Riverside to San Diego: Road Trip Guide & Distance

86.6 miles 139.3 km · straight line
97.7 miles actual route 157.3 km · driving distance
1h 56min estimated drive time
$9 - $12 estimated fuel cost
~40min flight time · usually no direct flights
171° S bearing direction

How far is Riverside from San Diego?

The distance from Riverside to San Diego is 86.6 miles (139.3 km) as the crow flies. San Diego is located S of Riverside. By car, the driving distance is approximately 97.7 miles, taking about 1h 56min. A direct flight would take roughly 40min. Both are located in United States.

This is a quick and easy drive, perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. You can easily make the round trip in a single day. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Riverside and San Diego. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Riverside to San Diego

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 1h 56min $9 - $12 Flexible stops
Bus ~2h 19min $8–$15* Budget
Train ~1h 50min $12–$34* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Riverside & San Diego

Quick Facts

Riverside
33.95°N, 117.40°W
America/Los_Angeles
256m elevation
San Diego
32.72°N, 117.16°W
America/Los_Angeles
20m elevation
Explore more routes from San Diego

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 29 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 7 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 287.7 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM