Connecting California City to Riverside covers 115.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is relatively short, this trip is perfectly manageable as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly transit across the Pacific Coast region. The route relies on a combination of California City Boulevard, the Mojave-Barstow Highway, and the Barstow-Bakersfield Highway. While it functions well as a straightforward day trip, be prepared for a drive that favors local roads over high-speed interstate travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.5 miles from California City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
41.6 mi
51m
Mojave-Barstow Highway
16.2 mi
17m
California City Boulevard
10.9 mi
16m
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
9.7 mi
10m
Barstow Freeway
9.5 mi
10m
Riverside Freeway
8.9 mi
10m
CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
5.6 mi
6m
San Bernardino Freeway
5.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 41.6 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between California City, CA and Riverside, CA.
1
Start on California City Boulevard
2.5 mi·4 min·California City Boulevard
2
Continue on California City Boulevard
8.4 mi·12 min·California City Boulevard
Use the right lane.
3
At end of road, turn left onto CA 58
16 mi·17 min·Mojave-Barstow Highway
4
Continue on CA 58
5.2 mi·6 min·Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 206Toward US 395: Bishop, San BernardinoUse the right lane.
6
Turn left onto US 395
42 mi·51 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 15 South: San Bernardino, Los AngelesUse the straight lane.
8
Merge onto I 15; US 66 Hist
3.4 mi·3 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist; US 91 Hist; US 395 Hist
5.6 mi·6 min·CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
6.3 mi·6 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 215
0.2 mi·13 sec·Barstow Freeway
Exit 123
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 215
9.3 mi·10 min·Barstow Freeway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 215
5.6 mi·6 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 215
5.3 mi·6 min·Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on CA 91
3.6 mi·4 min·Riverside Freeway
Exit 34BUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 62Toward Central Avenue, Riverside Plaza AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Central Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Central Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn slight left
171 ft·12 sec
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 115.3-mile drive, plan your departure for a time of day when you feel most comfortable navigating local roads rather than high-speed lanes. Since there are no designated stops programmed into this route, consider your personal endurance and build in your own breaks to maintain focus during the 2-hour and 13-minute transit. Budgeting $16 for fuel is a solid baseline, but keep in mind that local road driving can sometimes be less fuel-efficient than steady highway cruising. Your greatest advantage on this trip is the flexibility of a one-day timeframe, which allows you to start whenever fits your schedule best. Always double-check your navigation before setting out, as the reliance on local highways requires more frequent attention to turn-by-turn directions.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.5 miles from California City, CA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.5 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverside, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving California City, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from California City, CA
This is one driving day of about 115.1 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from California City, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 41.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.4 and 114.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
32.4 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward US 395: Bishop, San Bernardino
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 206
Toward US 395: Bishop, San Bernardino
7
74.2 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 15 South: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 15 South: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
5
74.9 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|I 15; US 66 Hist / Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Merge onto I 15; US 66 Hist / Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
90.4 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|I 215 / Barstow Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 215 / Barstow Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
114.1 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward Central Avenue, Riverside Plaza Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 62
Toward Central Avenue, Riverside Plaza Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.45 one way
$52.91 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$27.26
$54.52
premium
$6.18
$27.99
$55.98
diesel
$5.61
$25.41
$50.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.5
0
$12.09
$5.52
Efficient EV
28.8
0
$10.07
$4.60
EV Truck/SUV
46
0
$16.11
$7.37
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
California City, CA
Morning
in California City on Sunday
Local time
7:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Riverside, CA
Morning
in Riverside on Sunday
Local time
7:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
20 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 19m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy experience as you navigate this 115.3-mile path, which features zero percent highway travel. Since the route relies entirely on local roads, you will find yourself dealing with frequent changes in direction rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of interstate cruising. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on California City Boulevard, emphasizing the technical, local nature of the drive. The personality of this route is defined by its constant pace changes, requiring you to stay alert at the wheel throughout the entire 2-hour and 13-minute duration. It is less about high-speed transit and more about navigating the specific local network connecting these two California cities.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.6 mi on Blue Star Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 32.4 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 115.1 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 32.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.9 miles (I 15; US 66 Hist / Barstow and Mojave Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,657 ft829 ft
Total Climb
1,556 ft
Total Descent
3,131 ft
Highest Point
3,657 ft
~74 mi in
Elevation Range
2,828 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between California City, CA and Riverside, CA, road signs point toward San Bernardino and Los Angeles.
Riverside is a city in Riverside County in California. With a population of over 300,000, the city plays host to a diverse cross-section of people and has a rich history. Riverside is approximately 55 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. It is a center for higher education, with one community college, a large state university, and two private universities. A hub of regional commerce and transportation, it is a city with an intriguing past and a promising future, and is worth a visit.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 115.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.6 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Riverside, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.9 miles (I 15; US 66 Hist / Barstow and Mojave Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Riverside, CA before heading back.
