How far is Bakersfield, CA from Cottonwood, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Cottonwood, CA is about 308.8 miles (497 km), with a travel time of about 05h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 279.3 miles (449.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 59m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census-designated place in California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Cottonwood.
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1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
670 ft · 24 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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2
Continue on Truxtun Avenue
747 ft · 27 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Chester Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Chester Avenue
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Golden State Road
591 ft · 12 sec · Golden State Road
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Golden State Road
130 m · 9 sec · Golden State Road
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6
Take the ramp straight
120 m · 11 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Golden State Avenue
1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue
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8
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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9
Continue on Golden State Highway
111.4 mi · 2 hr · Golden State Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
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11
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
84.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Northbound California State Route 99
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13
Continue on Golden State Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Golden State Highway
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14
Continue on Old U.S. Route 99E
1.3 mi · 1 min · Old U.S. Route 99E
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15
Keep slight left
44.1 mi · 51 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 West, US 50 East: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe
2549 ft · 34 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 West: San Francisco
1.3 km · 1 min
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18
Continue on Capital City Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Capital City Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
803 ft · 15 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 North: Redding
1407 ft · 30 sec
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on I 5: Redding
1615 ft · 39 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Westside Freeway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
11.2 mi · 13 min · Westside Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward CA 113 South: Main Street, Woodland
1457 ft · 40 sec
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25
Continue on East Main Street
3.1 mi · 8 min · East Main Street
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26
Continue straight
9.2 mi · 13 min
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27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
71 m · 4 sec
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28
Exit the roundabout
48 m · 4 sec
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29
Continue on County Road 89
1.6 mi · 4 min · County Road 89
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 89
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Cottonwood.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Golden State Highway
Continue on Golden State Highway
111 mi · 02h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Chance Light Rain near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 308.8 miles (497 km) and usually takes 05h 59m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Planada is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.5 miles from Bakersfield and 154.3 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 279.3 miles (449.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.5 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 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:00 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $62.88 one way or $125.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Chance Light Rain near Cottonwood.
Stop Ideas Near Planada
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 Planada.
Merced station
Mariposa, CA
Mariposa, California
Madera
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 279.32 mi (449.53 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 Cottonwood
Ghost town in Yolo County, California
| Population | 3,850 |
| Coordinates | 38.6582400, -121.9710800 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-121.97108, 38.65824)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 497 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $62.88 | $125.76 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $66.12 | $132.24 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $68.05 | $136.10 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $82.48 | $164.96 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.