Trip from Ricardo, CA to McFarland, CA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 4m

Distance

105.7 mi

170 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

1h 56m ★

6 AM

2h 5m

8 AM

2h 22m

10 AM

2h 11m

12 PM

2h 9m

3 PM

2h 12m

5 PM

2h 21m

8 PM

1h 59m

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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Ricardo, CA

Efrem Efre

McFarland, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

The drive from Ricardo, CA to McFarland, CA covers 105.7 miles and takes about 2h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway, Aerospace Highway, Golden State Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 52.4 miles on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.29 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

52.8 miles from Ricardo, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 105.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 4m drive with frequent turns across 105.7 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 52.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 22 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 105.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 22 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 77.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.1 miles (East Brundage Lane): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

22 mi into trip | ~27m in

Take the exit toward CA-58 West: Bakersfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward CA-58 West: Bakersfield

77.9 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Take the exit toward CA 204: Union Avenue

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 112 Toward CA 204: Union Avenue

78.1 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in | East Brundage Lane

Turn left onto East Brundage Lane

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

83.1 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | CA 99 / Golden State Freeway

Merge onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

105 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in

Take the exit toward McFarland, Sherwood Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 49 Toward McFarland, Sherwood Avenue

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway	52.4 mi	1h
Aerospace Highway	16.9 mi	19m
Golden State Highway	16.7 mi	17m
Golden State Freeway	5.2 mi	5m
Midland Trail	4.3 mi	4m
Golden State Avenue	3.4 mi	3m
Barstow–Bakersfield Highway	2.3 mi	2m
Union Avenue	1.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway — 52.4 mi, about 1h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ricardo, CA and McFarland, CA.

Start on Abbott Drive

0.8 mi · 2 min · Abbott Drive

Turn right onto CA 14; US 6 Hist

4.3 mi · 4 min · Midland Trail

Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist

17 mi · 19 min · Aerospace Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 59 sec

Toward CA-58 West: Bakersfield

Merge onto CA 58

2.3 mi · 2 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway

Continue on CA 58

0.7 mi · 50 sec · Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway

Continue on CA 58

52 mi · 1 hr · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Exit 112 Toward CA 204: Union Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto East Brundage Lane

445 ft · 21 sec · East Brundage Lane

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS

1.5 mi · 1 min · Union Avenue

Continue on CA 204; CA 99 BUS

3.4 mi · 3 min · Golden State Avenue

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto CA 99

5.2 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 99

17 mi · 17 min · Golden State Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Exit 49 Toward McFarland, Sherwood Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto Sherwood Avenue Access Ramp

487 ft · 9 sec · Sherwood Avenue Access Ramp

Continue on 1st Street

0.3 mi · 53 sec · 1st Street

Turn left onto West Kern Avenue

384 ft · 16 sec · West Kern Avenue

Arrive at destination

West Kern Avenue

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 52.8 miles from Ricardo, CA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.4 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 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 52.8 miles or 1h 3m 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 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McFarland, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Ricardo, 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 Ricardo, CA

This is one driving day of about 105.7 miles and 2h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ricardo, 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 Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway for about 52.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 52.8 mi from Ricardo, CA · 1h 3m into the drive

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bakersfield, CA

53 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

Bakersfield, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bakersfield, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.8 miles from Ricardo, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in McFarland, CA

The final approach into McFarland, 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 McFarland, CA.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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...

0 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 51

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.29 one way

$48.59 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.02	$25.04	$50.07
premium	$6.18	$25.71	$51.41
diesel	$5.61	$23.34	$46.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 37 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	31.7	$11.10	$5.07
Efficient EV	26.4	$9.25	$4.23
EV Truck/SUV	42.3	$14.80	$6.76

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 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.

Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026

Origin

Ricardo, CA

Morning in Ricardo on Thursday

Local time

11:47 AM

PDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

McFarland, CA

Morning in McFarland on Thursday

Local time

11:47 AM

PDT

Current temp

70°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

9 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 4m 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 Ricardo, CA to McFarland, CA covers 105.7 miles and takes about 2h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway, Aerospace Highway, Golden State Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 52.8 miles from Ricardo, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.29 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.

The route from Ricardo, CA to McFarland, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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