How far is Bakersfield, CA from Big River, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Big River, CA is about 336.5 miles (541.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 277.8 miles (447 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 06h 24m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in San Bernardino County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Big River.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Big River.
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1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
670 ft · 20 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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2
Turn right onto L Street
1710 ft · 49 sec · L Street
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3
Turn left onto California Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · California Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Union Avenue
1.1 mi · 1 min · Union Avenue
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5
Take the exit slight right toward CA 58 East: Mojave
1111 ft · 27 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
53.5 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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7
Continue on Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
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8
Continue on Mojave-Barstow Highway
26.9 mi · 30 min · Mojave-Barstow Highway
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9
Continue on Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
34.8 mi · 40 min · Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 15 North: Las Vegas
1.2 mi · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Barstow and Mojave Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Needles Freeway
143.8 mi · 2 hr 34 min · Needles Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 95 South: East Broadway, Blythe
1786 ft · 22 sec
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14
Turn right onto Route 95
47.4 mi · 55 min · Route 95
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15
Turn left onto Aqueduct Road
12.6 mi · 19 min · Aqueduct Road
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16
Turn right onto Rio Mesa Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · Rio Mesa Drive
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17
Turn left onto Alamo Road
1719 ft · 1 min · Alamo Road
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18
Turn right onto Sierra Vista Road
1805 ft · 1 min · Sierra Vista Road
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19
Turn right onto Koloko Court
74 m · 11 sec · Koloko Court
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Koloko Court
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Big River.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Needles Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Needles Freeway
144 mi · 02h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Sunny near Big River.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Big River?
The road trip is about 336.5 miles (541.5 km) and usually takes 06h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Barstow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 168 miles from Bakersfield and 168.4 miles from Big River.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 277.8 miles (447 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.7 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $68.48 one way or $136.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 105.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Big River.
Stop Ideas Near Barstow
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Barstow.
Barstow Harvey House
Barstow (Bus), California
Victor Valley Transportation Center
Victorville, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Big River. Straight-line distance: 277.73 mi (446.97 km).
#1 Bakersfield
The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Bakersfield metropolitan area.
| Population | 385,725 |
| Coordinates | 35.3732900, -119.0187100 |
| Altitude | 123 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Big River
Unincorporated community in Mendocino County, California, United States
| Population | 1,327 |
| Coordinates | 34.1400200, -114.3613400 |
| Altitude | 134 |
| Country | United States |
End: Big River (-114.36134, 34.14002)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 541 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $68.48 | $136.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $72.00 | $144.01 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $74.10 | $148.21 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $89.82 | $179.64 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.