Origin
Ladera Heights, CA
Afternoon in Ladera Heights on Sunday
Local time
2:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ladera Heights, CA to Bakersfield, CA
Drive Time
2h 12m
Distance
113.4 mi
183 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 3m
★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 31m
10 AM
2h 19m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 20m
5 PM
2h 30m
8 PM
2h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ladera Heights, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Bakersfield, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head north from Ladera Heights to Bakersfield, you are looking at a straightforward 113.4-mile journey. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 12 minutes on the road, making this an ideal candidate for a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. Since the route stays entirely within the Pacific Coast region of California, you will not experience major climate shifts, but you should budget approximately $26 for fuel to cover the distance. The route is highly efficient, utilizing a combination of the Golden State Freeway, I-5 Truck, and the San Diego Freeway. Because the trip is relatively short, you can easily complete it in one go without the need for forced overnight stops along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
56.7 miles from Ladera Heights, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will quickly find yourself in a steady rhythm as you navigate the interstate system, which defines the personality of this transit. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Golden State Freeway, where you will cover 47.5 miles without needing to change your course. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience rather than technical winding roads or slow local traffic. It is a functional, direct path designed for speed and efficiency, perfect for travelers who prefer to keep their eyes on the road and arrive at their destination without unnecessary detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 47.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.5 miles in near West Slauson Avenue.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 113.4 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 0.5 miles (West Slauson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (CA 90 / Marina Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
West Slauson Avenue
Turn right onto West Slauson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
1.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
CA 90 / Marina Freeway
Turn left onto CA 90 / Marina Freeway toward CA 90 West, I 405 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 90 West, I 405 North
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 405 North: Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 North: Sacramento
9
26.4 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
7
111.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward California Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward California Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 47.5 mi | 52m |
| I 5 Truck | 39.3 mi | 45m |
| San Diego Freeway | 22.8 mi | 26m |
| California Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| West Slauson Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Marina Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Chester Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Bedford Avenue | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 47.5 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ladera Heights, CA and Bakersfield, CA.
1
Start on Bedford Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto West 57th Street
323 ft
·
20 sec
·
West 57th Street
3
Turn left onto Shenandoah Avenue
374 ft
·
20 sec
·
Shenandoah Avenue
4
Turn right onto West Slauson Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Slauson Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto CA 90
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
Marina Freeway
Toward CA 90 West, I 405 North
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Sacramento
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 405
23 mi
·
26 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the none lane.
8
Merge onto I 5 Truck
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi
·
41 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 25
Toward California Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
California Avenue
15
Turn left onto Chester Avenue
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Chester Avenue
Use the none lane.
16
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
Truxtun Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Truxtun Avenue
Trip Plan
To ensure your 2-hour and 12-minute trip goes smoothly, try to time your departure to avoid peak congestion on the major freeways. Since this route is almost entirely highway-based, the lack of required stops gives you the flexibility to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $26 estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate based on current prices and how heavy your foot is on the pedal. Because you will be spending nearly the entire trip on high-speed roads, ensure your vehicle is highway-ready before leaving Ladera Heights. Using the I-5 Truck route effectively helps you maintain a steady pace, so stay alert for lane changes as you transition between the San Diego Freeway and the Golden State Freeway.
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 56.7 miles from Ladera Heights, CA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.5 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.7 miles or 1h 7m 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 48m
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 Ladera Heights, 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 Ladera Heights, CA
This is one driving day of about 113.4 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ladera Heights, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Freeway for about 47.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.7 mi from Ladera Heights, CA · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 56.7 miles from Ladera Heights, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.26 one way
$52.52 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $27.08 | $54.16 |
| premium | $6.24 | $27.87 | $55.74 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.19 | $50.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34 | 0 | $11.91 | $5.44 |
| Efficient EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.92 | $4.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.88 | $7.26 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Bakersfield, CA
Afternoon in Bakersfield on Sunday
Local time
2:50 PM
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
3 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 12m 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 Ladera Heights, CA to Bakersfield, CA covers 113.4 miles and takes about 2h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Golden State Freeway, I 5 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 56.7 miles from Ladera Heights, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.26 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 113.4 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 0.5 miles (West Slauson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (CA 90 / Marina Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ladera Heights, CA to Bakersfield, 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 Bakersfield, CA
More trips to Bakersfield, CA
Explore more options from Ladera Heights, CA or browse trips ending in Bakersfield, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Ladera Heights, CA or Bakersfield, CA on MapSof.net.