Origin
Chatsworth, CA
Morning in Chatsworth on Sunday
Local time
11:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chatsworth, CA to Riverside, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
82.1 mi
132 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chatsworth, CA
Dominik Gryzbon
Riverside, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 82.1-mile drive from Chatsworth, CA to Riverside, CA is a straightforward, mostly highway journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 45 minutes. With 79% of the route on highways, it’s a practical option for a single-day trip, so no overnight stays are necessary. Expect a fuel cost of around $19 for this leg. The route primarily utilizes the Foothill Freeway, Pomona Freeway, and Golden State Freeway, offering a direct connection between two points within the vast Pacific Coast region of California. This drive is designed for efficiency, getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.1 miles from Chatsworth, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Foothill Freeway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Pomona Freeway | 12 mi | 13m |
| Golden State Freeway | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| Ventura Freeway | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| Ronald Reagan Freeway | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Van Buren Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Central Avenue | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Orange Freeway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Foothill Freeway
— 18.4 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chatsworth, CA and Riverside, CA.
1
Start on Devonshire Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Devonshire Street
2
Turn left onto De Soto Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
De Soto Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward CA 118 East
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Merge onto CA 118
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
Ronald Reagan Freeway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 118
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Ronald Reagan Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 118
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ronald Reagan Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 118
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Ronald Reagan Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 118
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Ronald Reagan Freeway
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 5
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 144
Toward CA 134 East: Glendale, Pasadena
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto CA 134
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
Ventura Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 210
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
Foothill Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 44A
Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on CA 57
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 22C
Toward CA 71: Corona
Use the slight right lane.
20
Continue on CA 71
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Chino Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Toward CA 60 East: Riverside
Use the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto CA 60
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42
Toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Mission Boulevard
25
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Van Buren Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn sharp right
171 ft
·
12 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day. Consider departing earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid peak traffic, especially on the freeways. With no planned stops, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $19, and plan to refuel before you leave Chatsworth or upon arrival in Riverside if needed. The longest stretch without a major exit is 18.4 miles on the Foothill Freeway, so ensure you're comfortable with that distance before you begin.
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 41.1 miles from Chatsworth, CA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.4 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 18 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.1 miles or 49m 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 26m
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 Chatsworth, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chatsworth, CA
This is one driving day of about 82.1 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Chatsworth, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Foothill Freeway for about 18.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.1 miles from Chatsworth, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 71.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward CA 118 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward CA 118 East
8
22.8 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward CA 134 East: Glendale, Pasadena
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 144
Toward CA 134 East: Glendale, Pasadena
7
50.2 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Take the exit toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 44A
Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
7
54.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward CA 71: Corona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22C
Toward CA 71: Corona
8
71.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda 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 42
Toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.87 one way
$37.74 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $19.45 | $38.89 |
| premium | $6.18 | $19.97 | $39.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.13 | $36.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.62 | $3.94 |
| Efficient EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.18 | $3.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.49 | $5.25 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Riverside, CA
Morning in Riverside on Sunday
Local time
11:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Pasadena, CA
41 mi in
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
23 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
1h 45m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, characterized by its 79% highway share. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including an 18.4-mile segment on the Foothill Freeway. The personality of the road is predominantly that of a busy freeway, designed for steady progress. While it's not a winding, scenic byway, its consistent nature makes it predictable and easy to navigate. The journey is largely about covering ground efficiently on major arteries connecting Southern California communities.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.4 mi on Foothill Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Foothill Freeway and Pomona Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.1 miles you will encounter 22 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 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 22.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Chatsworth, CA to Riverside, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Pasadena along the way.
Pasadena
22.8 mi in
|
~28m
About the Cities
Starting in Chatsworth, CA
Full guide →Chatsworth is in the San Fernando Valley in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in Southern California.
Arriving in Riverside, CA
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 82.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.4 miles on Foothill Freeway. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 22.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Riverside, CA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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