How far is Bakersfield, CA from Desert Hot Springs, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Desert Hot Springs, CA is about 219.3 miles (353 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 173.1 miles (278.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 30m 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 04h 15m.
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.
City in 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 Desert Hot Springs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Desert Hot Springs.
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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 · 51 sec · L Street
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3
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 99 South
1049 ft · 26 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
24.7 mi · 27 min · Golden State Freeway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: Pasadena
1347 ft · 18 sec
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9
Continue on Foothill Freeway
24.4 mi · 28 min · Foothill Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
19.1 mi · 22 min · Foothill Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2476 ft · 33 sec · Foothill Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
1.4 km · 2 min
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13
Continue on Orange Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Orange Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
928 ft · 23 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San Bernardino
1.1 km · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9 mi · 10 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
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19
Merge slight right onto San Bernardino Freeway
14.3 mi · 16 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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20
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
40.3 mi · 44 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
4.1 mi · 4 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward CA 62: 29 Palms Highway
1.5 km · 1 min
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23
Continue on 29 Palms Highway
3 mi · 4 min · 29 Palms Highway
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24
Turn right onto Pierson Boulevard
5.1 mi · 9 min · Pierson Boulevard
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25
Turn left onto Palm Drive
59 m · 11 sec · Palm Drive
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26
Turn right
74 m · 20 sec
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27
Turn right onto Pierson Boulevard
917 ft · 23 sec · Pierson Boulevard
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28
Turn right
62 m · 15 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Desert Hot Springs.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
58.2 mi · 01h 07m
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 Sunny near Desert Hot Springs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Desert Hot Springs?
The road trip is about 219.3 miles (353 km) and usually takes 04h 15m 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?
La Cañada Flintridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.6 miles from Bakersfield and 109.7 miles from Desert Hot Springs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 173.1 miles (278.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.2 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 8:30 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.65 one way or $89.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Desert Hot Springs.
Stop Ideas Near La Cañada Flintridge
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Viceroy L'Ermitage Beverly Hills
City Hall Park Center
City of Los Angeles
Vernon City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to La Cañada Flintridge.
Pasadena, California
La Crescenta, California
Glendale Transportation Center
Burbank Airport–South station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Desert Hot Springs. Straight-line distance: 173.03 mi (278.46 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 Desert Hot Springs
City in Riverside County, California, United States
| Population | 29,611 |
| Coordinates | 33.9617300, -116.5035300 |
| Altitude | 328 |
| Country | United States |
End: Desert Hot Springs (-116.50353, 33.96173)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 353 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $44.65 | $89.30 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $46.95 | $93.90 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $48.32 | $96.64 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $58.57 | $117.14 |
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.