Riverside, CA to Gridley, CA is 491.1 miles and takes about 9h 17m via CA 99, with a fuel budget near $108 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within California, traversing the Pacific Coast region for both its origin and destination. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of the drive. With a recommended two days for travel, you'll have ample opportunity to break up the nearly 500 miles. Consider this a straightforward, efficient way to get from Southern California to the northern part of the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
245.6 miles from Riverside, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
304.9 mi
5h 29m
Foothill Freeway
43.9 mi
50m
CA 99
37.9 mi
49m
I 5 Truck
37.1 mi
42m
Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi
25m
Pomona Freeway
12.1 mi
13m
Golden State Highway
7.5 mi
8m
Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 304.9 mi, about 5h 29m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 412 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,504 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,921
Quietest
2 AM
~513 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 89 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 Riverside, CA and Gridley, CA.
1
Start on this road
181 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn right
94 ft·7 sec
3
Turn right onto Magnolia Avenue
228 ft·14 sec·Magnolia Avenue
4
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.5 mi·6 min·Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi·8 min·Van Buren Boulevard
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on Mission Boulevard
0.3 mi·24 sec·Mission Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward CA 60 West
8
Merge onto CA 60
12 mi·13 min·Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 29BToward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, PomonaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 71 North: PomonaUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto CA 71
3.5 mi·4 min·Chino Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward CA 57 North
14
Continue on CA 57
3.4 mi·3 min·CA 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 25CToward I 210 West: Pasadena
16
Merge onto I 210
18 mi·21 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
26 mi·29 min·Foothill Freeway
Exit 26AToward I 210 West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 5 Truck
1.0 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
26 mi·27 min·Westside Freeway
24
Keep left at fork onto I 5
54 mi·59 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99
7.5 mi·8 min·Golden State Highway
Toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, MarysvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on CA 99
5.0 mi·5 min·Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
27
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
3.2 mi·3 min·CA 99
28
Continue on CA 99
35 mi·45 min·CA 99
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn left onto Sycamore Street
0.3 mi·37 sec·Sycamore Street
30
Turn left
159 ft·11 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 17m duration, it's best to split this drive over two days to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight hours. With two recommended stops, plan to cover roughly half the distance each day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 304.9 miles on the Westside Freeway, as services can be spaced out. Breaking the trip into two segments will allow for more relaxed driving and opportunities to rest.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 245.6 miles from Riverside, CA, or about 4h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 304.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 108 miles or 2h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 245.6 miles or 4h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 245.6 miles or 4h 41m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gridley, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Riverside, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Riverside, CA
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Gridley, CA
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Riverside, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 304.9 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.4 and 440.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
22.4 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
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 29B
Toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
7
22.6 mi into trip|~30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 71 North: Pomona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 71 North: Pomona
8
50.4 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward I 210 West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26A
Toward I 210 West: Sacramento
7
135.5 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
8
440.4 mi into trip|~8h 12m in|CA 99 / Golden State Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Highway toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, Marysville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, Marysvill...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$118.81 one way
$237.62 round trip
$6.15/gal25.4 MPG avg172 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.34
$122.56
$245.12
premium
$6.50
$125.60
$251.20
diesel
$6.18
$119.47
$238.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$119
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$249–$359
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 171.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
147.3
1
$51.57
$23.57
Efficient EV
122.8
1
$42.97
$19.64
EV Truck/SUV
196.4
2
$68.75
$31.43
Gas CO2
172 kg
EV CO2
57 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 Oct 20, 2026
Origin
Riverside, CA
Evening
in Riverside on Tuesday
Local time
8:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
SE 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 20 at 1:59AM PDT until October 20 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 12:31PM PDT until October 23 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Gridley, CA
Evening
in Gridley on Tuesday
Local time
8:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 20 at 1:59AM PDT until October 20 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 12:31PM PDT until October 23 at 3:00AM 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
16 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
9h 17m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 84.7
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 135.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 95% highway, meaning you'll be on freeways for the vast majority of the 491.1 miles. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 304.9 miles on the Westside Freeway. You'll encounter a dense network of exits and interchanges typical of long-distance freeway travel. Surface roads are minimal, appearing only in the final stretches.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 304.9 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 25 significant decision points across 491.1 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 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.4 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,801 ft18 ft
Total Climb
2,650 ft
Total Descent
3,385 ft
Highest Point
2,801 ft
~105.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,783 ft
Notable High Points
2,801 ft at ~105.2 miles+1,599 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 Riverside, CA to Gridley, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Marysville along the way.
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
•Riverside Fox Theater — theater and movie theater in Riverside, California, United States
The longest stretch is about 304.9 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 246 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 39 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 Gridley, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 39 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.4 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 9.3 hours each way, a round trip means 18.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gridley, CA before the return drive.
