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Trip from Altadena, CA to Bakersfield, CA

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

2h 11m

Distance

112 mi

180 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 3m ★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 31m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 30m
8 PM
2h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Altadena, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Kern County, California, United States

Bakersfield, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 112-mile drive from Altadena, CA, to Bakersfield, CA, is designed for a single day, taking about 2 hours and 11 minutes. Primarily navigating the Golden State Freeway and I-5 Truck, 95% of this route is highway-focused, making it a straightforward journey within the Pacific Coast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $26, this efficient drive is ideal for a quick trip. It's a practical choice if you're looking for a direct connection between these two Southern California locations without the need for an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

56 miles from Altadena, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 112 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 112-mile trip, with 95% of the route utilizing major freeways like the Golden State Freeway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 47.5 miles on the Golden State Freeway, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. This drive offers little in the way of winding roads or significant elevation changes, presenting a fairly direct and efficient path. The character remains largely consistent, emphasizing speed and directness over scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Golden State Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 47.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State 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 25.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 15 significant decision points across 112 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 25.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.6 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
25.4 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
6
26.5 mi into trip | ~34m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
62.6 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | I 5 / Golden State Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
84.9 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | CA 99 / Golden State Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
110.2 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

Take the exit toward California Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 25 Toward California Avenue

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Golden State Freeway 47.5 mi 52m
I 5 Truck 37.1 mi 42m
Foothill Freeway 22.3 mi 25m
East Woodbury Road 1.3 mi 2m
California Avenue 1.2 mi 2m
Marengo Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
East Altadena Drive 0.6 mi 1m
Chester Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Golden State Freeway — 47.5 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Altadena, CA and Bakersfield, CA.

1

Start on North Lake Avenue

154 ft · 5 sec · North Lake Avenue
2

Turn left onto East Altadena Drive

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Altadena Drive
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left onto Marengo Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Marengo Avenue
4

Turn right onto East Woodbury Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Woodbury Road
Use the right lane.
5

Turn left onto Windsor Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Windsor Avenue
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 210 West: San Fernando
7

Merge onto I 210

22 mi · 25 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec
Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 5 Truck

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

25 mi · 27 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Exit 25 Toward California Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn right onto California Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
15

Turn left onto Chester Avenue

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Chester Avenue
16

Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue

19 ft · 0 sec · Truxtun Avenue
17

Arrive at destination

Truxtun Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan to leave Altadena, CA, when you feel most comfortable, as there are no specific recommended stops built into this 112-mile route. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 47.5 miles on the Golden State Freeway, as services can be spaced out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost is $26, so factor that into your budget for this efficient drive to Bakersfield, CA.

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 56 miles from Altadena, CA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.5 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 25 miles or 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 56 miles or 1h 7m 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 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bakersfield, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Altadena, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Altadena, CA

This is one driving day of about 112 miles and 2h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Altadena, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Freeway for about 47.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56 mi from Altadena, CA · 1h 7m into the drive

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Clarita, CA

56 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.

Popular next leg

Santa Clarita, CA to Bakersfield, CA

81.5 mi · 1h 35m

Pacing Suggestions

Santa Clarita, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Castaic, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56 miles from Altadena, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Bakersfield, CA

The final approach into Bakersfield, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Bakersfield, CA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

National Recreation 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...

22 mi from route ~56 min detour Free near mile 27
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free near mile 92.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.74 one way

$51.48 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $26.53 $53.05
premium $6.18 $27.24 $54.47
diesel $5.61 $24.73 $49.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.6 0 $11.76 $5.38
Efficient EV 28 0 $9.80 $4.48
EV Truck/SUV 44.8 0 $15.68 $7.17

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Altadena, CA

Night in Altadena on Thursday

Local time

11:06 PM

PDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bakersfield, CA

Night in Bakersfield on Thursday

Local time

11:06 PM

PDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

4 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

2h 11m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Altadena, CA to Bakersfield, CA covers 112 miles and takes about 2h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Golden State Freeway, I 5 Truck, Foothill Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56 miles from Altadena, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.74 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 112 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 25.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.6 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Altadena, CA to Bakersfield, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument.

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