Origin
Bakersfield, CA
Late night in Bakersfield on Wednesday
Local time
3:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bakersfield, CA to California City, CA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
68.7 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 28m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bakersfield, CA
Wikimedia Commons
California City, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Bakersfield, CA to California City, CA covers 68.7 miles and takes about 1h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway, California City Boulevard, Barstow–Bakersfield Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 53.5 miles on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.79 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
34.4 miles from Bakersfield, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 23m drive with frequent turns across 68.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 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 53.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Union Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 68.7 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 1.2 miles (CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Union Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (CA 58 / Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Union Avenue
Turn right onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Union Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
CA 58 / Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
Merge onto CA 58 / Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
58.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
6
60.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Take the exit toward California City Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward California City Boulevard
6
60.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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 Bakersfield, CA to California City, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Mojave along the way.
Mojave
58.2 mi in
|
~1h 8m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway | 53.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| California City Boulevard | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| Barstow–Bakersfield Highway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Aerospace Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Union Avenue | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| California Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| L Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Truxtun Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
— 53.5 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield, CA and California City, CA.
1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Truxtun Avenue
2
Turn right onto L Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
L Street
3
Turn left onto California Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
California Avenue
4
Turn right onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Union Avenue
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward CA 58 East: Mojave
6
Merge onto CA 58
53 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on CA 58
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward CA 14: Bishop, Mojave
9
Merge onto CA 14; US 6 Hist
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Aerospace Highway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward California City Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft
·
5 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto California City Boulevard
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
California City Boulevard
13
Arrive at destination
California City Boulevard
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 34.4 miles from Bakersfield, CA, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.5 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 68.7 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.4 miles or 41m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near California City, 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 68.7 miles and 1h 23m.
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 Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway for about 53.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.4 mi from Bakersfield, CA · 41m 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 68.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.4 miles from Bakersfield, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in California City, CA
The final approach into California City, 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 California City, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.79 one way
$31.58 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $16.27 | $32.54 |
| premium | $6.18 | $16.71 | $33.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.17 | $30.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24 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 | 20.6 | 0 | $7.21 | $3.30 |
| Efficient EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.01 | $2.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.62 | $4.40 |
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
California City, CA
Late night in California City on Wednesday
Local time
3:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°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
8 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 23m 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 California City, CA covers 68.7 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway, California City Boulevard, Barstow–Bakersfield Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.4 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 $15.79 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 8 significant decision points across 68.7 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 1.2 miles (CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Union Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (CA 58 / Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Bakersfield, CA to California City, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Mojave along the way.
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Return Trip
California City, CA to Bakersfield, CAPlan the drive back the other way.
68.4 mi
1h 23m
Continue From California City, CA
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