Origin
Santa Maria, CA
Morning in Santa Maria on Sunday
Local time
8:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Santa Maria, 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 48m
Distance
81.2 mi
131 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 41m
★
6 AM
1h 49m
8 AM
2h 5m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 53m
3 PM
1h 55m
5 PM
2h 4m
8 PM
1h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Santa Maria, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Riverside, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 81.2-mile drive from Santa Maria to Riverside will take you about 1 hour and 48 minutes, making it a perfect single-day trip. You'll primarily be on the Ventura Freeway, Foothill Freeway, and Pomona Freeway, with 78% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $19, which is quite budget-friendly. The drive is focused on efficient travel between these two Southern California locations, offering a straightforward path through the region. It's a practical choice if you're looking to cover ground quickly and efficiently within California.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.6 miles from Santa Maria, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ventura Freeway | 27 mi | 31m |
| Foothill Freeway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Pomona Freeway | 12 mi | 13m |
| Van Buren Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Central Avenue | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Orange Freeway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Chino Valley Freeway | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Canoga Avenue | 1.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 27 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Maria, CA and Riverside, CA.
1
Start on Santa Maria Road
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Santa Maria Road
2
Continue on Mulholland Drive
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Mulholland Drive
3
Turn right onto Alhama Drive
427 ft
·
15 sec
·
Alhama Drive
4
Turn left onto Golondrina Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Golondrina Street
5
Turn right onto Saltillo Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Saltillo Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto Canoga Avenue
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Canoga Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward US 101 South: Ventura Freeway, Los Angeles
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto US 101
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 134
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Toward CA 134 East: Pasadena
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 210
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the slight left 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
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 48-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You could consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the earliest rush hour traffic. With no recommended stops, you have the flexibility to pull over for breaks as needed, perhaps at one of the many services along the freeways. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on the Ventura Freeway is 27 miles. Plan your fuel stops accordingly to ensure a smooth journey to 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 40.6 miles from Santa Maria, CA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.6 miles or 53m 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 30m
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 Santa Maria, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Santa Maria, CA
This is one driving day of about 81.2 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Santa Maria, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ventura Freeway for about 27 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 40.6 miles from Santa Maria, 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 215 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 70.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the ramp toward US 101 South: Ventura Freeway, Los Angeles
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 101 South: Ventura Freeway, Los Angel...
7
16.3 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
CA 134 / Ventura Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 134 / Ventura Freeway toward CA 134 East: Pasadena
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward CA 134 East: Pasadena
7
49.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m 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
53.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m 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
70.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m 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
$18.66 one way
$37.33 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $19.23 | $38.46 |
| premium | $6.18 | $19.75 | $39.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.93 | $35.86 |
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: 28.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.53 | $3.90 |
| Efficient EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.10 | $3.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.37 | $5.20 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% 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
8:50 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
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
1h 48m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 81.2-mile journey. With 78% of the route on main roads like the Ventura Freeway, Foothill Freeway, and Pomona Freeway, it's designed for steady progress. The longest stretch without a break from city traffic is 27 miles on the Ventura Freeway. While largely a freeway experience, the transition between these major arteries will mark the primary change in your driving environment. This route prioritizes covering distance efficiently over winding scenic detours.
78% 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: 27 mi on Ventura Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ventura Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 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 81.2 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 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles (CA 134 / Ventura Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Santa Maria, CA
Full guide →Founded 1874
Santa Maria is a city in Santa Barbara County in 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 48m. Total distance: 81.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m 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 27 miles on Ventura 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 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles (CA 134 / Ventura Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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