Drive Time
6h 23m
Distance
338.9 mi
545 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$78
one way
Photo: Stephen Leonardi
The drive from Bakersfield, CA to Windsor, CA covers 338.9 miles and takes about 6h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Truxtun Avenue, CA 58, Westside Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $78.48 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
169.5 miles from Bakersfield, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 23m drive with frequent turns across 338.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 23m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Bakersfield, CA to Windsor, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Truxtun Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CA 58 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Westside Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Stockdale Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 5 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Westside Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| William Elton Brown Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Arthur H | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield, CA and Windsor, CA.
Start on Truxtun Avenue
Continue on Truxtun Avenue
Take the ramp straight toward CA 58: Westside Parkway West
Continue on Westside Parkway
Continue on Stockdale Highway
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Stockdale Highway
Exit the roundabout onto Stockdale Highway
Take the exit straight toward I 5 North
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on MacArthur Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Rafeal
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
Take the exit slight right toward Old Redwood Highway, Central Windsor
Turn left onto Old Redwood Highway
Continue on Windsor River Road
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Windsor River Road
Exit the roundabout onto Windsor River Road
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.5 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Windsor, CA than in the middle of the route.
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 338.9 miles and 6h 23m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 169.5 mi from Bakersfield, CA · 3h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
169 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 169.5 miles from Bakersfield, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Windsor, 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 Windsor, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$78.48 one way
$156.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $80.94 | $161.87 |
| premium | $6.24 | $83.30 | $166.59 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $75.29 | $150.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$78
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$103–$128
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 101.7 | 1 | $35.58 | $16.27 |
| Efficient EV | 84.7 | 0 | $29.65 | $13.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 135.6 | 1 | $47.45 | $21.69 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Bakersfield on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Windsor on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
--
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
50°F
Hayward, CA
169 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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