There are 5 ways to get from Riverside to La Mesa by train (Amtrak), shuttle, bus, car, or bus (Flixbus)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train
best- Take the train from Riverside - Downtown to Santa Anatrain IE-OC Line
- Take the train from Santa Ana to San Diego Old Town Transportation Centertrain Pacific Surfliner
4h 21m$34–86Drive 97.9 mi
cheapest- Drive from Riverside to La Mesacar 97.9 mi
1h 43m$18–26Shuttle, bus
- Take a shuttle bus from Riverside, CA - 3956 University Ave to Escondido, CA - 796 W Valley PKWYLas Vegas
- Take the bus from Escondido Transit Center to Broadway & Park Blbus 235 / ...
4h 50m$26–57Line 1 bus, bus, line 10 bus
- Take the bus from Magnolia + Sunnyside to UCR at Bannockburn Villagebus 1
- Take the bus from Riverside to San Diegobus
- Take the bus from Old Town Transit Center to University Av & College Avbus 10
6h 15m$19–35Train via Oceanside
- Take the train from Riverside - Downtown to Oceansidetrain IE-OC Line
- Take the train from Oceanside to San Diegotrain Pacific Surfliner
6h 29m$24–60
Riverside to La Mesa by train and tram
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Riverside to La Mesa is to drive which costs $17 - $26 and takes 1h 43m.
The fastest way to get from Riverside to La Mesa is to drive which takes 1h 43m and costs $17 - $26.
No, there is no direct bus from Riverside to La Mesa. However, there are services departing from Magnolia + Sunnyside and arriving at University Av & Allison Av via Riverside, Old Town Transit Center and University Av & College Av. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 15m.
No, there is no direct train from Riverside to La Mesa station. However, there are services departing from Riverside - Downtown and arriving at 70th Street Station via Santa Ana and Old Town Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 21m.
The distance between Riverside and La Mesa is 139 miles. The road distance is 98.5 miles.
The best way to get from Riverside to La Mesa without a car is to train which takes 4h 21m and costs $30 - $90.
It takes approximately 4h 21m to get from Riverside to La Mesa, including transfers.
Riverside to La Mesa bus services, operated by Riverside Transit Agency, depart from Magnolia + Sunnyside station.
Riverside to La Mesa train services, operated by Metrolink Trains, depart from Riverside - Downtown station.
The best way to get from Riverside to La Mesa is to train which takes 4h 21m and costs $30 - $90. Alternatively, you can line 1 bus and bus and line 10 bus, which costs $19 - $35 and takes 6h 15m.
What companies run services between Riverside, Riverside County, CA, USA and La Mesa, CA, USA?
You can take a train from Riverside - Downtown to 70th Street Station via Santa Ana, San Diego Old Town Transportation Center, and Old Town Station in around 4h 21m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Magnolia + Sunnyside to University Av & Allison Av via UCR at Bannockburn Village, Riverside, San Diego, Old Town Transit Center, and University Av & College Av in around 6h 15m.
- Phone
- (800) 371-LINK (5465)
- Website
- Metrolink Trains
Train from Riverside - Downtown to Santa Ana
- Ave. Duration
- 59 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $8–12
- Website
- Metrolink Trains
Train from Riverside - Downtown to Oceanside
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 17m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $12–17
- Website
- Metrolink Trains
- [email protected]
- Website
- CBX Cross Border Express
Shuttle from Riverside, CA - 3956 University Ave to Escondido, CA - 796 W Valley PKWY
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $22–35
- Schedules at
- CBX Cross Border Express
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Booking & Getting There
Riverside to La Mesa bus services, operated by Riverside Transit Agency, arrive at UCR at Bannockburn Village station.
Riverside to La Mesa train services, operated by Metrolink Trains, arrive at Santa Ana station.
Yes, the driving distance between Riverside to La Mesa is 98 miles. It takes approximately 1h 43m to drive from Riverside to La Mesa.
There are 2251+ hotels available in La Mesa.


