Trip from Gilroy, CA to Riverside, CA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 52m

Distance

359.8 mi

579 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$75

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 41m ★

6 AM

6h 53m

8 AM

7h 16m

10 AM

7h 1m

12 PM

6h 58m

3 PM

7h 2m

5 PM

7h 15m

8 PM

6h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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city in Santa Clara County, California, United States

Gilroy, CA

Wikimedia Commons

county seat of Riverside County, California, United States

Riverside, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 359.8-mile drive from Gilroy, California, to Riverside, California, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 52 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 84% of the journey on major freeways, including the Westside Freeway and I-5 Truck. With an estimated fuel cost of $83, this trip offers a straightforward drive across the Pacific Coast region. You'll experience a consistent driving feel for most of the journey, making it a manageable day trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

179.9 miles from Gilroy, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Westside Freeway	181.1 mi	3h 14m
I 5 Truck	58.4 mi	1h 6m
Foothill Freeway	44 mi	50m
Pacheco Pass Highway	40.6 mi	50m
Pomona Freeway	12 mi	13m
Van Buren Boulevard	6.1 mi	8m
Central Avenue	3.6 mi	6m
Orange Freeway	3.2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m

Traffic on I-5

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 138 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~1,524 veh/hr typical · worst 2,324

Quietest

2 AM

~316 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

4.8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 44 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gilroy, CA and Riverside, CA.

Start on Monterey Street

0.4 mi · 53 sec · Monterey Street

Turn left onto East 10th Street

0.3 mi · 28 sec · East 10th Street

Continue on East 10th Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · East 10th Street

Continue on CA 152

41 mi · 50 min · Pacheco Pass Highway

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 5: Los Angeles

Merge onto I 5

181 mi · 3 hr 14 min · Westside Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.0 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 17 sec

Exit 161A Toward I 210 East: Pasadena Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 210

24 mi · 28 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210

19 mi · 22 min · Foothill Freeway

Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210

0.5 mi · 32 sec · Foothill Freeway

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 44A Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana Use the slight right lane.

Continue on CA 57

3.2 mi · 3 min · Orange Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 2 min

Exit 22C Toward CA 71: Corona Use the slight right lane.

Continue on CA 71

3.1 mi · 3 min · Chino Valley Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.4 mi · 2 min

Toward CA 60 East: Riverside Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto CA 60

12 mi · 13 min · Pomona Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 42 Toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Mission Boulevard

Continue on Van Buren Boulevard

6.1 mi · 8 min · Van Buren Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Central Avenue

3.6 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn sharp right

171 ft · 12 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour 52-minute duration, you can comfortably complete this 359.8-mile drive in one day. Departing early in the morning will help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Plan for one main stop to refuel and stretch your legs, as the longest stretch without a major road change is over 180 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $83, and ensure you're aware of the freeway transitions, particularly onto the I-5 Truck and Foothill Freeway.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 179.9 miles from Gilroy, CA, or about 3h 20m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 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 79 miles or 1h 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 179.9 miles or 3h 20m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 35m

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 Gilroy, 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 Gilroy, CA

This is one driving day of about 359.8 miles and 6h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Gilroy, CA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 181.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Los Angeles, CA

180 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

Mendota, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Reedley, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 179.9 miles from Gilroy, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.8 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 283.6 and 349.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

283.6 mi into trip | ~5h 16m in

Take the exit toward I 210 East: Pasadena

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 161A Toward I 210 East: Pasadena

308.3 mi into trip | ~5h 45m in | I 210 / Foothill Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino,...

327.8 mi into trip | ~6h 7m 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

331.9 mi into trip | ~6h 13m 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

349.5 mi into trip | ~6h 36m 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

$75.27 one way

$150.55 round trip

$5.31/gal 25.4 MPG avg 126 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.52	$78.18	$156.36
premium	$5.67	$80.25	$160.49
diesel	$4.80	$67.94	$135.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$75

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$100–$125

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 125.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	107.9	1	$37.78	$17.27
Efficient EV	90	1	$31.48	$14.39
EV Truck/SUV	143.9	1	$50.37	$23.03

Gas CO2

126 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 Jul 19, 2026

Origin

Gilroy, CA

Evening in Gilroy on Monday

Local time

5:57 PM

PDT

Current temp

84°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 3 to 7 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued July 19 at 11:41AM PDT until July 20 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 19 at 11:24AM PDT until July 21 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Destination

Riverside, CA

Evening in Riverside on Monday

Local time

5:57 PM

PDT

Current temp

94°F

Sunny

W 0 to 15 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued July 19 at 11:41AM PDT until July 20 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 19 at 11:24AM PDT until July 21 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

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

10 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 52m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour Free near mile 285.3

View on nps.gov

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour Free near mile 223.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 359.8-mile trip, with 84% of the route utilizing major freeways like the Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 181.1 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While largely a freeway experience, this route is designed for covering distance, offering a practical approach to traveling between these two California locations.

84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 181.1 mi on Westside Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 283.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 359.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 283.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 308.3 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 327.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

2,818 ft 199 ft

Total Climb

4,040 ft

Total Descent

3,410 ft

Highest Point

2,818 ft

~257 mi in

Elevation Range

2,619 ft

Notable High Points

1,357 ft at ~25.7 miles +1,042 ft prominence

2,818 ft at ~257 miles +573 ft prominence

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 Gilroy, CA to Riverside, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.

Ventura

308.3 mi in | ~5h 45m | via I 210

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

O.D.'s Kitchen

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Gilroy, CA

Hours: Mo 08:00-16:00; Tu 07:00-16:00; We-Fr 07...

Visit website

5th Street Coffee & Roasting Co.

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Park

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Milias Group Picnic Area

Picnic_site

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Hungry Valley SVRA

Park

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Gorman, CA

Lakeside Picnic Area

Picnic_site

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Jones Park

Park

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Red Point

Viewpoint

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Willey Cultural Center

Icon

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

William S. Hart Museum

Museum

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bunkhouse

Museum

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Fritz' Grave

Monument

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

William S. Hart Ranch House

Museum

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Spring Pole Oil Well

Oil well

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Ramada Limited Gilroy

Hotel

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Hungry Valley SVRA

Camp_site

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Gorman, CA

Group Campground 6

Camp_site

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Group Campground 5

Camp_site

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Group Campground 4

Camp_site

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Group Campground 3

Camp_site

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in Gilroy, CA

Full guide →

“Garlic Capital of the World” · Founded 1870

Gilroy is in the southern part of Santa Clara County south of San Jose in California. It is in the South Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Almost halfway between San Jose and Monterey, Gilroy can make a less-expensive central home base for travelers who need to go up to Silicon Valley and also want to explore the Pacific Ocean or visit Pinnacles National Park.

Top landmarks

• Gilroy Free Library — library
• Gilroy station — railway station in Gilroy, California, USA
• Edgar Holloway House — historic house in California, United States

Arriving in Riverside, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1870

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.

Top landmarks

• Mission Inn — hotel in Riverside, California
• Universalist Unitarian Church of Riverside — church building in Riverside, California, USA
• First Congregational Church of Riverside — church building in Riverside, California, United States of America

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 6h 52m. Total distance: 359.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 181.1 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 26 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Riverside, CA before the return drive.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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