Origin
Bakersfield, CA
Night in Bakersfield on Friday
Local time
10:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bakersfield, CA to Cedar Ridge, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 51m
Distance
235.1 mi
378 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 38m
★
6 AM
4h 52m
8 AM
5h 19m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 59m
3 PM
5h 3m
5 PM
5h 18m
8 PM
4h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bakersfield, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Cedar Ridge, CA
Moussa Idrissi
Trip Overview
This 235.1-mile journey from Bakersfield, CA to Cedar Ridge, CA will take approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. Consider this a feasible day trip, as it's recommended for a single day of travel. You'll navigate primarily on the Golden State Highway and La Grange Road, with a 29% share of highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $54. This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience across the Pacific Coast region of California. It's a straightforward drive that won't require extensive planning for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
117.5 miles from Bakersfield, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
About the Cities
Starting in Bakersfield, CA
Full guide →Bakersfield is a city in Kern County in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Bakersfield is famous for being the home of country music singers Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, and has the nickname "the country music capital of the West Coast."
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 235.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a route with a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter frequent changes in direction rather than long, straight stretches. While 29% of the drive is on highways, much of it will be on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 111.4 miles on the Golden State Highway. As you progress, the character of the drive shifts from more open highway to increasingly local roads, requiring your attention to navigation and speed adjustments.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Golden State Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 111.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 24 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near Golden State Road.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 235.1 miles you will encounter 24 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (Golden State Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.4 miles (CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Golden State Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Golden State Road
Enter roundabout onto Golden State Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Golden State Avenue
Merge onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Golden State Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
3.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Merge onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
119.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward Avenue 7
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 144
Toward Avenue 7
8
163.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
|
CA 59; CA 140
Take the exit onto CA 59; CA 140 toward CA 140 West, CA 59 North
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 188
Toward CA 140 West, CA 59 North
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 Cedar Ridge, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Avenue 7 along the way.
Avenue 7
119.9 mi in
|
~2h 11m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Highway | 111.4 mi | 2h |
| La Grange Road | 26.2 mi | 38m |
| Northbound California State Route 99 | 22 mi | 25m |
| CA 99 | 21.4 mi | 24m |
| Snelling Highway | 17.7 mi | 26m |
| CA 49 | 11.9 mi | 17m |
| CA 108 | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| Golden State Freeway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Golden State Highway
— 111.4 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield, CA and Cedar Ridge, CA.
1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Truxtun Avenue
2
Continue on Truxtun Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Truxtun Avenue
3
Turn right onto Chester Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Chester Avenue
4
Enter roundabout onto Golden State Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Golden State Road
5
Continue on Golden State Road
427 ft
·
8 sec
·
Golden State Road
6
Take the ramp
395 ft
·
10 sec
7
Merge onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto CA 99
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on CA 99
111 mi
·
2 hr
·
Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 144
Toward Avenue 7
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto CA 99
21 mi
·
24 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Northbound California State Route 99
Toward CA 99
13
Take the exit onto CA 59; CA 140
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 59; CA 140
Exit 188
Toward CA 140 West, CA 59 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto CA 59
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
V Street
15
Turn left onto CA 59
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
West 16th Street
16
Turn right onto CA 59
18 mi
·
26 min
·
Snelling Highway
17
Continue on CA 59; J16
387 ft
·
6 sec
·
La Grange Road
18
Continue on CA 59; J16
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Merced Falls Road
19
Turn left onto J59
26 mi
·
38 min
·
La Grange Road
20
At end of road, turn right onto CA 108; CA 120
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
CA 108; CA 120
21
Enter roundabout onto CA 49; CA 108
116 ft
·
2 sec
·
CA 49; CA 108
22
Continue on CA 49; CA 108
12 mi
·
17 min
·
CA 49; CA 108
23
Turn left onto Soulsbyville Road
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Soulsbyville Road
24
Turn right onto Longeway Road
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Longeway Road
25
At end of road, turn left onto Longeway Road
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Longeway Road
26
Turn right onto Big Hill Road
347 ft
·
9 sec
·
Big Hill Road
27
Turn right onto Kewin Mill Road
2.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Kewin Mill Road
28
At end of road, turn right onto Kewin Mill Road
157 ft
·
9 sec
·
Kewin Mill Road
29
Turn left onto Estralita Drive
443 ft
·
19 sec
·
Estralita Drive
30
Arrive at destination
Estralita Drive
Trip Plan
With a duration of under 5 hours, this drive from Bakersfield to Cedar Ridge is best tackled in one day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed. You'll encounter one recommended stop along the way, so plan to take advantage of that for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 111.4-mile stretch on the Golden State Highway, as services might be less frequent. Given the 'turn-heavy' nature, be prepared for more frequent steering inputs than you might expect on a pure interstate trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 117.5 miles from Bakersfield, CA, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.4 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 52 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.5 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Ridge, 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 235.1 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Bakersfield, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Highway for about 111.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.5 mi from Bakersfield, CA · 2h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 117.5 miles from Bakersfield, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Golden State Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.4 miles.
Arriving in Cedar Ridge, CA
The final approach into Cedar Ridge, 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 Cedar Ridge, CA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.04 one way
$108.07 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $55.68 | $111.37 |
| premium | $6.18 | $57.17 | $114.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.91 | $103.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.69 | $11.28 |
| Efficient EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.57 | $9.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94 | 1 | $32.91 | $15.05 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Cedar Ridge, CA
Night in Cedar Ridge on Friday
Local time
10:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
62°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
15 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
4h 51m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Cedar Ridge, CA covers 235.1 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Golden State Highway, La Grange Road, Northbound California State Route 99. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.5 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 $54.04 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 235.1 miles you will encounter 24 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (Golden State Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.4 miles (CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Golden State Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Bakersfield, CA to Cedar Ridge, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Avenue 7 along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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