This 413.6-mile journey from Union City, CA to Riverside, CA is designed as a single-day adventure, estimated to take around 7 hours and 51 minutes of pure driving time. You'll spend about 95% of your time on major highways, primarily utilizing the Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and Foothill Freeway. The fuel cost is projected to be around $95, and with 2 planned stops, it’s a manageable, highway-focused drive. This route keeps you within the Pacific Coast region throughout its entirety, offering a straightforward, efficient connection between Northern and Southern California.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
206.8 miles from Union City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
58.4 mi
1h 6m
Foothill Freeway
44 mi
50m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
28.2 mi
32m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Pomona Freeway
12 mi
13m
Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi
8m
Central Avenue
3.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 162 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,500 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,272
Quietest
2 AM
~312 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 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 Union City, CA and Riverside, CA.
1
Start on Cambridge Way
193 ft·10 sec·Cambridge Way
2
Turn left onto Union City Boulevard
0.9 mi·1 min·Union City Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on Hesperian Boulevard
2.0 mi·4 min·Hesperian Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward CA 92 East, I 880: HaywardUse the right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 26BToward I 880 North, CA 92 East: Oakland, Downtown Hayward
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward CA 92 East: Downtown HaywardUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto CA 92
0.2 mi·23 sec·Jackson Street
8
Continue on CA 92
1.5 mi·2 min·West Jackson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on Foothill Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Foothill Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto A Street
0.7 mi·1 min·A Street
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on Redwood Road
0.5 mi·59 sec·Redwood Road
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 580 East: StocktonUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 580
10 mi·11 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
17
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·17 sec
Exit 161AToward I 210 East: PasadenaUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 210
24 mi·28 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
19 mi·22 min·Foothill Freeway
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, VenturaUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
0.5 mi·32 sec·Foothill Freeway
24
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 44AToward CA 57 South: Santa AnaUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on CA 57
3.2 mi·3 min·Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 22CToward CA 71: CoronaUse the slight right lane.
27
Continue on CA 71
3.1 mi·3 min·Chino Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Toward CA 60 East: RiversideUse the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto CA 60
12 mi·13 min·Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42Toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
0.2 mi·15 sec·Mission Boulevard
32
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi·8 min·Van Buren Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
33
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi·6 min·Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
34
Turn sharp right
171 ft·12 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour 51-minute estimated duration, starting your drive early in the morning is highly recommended to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach urban areas. With 2 suggested stops, plan to break up the 413.6 miles to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep in mind the estimated fuel cost of $95 for budgeting. A practical tip for this highway-centric route is to monitor your fuel levels closely, as the longest stretch without a break is over 200 miles, and services can sometimes be spaced out on major interstates.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 206.8 miles from Union City, CA, or about 3h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 91 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.8 miles or 3h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 34m
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 Union City, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Union City, CA
This is one driving day of about 413.6 miles and 7h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Union City, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 403.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.4 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 880 North, CA 92 East: Oakland, Downtown Hayward
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 26B
Toward I 880 North, CA 92 East: Oakland, Downto...
8
3.6 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 92 East: Downtown Hayward
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 92 East: Downtown Hayward
7
337.4 mi into trip|~6h 15m 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
362.1 mi into trip|~6h 43m 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,...
8
403.3 mi into trip|~7h 35m 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
$86.53 one way
$173.06 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$89.87
$179.74
premium
$5.67
$92.25
$184.49
diesel
$4.80
$78.10
$156.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$87
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$112–$137
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
124.1
1
$43.43
$19.85
Efficient EV
103.4
1
$36.19
$16.54
EV Truck/SUV
165.4
2
$57.90
$26.47
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
48 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Union City, CA
Morning
in Union City on Monday
Local time
7:01 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
WSW 5 to 12 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Riverside, CA
Morning
in Riverside on Monday
Local time
7:01 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy
W 0 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego 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.
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
12 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
7h 51m 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.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected 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
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 342.3
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 14.3
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 271
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this trip, with 95% of the route consisting of freeway miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, meaning extended periods of consistent cruising. While primarily a highway experience, the transition between these main roads like the Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and Foothill Freeway will mark the progression of your drive. This profile suggests a journey characterized by speed and efficiency rather than winding scenic byways.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.4 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 413.6 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 337.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
3,915 ft11 ft
Total Climb
5,302 ft
Total Descent
4,485 ft
Highest Point
3,915 ft
~295.4 mi in
Elevation Range
3,904 ft
Notable High Points
876 ft at ~29.5 miles+610 ft prominence
3,915 ft at ~295.4 miles+2,854 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 Union City, CA to Riverside, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
Union City is a city of 70,000 people (in 2020) in the southern part of the East Bay portion of the San Francisco Bay Area region of California. It is bordered to the north by the city of Hayward and to the south by the city of Fremont. It is part of the Tri-Cities area, which consists of Union City, Fremont, and Newark.
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 7h 51m. Total distance: 413.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 51m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 337.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 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.
