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Trip from Bakersfield, CA to Santa Fe Springs, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 28m

Distance

125.3 mi

202 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 18m ★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m

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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city and county seat of Kern County, California, United States

Bakersfield, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Santa Fe Springs, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Bakersfield, CA to Santa Fe Springs, CA covers 125.3 miles and takes about 2h 28m 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, I 5 Truck, Santa Ana Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.2 miles on Golden State Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.80 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.

Midpoint

62.6 miles from Bakersfield, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Golden State Freeway 88.2 mi 1h 40m
I 5 Truck 25 mi 29m
Santa Ana Freeway 7.3 mi 8m
Telegraph Road 1.9 mi 3m
California Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
L Street 0.3 mi <1m
Lakewood Boulevard 0.3 mi <1m
Truxtun Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Golden State Freeway — 88.2 mi, about 1h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield, CA and Santa Fe Springs, 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

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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 left at fork onto I 5 Truck

25 mi · 29 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

1.3 mi · 1 min · Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11

Merge onto I 5

7.3 mi · 8 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Exit 125 Toward CA 19 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

354 ft · 13 sec
Exit 125 Toward Lakewood Boulevard, Rosemead Boulevard Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14

Turn left onto CA 19

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Lakewood Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
15

Turn right onto Telegraph Road

1.8 mi · 3 min · Telegraph Road
Use the right lane.
16

Turn left onto Alburtis Avenue

244 ft · 10 sec · Alburtis Avenue
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right

209 ft · 17 sec
18

Turn right

201 ft · 17 sec
19

Turn right onto Telegraph Road

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Telegraph Road
20

Arrive at destination

Telegraph Road

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 62.6 miles from Bakersfield, CA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.2 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 28 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.6 miles or 1h 12m 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 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Santa Fe Springs, 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 125.3 miles and 2h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Bakersfield, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Freeway for about 88.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Clarita, CA

63 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

Arvin, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Santa Clarita, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.6 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 88.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 26.8 and 122.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.
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
8
114.1 mi into trip | ~2h 12m in | I 5 / Golden State Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Stre...
7
122.7 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in

Take the exit toward CA 19

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 125 Toward CA 19
10
122.9 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Lakewood Boulevard, Rosemead Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 125 Toward Lakewood Boulevard, Rosemead Boulevard

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.80 one way

$57.60 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $29.68 $59.35
premium $6.18 $30.47 $60.94
diesel $5.61 $27.66 $55.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.6 0 $13.16 $6.01
Efficient EV 31.3 0 $10.96 $5.01
EV Truck/SUV 50.1 0 $17.54 $8.02

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Bakersfield, CA

Afternoon in Bakersfield on Saturday

Local time

12:26 PM

PDT

Current temp

73°F

Sunny

WNW 0 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 9:35AM PDT until April 15 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR

Lake Wind Advisory

Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:37AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV

Destination

Santa Fe Springs, CA

Afternoon in Santa Fe Springs on Saturday

Local time

12:26 PM

PDT

Current temp

72°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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 28m 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.

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 86.4
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 17.3
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

125.3 mi in 2h 28m, mostly highway — 88.2 mi of that is on Golden State Freeway.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.2 mi on Golden State Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and I 5 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.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 125.3 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 89.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.1 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Santa Fe Springs, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Ana along the way.

Santa Ana

114.1 mi in | ~2h 12m | via I 5

About the Cities

Starting in Bakersfield, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1869

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 2h 28m. Total distance: 125.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 88.2 miles on Golden State Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Santa Fe Springs, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 89.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.1 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Santa Fe Springs, CA before heading back.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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