Origin
Upland, CA
Night in Upland on Tuesday
Local time
11:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Upland, CA to Bakersfield, CA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 47m
Distance
143.3 mi
231 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 37m
★
6 AM
2h 48m
8 AM
3h 10m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Upland, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Bakersfield, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 143.3-mile drive from Upland, CA to Bakersfield, CA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 95% of the journey on major freeways, making it a straightforward transit between the Pacific Coast regions. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, this is an economical option for getting from Southern California's Inland Empire to the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, you won't need an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
71.7 miles from Upland, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this trip, with 95% of the route utilizing major freeways. You'll be navigating on the Foothill Freeway and the Golden State Freeway, eventually transitioning to I-5 Truck. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 52.1 miles on the Foothill Freeway. This drive is characterized by its consistent speed and direct path, offering a functional transit rather than a winding scenic adventure.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Foothill Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 52.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Foothill Freeway and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near Baseline Road.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 143.3 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 3.5 miles (Baseline Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Baseline Road
Turn left onto Baseline Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
4.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
6
5.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
31.1 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward I 210 West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26A
Toward I 210 West: Sacramento
7
141.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Foothill Freeway | 52.1 mi | 1h |
| Golden State Freeway | 47.5 mi | 52m |
| I 5 Truck | 37.1 mi | 42m |
| West Foothill Boulevard | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| California Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Benson Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| Baseline Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Euclid Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Foothill Freeway
— 52.1 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Upland, CA and Bakersfield, CA.
1
Start on North 2nd Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
North 2nd Avenue
2
Turn left onto East Arrow Highway
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
East Arrow Highway
3
Turn right onto North Euclid Avenue
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Euclid Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 66 Hist
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Foothill Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Benson Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Benson Avenue
6
Turn left onto Baseline Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Baseline Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on Base Line Road
477 ft
·
10 sec
·
Base Line Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto CA 210
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
26 mi
·
29 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Exit 26A
Toward I 210 West: Sacramento
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 5 Truck
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi
·
41 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 25
Toward California Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
California Avenue
22
Turn left onto Chester Avenue
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Chester Avenue
23
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
Truxtun Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Truxtun Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 143.3-mile journey, leaving Upland, CA in the morning, perhaps before 9 AM, will help you avoid peak traffic. Since the drive is just under 3 hours and mostly on highways, you won't need many stops, though it's always wise to take breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before departing, as the estimated cost is $33. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 50 miles, so plan your fueling and rest stops accordingly before you hit that point.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.7 miles from Upland, CA, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.1 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 71.7 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 18m
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 Upland, 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 Upland, CA
This is one driving day of about 143.3 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Upland, 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 Foothill Freeway for about 52.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.7 mi from Upland, CA · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 71.7 miles from Upland, 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
$32.94 one way
$65.87 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $33.94 | $67.88 |
| premium | $6.18 | $34.85 | $69.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.64 | $63.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43 | 0 | $15.05 | $6.88 |
| Efficient EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.54 | $5.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.06 | $9.17 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Night in Bakersfield on Tuesday
Local time
11:50 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
21 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 47m 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 Upland, CA to Bakersfield, CA covers 143.3 miles and takes about 2h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Foothill Freeway, Golden State Freeway, I 5 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.7 miles from Upland, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.94 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 143.3 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 3.5 miles (Baseline Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Upland, CA to Bakersfield, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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