How far is Tehachapi, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Tehachapi, CA to Riverside, CA is about 133 miles (214 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 101.1 miles (162.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 57m 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 28m.
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 Tehachapi and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tehachapi and Riverside.
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1
Start on South Curry Street
14 m · 5 sec · South Curry Street
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2
Turn right onto West Tehachapi Boulevard
2.1 mi · 3 min · West Tehachapi Boulevard
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3
Take the ramp right
2600 ft · 1 min
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4
Merge slight left onto Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
13.4 mi · 15 min · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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5
Continue on Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
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6
Continue on Mojave-Barstow Highway
26.9 mi · 30 min · Mojave-Barstow Highway
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7
Continue on Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 395: Bishop, San Bernardino
1715 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
41.6 mi · 52 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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10
Take the exit straight toward I 15 South: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
1.1 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Barstow and Mojave Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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12
Continue on CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
5.6 mi · 6 min · CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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14
Continue on Barstow Freeway
1095 ft · 13 sec · Barstow Freeway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Barstow Freeway
9.3 mi · 10 min · Barstow Freeway
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16
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
5.6 mi · 6 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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17
Continue on Riverside Freeway
5.3 mi · 6 min · Riverside Freeway
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18
Continue on Riverside Freeway
3.6 mi · 4 min · Riverside Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Central Avenue, Riverside Plaza Avenue
1280 ft · 33 sec
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20
Turn right onto Central Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Central Avenue
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21
Turn slight left
52 m · 13 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tehachapi 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.
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Turn left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
41.6 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 Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi to Riverside?
The road trip is about 133 miles (214 km) and usually takes 02h 28m 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 69.4 miles from Tehachapi and 63.6 miles from Riverside.
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 31.9 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 1:32 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.06 one way or $54.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Tehachapi and Mostly Sunny near Riverside.
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 Tehachapi and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 101.12 mi (162.73 km).
#1 Tehachapi
City in California
| Population | 12,746 |
| Coordinates | 35.1321900, -118.4489700 |
| Altitude | 1210 |
| 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: 214 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $27.06 | $54.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $28.45 | $56.90 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $29.28 | $58.56 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $35.49 | $70.98 |
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.