Origin
Folsom, CA
Late night in Folsom on Wednesday
Local time
4:32 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Folsom, CA to Bakersfield, CA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 29m
Distance
286.3 mi
461 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$66
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 16m
★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 56m
10 AM
5h 39m
12 PM
5h 36m
3 PM
5h 40m
5 PM
5h 55m
8 PM
5h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Folsom, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Bakersfield, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 286.3-mile drive from Folsom, California, to Bakersfield, California, will take you about 5 hours and 29 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, making it ideal for a quick trip. You'll be spending most of your time on major arteries like CA 99, the Golden State Highway, and the South Sacramento Freeway, which make up 72% of the route. With an estimated fuel cost of $66, this trip is budget-friendly. Both Folsom and Bakersfield are within the Pacific Coast region, so you won't be crossing major geographical divides, but you will experience the varied landscapes of the Central Valley.
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
143.1 miles from Folsom, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 286.3-mile route. With 72% of the journey on main roads like CA 99 and the Golden State Highway, you'll encounter stretches designed for consistent speed. The longest uninterrupted segment is a significant 150.3 miles, primarily on CA 99, meaning you can settle in for extended periods of driving. While the profile is 'highway-focused,' keep an eye out for potential changes in speed limits and traffic as you pass through different towns and cities along the way. This is a route where efficiency is key, allowing you to cover ground steadily.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 99 is the longest continuous segment at about 150.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Golden State Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 286.3 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 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (Bradshaw Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.2 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
12.3 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward Bradshaw Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13
Toward Bradshaw Road
6
12.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
Bradshaw Road
Turn left onto Bradshaw Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
69.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
178.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
|
CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
283.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 24m in
|
CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Golden State Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Golden State Avenue toward CA 204 South: Golden State Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward CA 204 South: Golden State Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 150.3 mi | 2h 49m |
| Golden State Highway | 58.6 mi | 1h 2m |
| South Sacramento Freeway | 42.4 mi | 48m |
| Bradshaw Road | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| El Dorado Freeway | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| Golden State Freeway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Folsom Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Grant Line Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 150.3 mi, about 2h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Folsom, CA and Bakersfield, CA.
1
Start on Sutter Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Sutter Street
2
Turn right onto Wool Street
366 ft
·
18 sec
·
Wool Street
3
Turn left onto Leidesdorff Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Leidesdorff Street
4
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
5
Turn straight onto Folsom Boulevard
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Folsom Boulevard
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 50 West: Sacramento
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto US 50
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
El Dorado Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 13
Toward Bradshaw Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto Bradshaw Road
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Bradshaw Road
Use the left lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto Bradshaw Road
81 ft
·
1 sec
·
Bradshaw Road
11
Continue on Bradshaw Road
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Bradshaw Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
12
Turn right onto E2
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Grant Line Road
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on E2
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Kammerer Road
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
15
Merge onto CA 99
42 mi
·
48 min
·
South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
109 mi
·
2 hr 5 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi
·
44 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Avenue
Exit 27
Toward CA 204 South: Golden State Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
475 ft
·
13 sec
22
Continue on Golden State Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Golden State Road
23
Enter roundabout onto Chester Avenue
193 ft
·
3 sec
·
Chester Avenue
24
Continue on Chester Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Chester Avenue
25
Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue
122 ft
·
7 sec
·
Truxtun Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Truxtun Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 29-minute duration, this drive from Folsom to Bakersfield is very manageable as a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving early to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach more populated areas. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 150.3 miles, so plan for your primary stop before or after this segment to break up the drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $66, it's wise to ensure your tank is full before departing Folsom or at a convenient point along CA 99 to minimize any last-minute detours for gas.
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 143.1 miles from Folsom, CA, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.3 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.1 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bakersfield, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Folsom, 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 Folsom, CA
This is one driving day of about 286.3 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Folsom, 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 CA 99 for about 150.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 143.1 mi from Folsom, CA · 2h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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 143.1 miles from Folsom, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.3 miles.
Arriving in Bakersfield, CA
The final approach into Bakersfield, 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 Bakersfield, 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
$65.80 one way
$131.61 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $67.81 | $135.62 |
| premium | $6.18 | $69.63 | $139.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.21 | $126.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.9 | 1 | $30.06 | $13.74 |
| Efficient EV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.05 | $11.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.5 | 1 | $40.08 | $18.32 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Bakersfield, CA
Late night in Bakersfield on Wednesday
Local time
4:32 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°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
6 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
5h 29m 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 Folsom, CA to Bakersfield, CA covers 286.3 miles and takes about 5h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 99, Golden State Highway, South Sacramento 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 143.1 miles from Folsom, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $65.80 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 is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 286.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (Bradshaw Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.2 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Folsom, CA to Bakersfield, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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