Origin
Thousand Oaks, CA
Morning in Thousand Oaks on Tuesday
Local time
6:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Thousand Oaks, CA to Riverside, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
92.9 mi
150 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Thousand Oaks, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Riverside, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Thousand Oaks to Riverside is 93 miles and takes about 1 hour 56 minutes via the Ventura Freeway and Foothill Freeway, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive spans California's Pacific Coast region, moving inland from the coast towards the Inland Empire. It's primarily a highway route, making it a straightforward option if you're looking for direct travel between these two Southern California cities. Consider this trip for a quick transit or as part of a larger regional exploration.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.4 miles from Thousand Oaks, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ventura Freeway | 41.9 mi | 48m |
| 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 |
| Hampshire Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 41.9 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thousand Oaks, CA and Riverside, CA.
1
Start on this road
63 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto East Thousand Oaks Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Thousand Oaks Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Hampshire Road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Hampshire Road
4
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward US 101 South, CA 23 South
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 101; CA 23
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 210
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
Foothill Freeway
15
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 44A
Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on CA 57
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 22C
Toward CA 71: Corona
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on CA 71
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Chino Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Toward CA 60 East: Riverside
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto CA 60
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42
Toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Mission Boulevard
23
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Van Buren Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn sharp right
171 ft
·
12 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 2 hours, this is comfortably a same-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave outside of peak morning or afternoon commute hours to minimize traffic delays. The longest stretch without a major exit is 41.9 miles on the Ventura Freeway, so ensure you have ample fuel before starting this segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it's an economical drive, so focus on finding convenient rest stops along the main freeways.
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 46.4 miles from Thousand Oaks, CA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.9 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 20 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.4 miles or 54m 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 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 Thousand Oaks, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Thousand Oaks, CA
This is one driving day of about 92.9 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Thousand Oaks, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ventura Freeway for about 41.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.4 miles from Thousand Oaks, 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 82.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Turn left toward US 101 South, CA 23 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 101 South, CA 23 South
7
28.1 mi into trip
|
~33m 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
61 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m 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
65 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m 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
82.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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
$21.35 one way
$42.70 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $22.00 | $44.01 |
| premium | $6.18 | $22.59 | $45.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.51 | $41.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.9 | 0 | $9.75 | $4.46 |
| Efficient EV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.13 | $3.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.2 | 0 | $13.01 | $5.95 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% 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 Tuesday
Local time
6:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Pasadena, CA
46 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
2 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
1h 56m 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?
This drive is mostly highway, with 85% of the 93 miles on freeways like the Ventura and Foothill. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 41.9 miles on the Ventura Freeway before transitioning. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate the urban and suburban landscapes between Thousand Oaks and Riverside.
85% 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: 41.9 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 0.4 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 92.9 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.1 miles (CA 134 / Ventura Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Thousand Oaks, CA
Full guide →Founded 1964
Thousand Oaks is a city in Ventura County in Southern California. It is the largest city in the Conejo Valley, which it shares with Agoura Hills and Westlake Village, nestled within the Santa Monica Mountains. Newbury Park on the west and Oak Park on the east are districts of Thousand Oaks.
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 1h 56m. Total distance: 92.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.9 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 0.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.1 miles (CA 134 / Ventura Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61 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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