Origin
Arvin, CA
Afternoon in Arvin on Thursday
Local time
1:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arvin, CA to Ricardo, CA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
68.4 mi
110 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 38m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arvin, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Ricardo, CA
Efrem Efre
Trip Overview
This 68.4-mile drive from Arvin, CA, to Ricardo, CA, is easily managed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via the Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway, Aerospace Highway, and Bear Mountain Boulevard. With a projected fuel cost of around $16 and no designated stops, this route offers a straightforward journey within the Pacific Coast region. The overall experience is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting a need for attention as you navigate the various road segments.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 24m. Total distance: 68.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with no highway driving contributing to the 68.4 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.3 miles on the Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway, offering a sustained period on a single road. As you progress, the route's character will likely shift through its named segments, implying a need for awareness of changing road conditions and turns. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; rather, it's a more engaged drive through local thoroughfares.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 32.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 11.2 miles in near CA 58 / Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Arvin, CA to Ricardo, CA is easy. At 1h 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.2 miles (CA 58 / Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles (CA 14; US 6 Hist / Aerospace Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
4 of 4 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
11.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
CA 58 / Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
Turn right onto CA 58 / Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
45.7 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the exit toward CA 14: Bishop, Mojave
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CA 14: Bishop, Mojave
5
46.2 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
CA 14; US 6 Hist / Aerospace Highway
Merge onto CA 14; US 6 Hist / Aerospace Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
67.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
Abbott Drive
Turn left onto Abbott Drive
Navigation decision point
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 Arvin, CA to Ricardo, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Mojave along the way.
Mojave
45.7 mi in
|
~55m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway | 32.3 mi | 37m |
| Aerospace Highway | 17.1 mi | 19m |
| Bear Mountain Boulevard | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| Midland Trail | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Barstow–Bakersfield Highway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Abbott Drive | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
— 32.3 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arvin, CA and Ricardo, CA.
1
Start on CA 223
91 ft
·
10 sec
·
Bear Mountain Boulevard
2
Continue on CA 223
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Bear Mountain Boulevard
3
Turn right onto CA 58
32 mi
·
37 min
·
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on CA 58
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward CA 14: Bishop, Mojave
6
Merge onto CA 14; US 6 Hist
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Midland Trail
8
Turn left onto Abbott Drive
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Abbott Drive
9
Arrive at destination
Abbott Drive
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.2 mi from Arvin, CA · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.2 miles from Arvin, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ricardo, CA
The final approach into Ricardo, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.72 one way
$31.44 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $16.20 | $32.40 |
| premium | $6.18 | $16.63 | $33.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.10 | $30.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$16
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.18 | $3.28 |
| Efficient EV | 17.1 | 0 | $5.99 | $2.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.58 | $4.38 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Ricardo, CA
Afternoon in Ricardo on Thursday
Local time
1:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Sunny
WSW 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 2:09PM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 2:09PM PDT until April 16 at 7:00AM PDT by NWS Reno NV
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
3 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 24m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arvin, CA to Ricardo, CA covers 68.4 miles and takes about 1h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway, Aerospace Highway, Bear Mountain Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.2 miles from Arvin, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.72 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.
The drive from Arvin, CA to Ricardo, CA is easy. At 1h 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.2 miles (CA 58 / Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles (CA 14; US 6 Hist / Aerospace Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Arvin, CA to Ricardo, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Mojave along the way.
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