How far is Bakersfield, CA from Joshua Tree, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Joshua Tree, CA is about 206.9 miles (333 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 175.8 miles (282.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 29m 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 14m.
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 Kern County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Joshua Tree.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Joshua Tree.
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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
5.2 mi · 6 min · Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 395: Bishop, San Bernardino
1715 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
30.1 mi · 36 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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12
Turn left onto Air Expressway
5.3 mi · 7 min · Air Expressway
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto National Old Trails Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · National Old Trails Highway
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14
Continue on D Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · D Street
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15
Continue on Happy Trails Highway
21.6 mi · 30 min · Happy Trails Highway
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16
Continue straight
87 m · 7 sec
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17
Continue on Old Woman Springs Road
41.8 mi · 52 min · Old Woman Springs Road
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18
Turn left onto Buena Vista Drive
3 mi · 4 min · Buena Vista Drive
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19
Turn right onto Yucca Mesa Road
2 mi · 3 min · Yucca Mesa Road
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20
Turn left onto 29 Palms Highway
3.3 mi · 5 min · 29 Palms Highway
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21
Turn right onto El Reposo Circle
27 m · 4 sec · El Reposo Circle
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · El Reposo Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Joshua Tree.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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 Mostly Sunny near Joshua Tree.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Joshua Tree?
The road trip is about 206.9 miles (333 km) and usually takes 04h 14m 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?
Boron is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.4 miles from Bakersfield and 103.5 miles from Joshua Tree.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 175.8 miles (282.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.1 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 $42.11 one way or $84.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near Joshua Tree.
Stop Ideas Near Boron
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 Boron.
Mojave, California
Lancaster, California
Barstow Harvey House
Barstow (Bus), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Joshua Tree. Straight-line distance: 175.81 mi (282.94 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 Joshua Tree
National park of the United States
| Population | 7,414 |
| Coordinates | 34.1347300, -116.3130700 |
| Altitude | 834 |
| Country | United States |
End: Joshua Tree (-116.31307, 34.13473)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 333 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $42.11 | $84.23 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $44.28 | $88.56 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $45.57 | $91.15 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $55.24 | $110.48 |
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.