Origin
Bakersfield, CA
Afternoon in Bakersfield on Sunday
Local time
12:22 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bakersfield, CA to Long Beach, CA
Drive Time
2h 39m
Distance
136 mi
219 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
Bakersfield, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Long Beach, CA
Saidamir Mukhitdinov
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Bakersfield to Long Beach, expect a straightforward 136-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 39 minutes. Since this is an efficient, highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a one-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You will spend roughly $31 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick coastal transition. The route keeps you within the Pacific Coast region, moving from the inland valley area toward the southern coastline. Because the drive is relatively short and direct, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your day around your arrival in Long Beach. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that prioritizes speed and accessibility over winding backroads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
68 miles from Bakersfield, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed experience, as 96% of this 136-mile trip takes place on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Golden State Freeway, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 87 miles. As you transition onto the I-405 Truck route and the San Diego Freeway, the character of the road remains consistent with a busy, interstate-heavy corridor. Behind the wheel, you will find this is a classic highway grind designed for steady cruising rather than technical maneuvering. The road is built for pace, allowing you to cover the distance efficiently while staying focused on the flow of regional traffic.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 87 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and I 405 Truck. 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 136 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 89.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese 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 none lane.
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 none lane.
8
89.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
6
89.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
I 405 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
133.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center,...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 87 mi | 1h 38m |
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| California Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Shoreline Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Ocean Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Seaside Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 87 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield, CA and Long Beach, 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
377 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 32B
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
13
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
Use the none lane.
17
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
18
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ocean Boulevard
Use the none lane.
19
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 2 hour and 39 minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, especially as you approach the denser areas near Long Beach. You only need to plan for one major stop along the way, which provides just enough time to stretch your legs or grab a quick refreshment. Since you are budgeting $31 for fuel, keeping a steady speed on the Golden State Freeway will help you maintain that efficiency throughout the 136-mile journey. Keep in mind that because the route is so highway-dominated, your biggest challenge will be navigating the transition between the different freeways. Stay alert for signage changes when moving from the Golden State Freeway onto the San Diego Freeway to ensure a smooth transition.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68 miles from Bakersfield, CA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87 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 68 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Long Beach, 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 136 miles and 2h 39m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Freeway for about 87 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68 mi from Bakersfield, CA · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68 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 Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87 miles.
Arriving in Long Beach, CA
The final approach into Long Beach, 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 Long Beach, 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
$31.49 one way
$62.99 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $32.48 | $64.96 |
| premium | $6.24 | $33.43 | $66.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.21 | $60.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.28 | $6.53 |
| Efficient EV | 34 | 0 | $11.90 | $5.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.04 | $8.70 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:22 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°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
21 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 39m 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 Long Beach, CA covers 136 miles and takes about 2h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Golden State Freeway, I 405 Truck, San Diego 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 68 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 $31.49 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 136 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 89.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Bakersfield, CA to Long Beach, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Long Beach, CA
More trips to Long Beach, CA
Explore more options from Bakersfield, CA or browse trips ending in Long Beach, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Bakersfield, CA or Long Beach, CA on MapSof.net.