This 246.7-mile journey from San Andreas to Bakersfield, California, is a manageable one-day drive, estimated to take around 5 hours and 2 minutes. You'll primarily be on CA 99, also known as Golden State Highway, with a portion on La Grange Road, making for a mixed driving experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $57, this route is an economical option for traversing the Pacific Coast region. The drive is straightforward, making it a good candidate for a single-day excursion without feeling overly rushed.
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
123.3 miles from San Andreas, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 2m. Total distance: 246.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a drive that's about 47% highway, featuring some continuous stretches like the 96.8-mile segment on CA 99. This route offers a mixed profile, meaning you'll experience both faster highway driving and potentially more local road conditions. As you travel south, the character of the drive will likely evolve, transitioning between open highway and areas with more local traffic and services. It's not a purely monotonous interstate, but rather a blend that keeps you engaged.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
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 96.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.7 miles in near CA 4.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 246.7 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 10.7 miles (CA 4): Lane positioning matters here; at 138.9 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 179.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
10.7 mi into trip|~15m in|CA 4
Turn right onto CA 4
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
138.9 mi into trip|~3h 5m 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
179.8 mi into trip|~3h 50m in|CA 99 / Golden State Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
243.6 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
6
245.7 mi into trip|~5h in|Chester Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Chester Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 99
96.8 mi
1h 47m
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi
1h 2m
La Grange Road
26.2 mi
38m
2nd Street
18 mi
27m
O'Byrnes Ferry Road
11.4 mi
15m
CA 4
10.8 mi
15m
East Saint Charles Street
10.7 mi
15m
Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 96.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Andreas, CA and Bakersfield, CA.
1
Start on CA 49
11 mi·15 min·East Saint Charles Street
2
Turn right onto CA 4
6.4 mi·8 min·CA 4
Use the right lane.
3
Turn straight onto CA 4
4.4 mi·6 min·CA 4
4
Turn left onto E15
1.4 mi·3 min·Main Street
5
Continue on E15
11 mi·15 min·O'Byrnes Ferry Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto CA 108; CA 120
3.2 mi·4 min·CA 108; CA 120
7
Turn left onto J59
26 mi·38 min·La Grange Road
Use the left lane.
8
At end of road, turn right onto CA 59; J16
0.4 mi·37 sec·Merced Falls Road
9
Continue on CA 59; J16
387 ft·6 sec·La Grange Road
10
Continue on CA 59; J16
18 mi·27 min·2nd Street
11
Turn right
142 ft·5 sec
Toward CA 59 South
12
Turn right onto CA 59
0.2 mi·25 sec·V Street
13
Turn left onto CA 59; CA 140
0.4 mi·34 sec·West 13th Street
14
Take the ramp onto CA 140 East; CA 59
0.2 mi·30 sec·CA 140 East; CA 59
Toward CA 99 South
15
Merge onto CA 99; CA 59; CA 140
0.3 mi·22 sec·CA 99; CA 59; CA 140
16
Continue on CA 99; CA 140
55 mi·1 hr 2 min·CA 99; CA 140
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 27Toward CA 204 South: Golden State AvenueUse 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 duration, starting your trip from San Andreas early in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Bakersfield without feeling rushed. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer 96.8-mile stretch on CA 99, as services can be spaced out. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your pace as needed.
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 123.3 miles from San Andreas, CA, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.8 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 54 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.3 miles or 2h 48m 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 14m
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 San Andreas, 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 San Andreas, CA
This is one driving day of about 246.7 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from San Andreas, 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 96.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123.3 mi from San Andreas, CA
· 2h 48m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 246.7
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74
0
$25.90
$11.84
Efficient EV
61.7
0
$21.59
$9.87
EV Truck/SUV
98.7
1
$34.54
$15.79
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 15, 2026
Origin
San Andreas, CA
Late night
in San Andreas on Friday
Local time
12:59 AM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bakersfield, CA
Late night
in Bakersfield on Friday
Local time
12:59 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°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
14 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 2m 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 San Andreas, CA to Bakersfield, CA covers 246.7 miles and takes about 5h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 99, Golden State Highway, La Grange Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 123.3 miles from San Andreas, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.70 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 15 significant decision points across 246.7 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 10.7 miles (CA 4): Lane positioning matters here; at 138.9 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 179.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from San Andreas, CA to Bakersfield, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include César E. Chávez National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
