How far is Wrightwood, CA from Riverside, CA?

The driving distance from Wrightwood, CA to Riverside, CA is about 42.8 miles (68.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 31.3 miles (50.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
42.75 mi
00h 54m
Flight
31.25 mi
50.29 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wrightwood.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
31.25 mi
Kilometers
50.29 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
42.75 mi
Kilometers
68.8 km
Drive Time
00h 54m

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 00h 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Riverside
Fri, Apr 10, 1:06 PM PDT
Return by in Wrightwood
Fri, Apr 10, 2:00 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wrightwood
2026-04-10T12:11
Arrive Riverside
Fri, Apr 10, 1:06 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:54 AM to 10:54 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:42 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wrightwood
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Muscoy
CA

Census-designated place in San Bernardino County, California

From Wrightwood
21.4 mi
00h 27m
To Riverside
21.4 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
43°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 3:00 AM PDT
Wind
15 mph SSW
Destination
77°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Wrightwood and Riverside.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wrightwood and Riverside.

  1. 1

    Start on Park Drive

    33 m · 7 sec · Park Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Angeles Crest Highway

    2860 ft · 1 min · Angeles Crest Highway

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Lone Pine Canyon Road

    1927 ft · 55 sec · Lone Pine Canyon Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Thrush Road

    1014 ft · 31 sec · Thrush Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Heath Creek Road

    1075 ft · 37 sec · Heath Creek Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Lone Pine Canyon Road

    8.9 mi · 13 min · Lone Pine Canyon Road

  7. 7

    Turn right

    1 mi · 1 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right

    1656 ft · 41 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway

    6.3 mi · 7 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on Barstow Freeway

    1095 ft · 13 sec · Barstow Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Barstow Freeway

    9.3 mi · 10 min · Barstow Freeway

  12. 12

    Continue on San Bernardino Freeway

    5.6 mi · 6 min · San Bernardino Freeway

  13. 13

    Continue on Riverside Freeway

    5.3 mi · 6 min · Riverside Freeway

  14. 14

    Continue on Riverside Freeway

    3.6 mi · 4 min · Riverside Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Central Avenue, Riverside Plaza Avenue

    1280 ft · 33 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Central Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Central Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn slight left

    52 m · 13 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Wrightwood and Riverside.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
42.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lone Pine Canyon Road
9.56 mi · 22%
Barstow Freeway
9.47 mi · 22%
Riverside Freeway
8.87 mi · 21%
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.34 mi · 15%
San Bernardino Freeway
5.58 mi · 13%
Central Avenue
0.9 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Barstow Freeway

Keep slight left to continue on Barstow Freeway

9.26 mi · 00h 10m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.5 mi
31.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Muscoy
00h 27m from Wrightwood
Leave By
4:42 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Wrightwood and Sunny near Riverside.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Wrightwood to Riverside?

The road trip is about 42.8 miles (68.8 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?

Muscoy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.4 miles from Wrightwood and 21.4 miles from Riverside.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 31.3 miles (50.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:42 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.71 one way or $17.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Wrightwood and Sunny near Riverside.

Stop Ideas Near Muscoy

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Muscoy and the surrounding midpoint area.
Bear Springs Hotel
Food stop 11.5 mi away

Bear Springs Hotel

Highland , CA
27959 Highland Ave, Highland, CA 92346, United States
Rating 4.6/5 543 reviews Hotel,Restaurant
Hilton Garden Inn Fontana
Stay option 10.3 mi away

Hilton Garden Inn Fontana

Fontana , CA
10543 Sierra Ave, Fontana, CA 92337, United States
Rating 4.4/5 868 reviews Hotel
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 7.2 mi away

City Hall

Rialto , CA
100-198 S Palm Ave, Rialto, CA 92376, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Parking lot
San Bernardino County Land Use
Meeting point 8.4 mi away

San Bernardino County Land Use

San Bernardino , CA
385 N Arrowhead Ave, First Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415, United States
Rating 4.8/5 5 reviews City government office,County government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Muscoy.

RAIL

San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot

7 mi away
1170 West Third Street (all Trains and Buses)
RAIL

Riverside–Downtown

20 mi away
4066 Vine St.
BUS

Moreno Valley, California

27 mi away
2650 East Alessandro Blvd.
RAIL

Ontario

30 mi away
228 South Plum Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wrightwood and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 31.25 mi (50.29 km).

Wrightwood

#1 Wrightwood

Census-designated place in San Bernardino County, California

Population4,525
Coordinates34.3608300, -117.6333900
Altitude1809
CountryUnited States
Riverside

#2 Riverside

The most populous city in Riverside County, California and the center of the Riverside metropolitan area.

Population330,786
Coordinates33.9533500, -117.3961600
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Start: Wrightwood (-117.63339, 34.36083)
End: Riverside (-117.39616, 33.95335)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 69 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.51 gal
5.71 L · about $8.71
Round trip
$17.42
3.02 gal · 11.42 L
Estimated CO2
13.4 kg one way
Round trip: 26.8 kg / 59 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $8.71 $17.42
Mid-grade $6.07 $9.16 $18.32
Premium $6.24 $9.43 $18.85
Diesel $7.57 $11.43 $22.85

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 10, 2026

There is no time difference between Wrightwood and Riverside. The current time is 12:11:45.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.