How far is Taft, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Taft, CA to Riverside, CA is about 174 miles (280.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143.2 miles (230.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 17m 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 08m.
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.
The second most populous 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 Taft and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Taft and Riverside.
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1
Start on 4th Street
32 m · 10 sec · 4th Street
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2
Turn left onto Kern Street
1551 ft · 38 sec · Kern Street
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3
Continue on West Side Highway
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Side Highway
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4
Continue on California Street
2112 ft · 58 sec · California Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Poso Street
2486 ft · 50 sec · Poso Street
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6
Continue on Maricopa Highway
22.1 mi · 30 min · Maricopa Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right
2081 ft · 51 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Westside Freeway
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9
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: Pasadena
1347 ft · 18 sec
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12
Continue on Foothill Freeway
24.4 mi · 28 min · Foothill Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
19.1 mi · 22 min · Foothill Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2476 ft · 33 sec · Foothill Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
1.4 km · 2 min
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16
Continue on Orange Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Orange Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71: Corona
1.1 mi · 2 min
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18
Continue on Chino Valley Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Chino Valley Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 60 East: Riverside
1.4 mi · 3 min
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20
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Pomona Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
2448 ft · 1 min
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22
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
852 ft · 15 sec · Mission Boulevard
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23
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · Van Buren Boulevard
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24
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue
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25
Turn sharp right
52 m · 13 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Taft 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.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight right
58.3 mi · 01h 07m
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 Taft 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 Taft to Riverside?
The road trip is about 174 miles (280.1 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?
Santa Clarita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.9 miles from Taft and 89.2 miles from Riverside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143.2 miles (230.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.8 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 10:42 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.42 one way or $70.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Taft and Mostly Sunny near Riverside.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Clarita
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 Santa Clarita.
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Chatsworth station
Simi Valley
Van Nuys station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Taft and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 143.16 mi (230.4 km).
#1 Taft
City in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 8,488 |
| Coordinates | 35.1424700, -119.4565100 |
| Altitude | 291 |
| 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: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $35.42 | $70.84 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $37.25 | $74.49 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $38.33 | $76.66 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $46.46 | $92.92 |
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.