street
2568 ft · 1 min · Madison Street
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12
Turn right onto Magnolia Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Magnolia Avenue
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13
Turn right
31 m · 8 sec
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14
At the end of the road, turn left
55 m · 13 sec
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Seal Beach 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.
Riverside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
26.1 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Seal Beach and Sunny near Riverside.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Seal Beach to Riverside?
The road trip is about 51.8 miles (83.4 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?
Yorba Linda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.4 miles from Seal Beach and 26.4 miles from Riverside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 43.2 miles (69.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.6 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 4:26 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.56 one way or $21.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Seal Beach and Sunny near Riverside.
Stop Ideas Near Yorba Linda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
bamboo house
Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Yorba Linda.
Fullerton Transportation Center
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Pomona station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Seal Beach and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 43.22 mi (69.56 km).
#1 Seal Beach
City in Organg County, California, United States
| Population | 23,887 |
| Coordinates | 33.7414100, -118.1047900 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| 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: 83 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 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 | $10.56 | $21.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $11.10 | $22.20 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $11.42 | $22.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $13.85 | $27.70 |
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.