How far is Bakersfield, CA from Kernville, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Kernville, CA is about 52.4 miles (84.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.5 miles (68.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 15m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Kernville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Kernville.
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1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
670 ft · 24 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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2
Turn left onto L Street
2477 ft · 1 min · L Street
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3
Turn right onto 23rd Street
128 m · 9 sec · 23rd Street
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4
Keep slight left to continue on CHP Officer David W. Manning Memorial Freeway
7.4 mi · 8 min · CHP Officer David W. Manning Memorial Freeway
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5
Continue on Route 178
31.9 mi · 46 min · Route 178
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6
Continue on Isabella Walker Pass Road
1.4 mi · 1 min · Isabella Walker Pass Road
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 155
1278 ft · 31 sec
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8
Turn left onto Wofford Heights Boulevard
6.6 mi · 10 min · Wofford Heights Boulevard
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9
Continue on Wofford Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · Wofford Boulevard
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10
Continue on Burlando Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Burlando Road
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11
Turn left onto Big Blue Road
12 m · 2 sec · Big Blue Road
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Big Blue Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Kernville.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Route 178
Continue on Route 178
31.9 mi · 00h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Sunny near Kernville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Kernville?
The road trip is about 52.4 miles (84.4 km) and usually takes 01h 15m 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?
Bodfish is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.2 miles from Bakersfield and 26.2 miles from Kernville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.5 miles (68.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 3:58 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.67 one way or $21.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Kernville.
Stop Ideas Near Bodfish
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 Bodfish.
Tehachapi, California
Bakersfield
Mojave, California
Wasco station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Kernville. Straight-line distance: 42.5 mi (68.4 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 Kernville
Census-designated place in the southern Sierra Nevada, in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 1,395 |
| Coordinates | 35.7546700, -118.4253600 |
| Altitude | 813 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kernville (-118.42536, 35.75467)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 84 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $10.67 | $21.35 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $11.22 | $22.44 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $11.55 | $23.10 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $14.00 | $28.00 |
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.