Spanning 70.2 miles, the journey from Marina del Rey to Riverside is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 1 hour and 31 minutes. Since both locations are situated within the Pacific Coast region, you won't be crossing into drastically different landscapes, but you will move from the coastal atmosphere toward the inland basin. This route works perfectly as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays or complex logistics. Budgeting around $16 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the drive. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, it is a highly efficient trip for those looking to travel between these two points with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.1 miles from Marina del Rey, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Riverside Freeway
34.8 mi
40m
Century Freeway
14.4 mi
16m
Santa Ana Freeway
5.6 mi
6m
Lincoln Boulevard
3.6 mi
4m
Imperial Highway
3.6 mi
6m
South Sepulveda Boulevard
1.4 mi
1m
Admiralty Way
1.2 mi
3m
Magnolia Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Riverside Freeway
— 34.8 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marina del Rey, CA and Riverside, CA.
1
Start on this road
204 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Continue on Panay Way
0.4 mi·1 min·Panay Way
3
Turn right onto Via Marina
0.1 mi·18 sec·Via Marina
4
Turn right onto Admiralty Way
1.2 mi·3 min·Admiralty Way
5
Turn left onto Bali Way
119 ft·3 sec·Bali Way
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto CA 1
3.6 mi·4 min·Lincoln Boulevard
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on CA 1
1.4 mi·1 min·South Sepulveda Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto Imperial Highway
0.3 mi·29 sec·Imperial Highway
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 105 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 105
6.2 mi·7 min·Century Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 105
8.2 mi·9 min·Century Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 16Toward CA 19: Lakewood BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto CA 19
0.3 mi·29 sec·Lakewood Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Imperial Highway
3.3 mi·5 min·Imperial Highway
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right
0.5 mi·55 sec
Toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
16
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·49 sec·this road
Toward I 5 South: Santa AnaUse the left / straight lanes.
17
Merge onto I 5
5.6 mi·6 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 114BToward CA 91 East: RiversideUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto CA 91
8.5 mi·9 min·Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 91
26 mi·30 min·Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 60Toward Madison StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto Madison Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Madison Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Magnolia Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·Magnolia Avenue
24
Turn right
102 ft·8 sec
25
At end of road, turn left
181 ft·13 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 70.2-mile route, it is best to plan your departure during off-peak hours to avoid the inevitable congestion of local surface streets. Since you are not restricted by highway speed limits or long, isolated stretches, take advantage of the flexibility to pull over whenever you need a break. Keep your GPS active at all times, as the reliance on local roads like Panay Way and Admiralty Way makes navigation more complex than simply following a major interstate. Ensure your fuel tank is ready for the $16 estimated cost before you head out, as finding quick refueling spots in dense local traffic can be more time-consuming than on an open highway. This drive is all about managing local navigation, so stay alert and patient as you transition from the coast toward Riverside.
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 35.1 miles from Marina del Rey, CA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.8 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 15 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.1 miles or 48m 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 16m
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 Marina del Rey, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Marina del Rey, CA
This is one driving day of about 70.2 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Marina del Rey, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Riverside Freeway for about 34.8 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 68.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.8 mi into trip|~5m in|Bali Way
Turn left onto Bali Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
7.2 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 105 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 105 East
7
21.8 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward CA 19: Lakewood Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16
Toward CA 19: Lakewood Boulevard
7
32.3 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward CA 91 East: Riverside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 114B
Toward CA 91 East: Riverside
7
68.3 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward Madison Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 60
Toward Madison Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.13 one way
$32.27 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$16.63
$33.25
premium
$6.18
$17.07
$34.14
diesel
$5.61
$15.50
$31.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.1
0
$7.37
$3.37
Efficient EV
17.6
0
$6.14
$2.81
EV Truck/SUV
28.1
0
$9.83
$4.49
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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 Jun 2, 2022
Origin
Marina del Rey, CA
Late night
in Marina del Rey on Tuesday
Local time
5:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Riverside, CA
Late night
in Riverside on Tuesday
Local time
5:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°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
1 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 31m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate through local roads like Panay Way, Via Marina, and Admiralty Way, which requires your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous highway stretch, this path demands constant engagement with local traffic patterns and intersections. Because the entire 70.2 miles consist of local streets, there is no single long, uninterrupted stretch to settle into. You should prepare for a driving experience defined by frequent turns and urban navigation throughout the entire 1 hour and 31 minute trip.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.8 mi on Riverside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Riverside Freeway and Century 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 near Bali Way.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.2 miles you will encounter 21 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 (Bali Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 70.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.8 miles on Riverside 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 (Bali Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.8 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.
