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Trip from Bakersfield, CA to Altadena, CA

Drive Time

2h 13m

Distance

112.7 mi

181 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

15 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 4m ★
6 AM
2h 13m
8 AM
2h 32m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 31m
8 PM
2h 8m

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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Downtown Bakersfield, CA, CA

Bakersfield, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Downtown Altadena, CA, CA

Altadena, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

The drive from Bakersfield, CA to Altadena, CA covers 112.7 miles and takes about 2h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Golden State Freeway, Foothill Freeway, California Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84.9 miles on Golden State Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.10 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

56.3 miles from Bakersfield, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 2h 13m highway drive covering 112.7 miles, with most of the trip on Golden State Freeway and Foothill Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 84.9 miles on Golden State Freeway.

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 84.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.8 miles in near CA 99 / Golden State Freeway.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 112.7 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 26.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

6
26.8 mi into trip | ~31m 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.
6
85 mi into trip | ~1h 37m 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.
7
87 mi into trip | ~1h 40m 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
109.6 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in

Take the exit toward Arroyo Boulevard, Windsor 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 22B Toward Arroyo Boulevard, Windsor Avenue
6
110 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in | West Woodbury Road

Turn right onto West Woodbury Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Golden State Freeway 84.9 mi 1h 36m
Foothill Freeway 22.3 mi 25m
California Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
West Woodbury Road 1.3 mi 2m
North Marengo Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
East Altadena Drive 0.6 mi 1m
L Street 0.3 mi <1m
Truxtun Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Golden State Freeway — 84.9 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Truxtun Avenue

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Truxtun Avenue
2

Turn right onto L Street

0.3 mi · 51 sec · L Street
3

Turn right onto California Avenue

1.5 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward CA 99 South Use the right lane.
5

Merge onto CA 99

25 mi · 27 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.0 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 17 sec
Exit 161A Toward I 210 East: Pasadena Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on I 210

22 mi · 25 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 22B Toward Arroyo Boulevard, Windsor Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn left onto Arroyo Boulevard

426 ft · 17 sec · Arroyo Boulevard
12

Continue on Windsor Avenue

522 ft · 14 sec · Windsor Avenue
13

Turn right onto West Woodbury Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Woodbury Road
Use the right lane.
14

Turn left onto North Marengo Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Marengo Avenue
Use the left lane.
15

Turn right onto East Altadena Drive

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Altadena Drive
16

Turn right onto North Lake Avenue

154 ft · 3 sec · North Lake Avenue
17

Arrive at destination

North Lake Avenue

Trip Plan

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 56.3 miles from Bakersfield, CA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.9 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 56.3 miles or 1h 4m 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 46m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bakersfield, 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 Bakersfield, CA

This is one driving day of about 112.7 miles and 2h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bakersfield, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Freeway for about 84.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56.3 mi from Bakersfield, CA · 1h 4m into the drive

Downtown Santa Clarita, CA, CA

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Santa Clarita, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Santa Clarita, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.3 miles from Bakersfield, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Golden State Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.9 miles.

Arriving in Altadena, CA

The final approach into Altadena, 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 Altadena, 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 ~55 min detour Free near mile 85.5
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 19.4
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.10 one way

$52.20 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.07 $26.91 $53.83
premium $6.24 $27.70 $55.40
diesel $5.64 $25.04 $50.08

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: 39.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

15 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

DoubleTree by Hilton Bakersfield - Tesla Supercharger

Bakersfield, CA

Tesla

20 DCFC

Olive Drive Towne Centre - Tesla Supercharger

Bakersfield, CA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Crossroads Shopping Center - SW Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA

eVgo Network

12 DCFC

Bakersfield Marriott

Bakersfield, CA

EVGATEWAY

8 DCFC

TownePlace Suites By Marriott Bakersfield West

Bakersfield, CA

EVCS

8 DCFC

Target T2715 (Bakersfield, CA)

Bakersfield, CA

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Bakersfield Plaza (Bakersfield, CA)

Bakersfield, CA

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Motor City Lexus

Bakersfield, CA

NOODOE

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 5 Electrify America: 2 Tesla: 2 NOODOE: 2 EVGATEWAY: 1 EVCS: 1 eVgo Network: 1 Non-Networked: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.8 0 $11.83 $5.41
Efficient EV 28.2 0 $9.86 $4.51
EV Truck/SUV 45.1 0 $15.78 $7.21

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Bakersfield, CA

Late night in Bakersfield on Monday

Local time

3:10 AM

PDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Altadena, CA

Late night in Altadena on Monday

Local time

3:10 AM

PDT

Current temp

54°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

1 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 13m 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 Bakersfield, CA to Altadena, CA covers 112.7 miles and takes about 2h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Golden State Freeway, Foothill Freeway, California Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.3 miles from Bakersfield, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.10 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 13 significant decision points across 112.7 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 26.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Bakersfield, CA to Altadena, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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