How far is Bakersfield, CA from Barstow, CA?

The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Barstow, CA is about 130.7 miles (210.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117.4 miles (189 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
130.71 mi
02h 31m
Flight
117.45 mi
189.01 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bakersfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
117.45 mi
Kilometers
189.01 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
130.71 mi
Kilometers
210.35 km
Drive Time
02h 31m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Barstow
Thu, Apr 23, 2:41 AM PDT
Return by in Bakersfield
Thu, Apr 23, 5:13 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bakersfield
2026-04-23T00:09
Arrive Barstow
Thu, Apr 23, 2:41 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:32 AM to 12:32 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:26 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bakersfield
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Mojave
CA

Desert in southwestern United States

From Bakersfield
65.2 mi
01h 15m
To Barstow
65.4 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW
Destination
76°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Barstow.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Barstow.

  1. 1

    Start on Truxtun Avenue

    670 ft · 20 sec · Truxtun Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto L Street

    1710 ft · 49 sec · L Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto California Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · California Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Union Avenue

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Union Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 58 East: Mojave

    1111 ft · 27 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway

    53.5 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Barstow–Bakersfield Highway

    8.1 mi · 9 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Mojave-Barstow Highway

    26.9 mi · 30 min · Mojave-Barstow Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Barstow-Bakersfield Highway

    34.8 mi · 40 min · Barstow-Bakersfield Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 15 North: Las Vegas

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Barstow and Mojave Freeway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 247 South: Barstow Road

    1813 ft · 52 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Barstow Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Barstow Road

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Main Street

    16 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Barstow.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
53.5 mi · 41%
Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
34.8 mi · 27%
Mojave-Barstow Highway
26.9 mi · 21%
Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
8.06 mi · 6%
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
2.46 mi · 2%
I 15 North
1.2 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway

Merge slight left onto Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway

53.5 mi · 01h 02m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.3 mi
117.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mojave
01h 15m from Bakersfield
Leave By
1:26 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Sunny near Barstow.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Barstow?

The road trip is about 130.7 miles (210.4 km) and usually takes 02h 31m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Mojave is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.2 miles from Bakersfield and 65.4 miles from Barstow.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 117.4 miles (189 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:26 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.60 one way or $53.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Barstow.

Stop Ideas Near Mojave

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mojave, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mojave.

BUS

Mojave, California

15900 Sierra Highway
BUS

Tehachapi, California

27 mi away
Westside of Mullbery Street
BUS

Lancaster, California

40 mi away
44812 Sierra Highway
BUS

Palmdale (Amtrak Thruway), California

53 mi away
39000 Clock Tower Plaza Drive - Bus Bay 2E

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Barstow. Straight-line distance: 117.45 mi (189.01 km).

Bakersfield

#1 Bakersfield

The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Bakersfield metropolitan area.

Population385,725
Coordinates35.3732900, -119.0187100
Altitude123
CountryUnited States
Barstow

#2 Barstow

City in San Bernardino County, California, United States

Population23,692
Coordinates34.8985900, -117.0228200
Altitude663
CountryUnited States
Start: Bakersfield (-119.01871, 35.37329)
End: Barstow (-117.02282, 34.89859)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 210 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.61 gal
17.46 L · about $26.60
Round trip
$53.19
9.22 gal · 34.92 L
Estimated CO2
41 kg one way
Round trip: 81.9 kg / 181 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $26.60 $53.19
Mid-grade $6.07 $27.96 $55.93
Premium $6.24 $28.78 $57.56
Diesel $7.57 $34.88 $69.77

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in California · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Bakersfield and Barstow. The current time is 00:09:51.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.