Water
0 mi from route
Trip from Keyes, CA to Riverside, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 49m
Distance
355.6 mi
572 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$74
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 38m
★
6 AM
6h 49m
8 AM
7h 13m
10 AM
6h 58m
12 PM
6h 55m
3 PM
6h 59m
5 PM
7h 12m
8 PM
6h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Keyes, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Riverside, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Keyes to Riverside is 355.6 miles and takes about 6h 49m via CA 99 and Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $83 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route travels entirely within California, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards the southern part of the state. Given the relatively short duration, it's a manageable one-day trip for most drivers. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward drive.
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
177.8 miles from Keyes, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 126.5 mi | 2h 21m |
| Golden State Freeway | 92.8 mi | 1h 44m |
| Golden State Highway | 58.6 mi | 1h 2m |
| Foothill Freeway | 44 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:
CA 99
— 126.5 mi, about 2h 21m
Traffic on I-210
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,109 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~519 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 50 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 Keyes, CA and Riverside, CA.
1
Start on Rohde Road
65 ft
·
3 sec
·
Rohde Road
2
Continue on 7th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Street
3
Turn left onto Nunes Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Nunes Road
4
Turn right onto North Golden State Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
North Golden State Boulevard
5
Turn right onto J16
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Keyes Road
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
7
Merge onto CA 99
86 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi
·
44 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 161A
Toward I 210 East: Pasadena
Use the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 210
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
Foothill Freeway
18
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 44A
Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on CA 57
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 22C
Toward CA 71: Corona
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on CA 71
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Chino Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Toward CA 60 East: Riverside
Use the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto CA 60
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42
Toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Mission Boulevard
26
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Van Buren Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Turn sharp right
171 ft
·
12 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 49m drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the Los Angeles metropolitan area. With a single recommended stop and a fuel cost around $83, you can plan your refueling and rest breaks strategically. The 126.5-mile stretch on CA 99 is the longest continuous segment, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration before departing. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed.
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 177.8 miles from Keyes, CA, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.5 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 78 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.8 miles or 3h 19m 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 32m
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 Keyes, 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 Keyes, CA
This is one driving day of about 355.6 miles and 6h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Keyes, 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 CA 99 for about 126.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
178 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 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 177.8 miles from Keyes, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Bear Mountain Truck Stop
0 mi from route
Highway Patrol Weigh Station
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Castaic Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
C. H. Warlow Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Enoch Christoffersen Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Enoch Christoffersen Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
United Park
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Valley Fuel Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Tejon Pass Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Tejon Pass Rest Area - Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Ahmed's Exxon
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
1.4 mi from route
Rest Area
1.6 mi from route
Rest Area
1.8 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 191.8 and 345.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
191.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
|
CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
7
279.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 13m 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
8
304.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 41m 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,...
7
323.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 4m 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
8
345.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 33m 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
$74.40 one way
$148.79 round trip
$5.31/gal
25.4 MPG avg
124 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.52 | $77.27 | $154.53 |
| premium | $5.67 | $79.31 | $158.62 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $67.14 | $134.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 106.7 | 1 | $37.34 | $17.07 |
| Efficient EV | 88.9 | 1 | $31.12 | $14.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.2 | 1 | $49.78 | $22.76 |
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Keyes, CA
Late night in Keyes on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Clear
NNW 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Riverside, CA
Late night in Riverside on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
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
11 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 49m 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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 282
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 208.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 79% of the 355.6 miles spent on freeways like CA 99 and the Golden State Freeway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 126.5 miles on CA 99 before transitioning to other roads. Expect a steady cruising experience on these main arteries, with a consistent pace until you approach your destination in Riverside.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 126.5 mi on CA 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 191.8 miles in near CA 99 / Golden State Freeway.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 355.6 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 191.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 279.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 304.1 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,720 ft
93 ft
Total Climb
2,823 ft
Total Descent
2,087 ft
Highest Point
2,720 ft
~254 mi in
Elevation Range
2,627 ft
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 Keyes, CA to Riverside, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
Ventura
304.1 mi in
|
~5h 41m
|
via I 210
About the Cities
Starting in Keyes, CA
Full guide →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 49m. Total distance: 355.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 126.5 miles on CA 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 191.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 279.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 304.1 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 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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