How far is Bakersfield, CA from Lake Arrowhead, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Lake Arrowhead, CA is about 183.7 miles (295.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 129.7 miles (208.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 18m 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 03h 39m.
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, USA
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 Lake Arrowhead.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Lake Arrowhead.
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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
2.9 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
25.5 mi · 29 min · Foothill Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward CA 18: Waterman Avenue
1312 ft · 40 sec
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17
Turn left onto North Waterman Avenue
2.1 mi · 3 min · North Waterman Avenue
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18
Continue on Rim of the World Highway
16.1 mi · 24 min · Rim of the World Highway
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19
Turn left
1.5 mi · 3 min
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20
Turn right onto Mittry Drive
63 m · 9 sec · Mittry Drive
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mittry Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Lake Arrowhead.
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 Mostly Sunny near Lake Arrowhead.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Lake Arrowhead?
The road trip is about 183.7 miles (295.7 km) and usually takes 03h 39m 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?
San Fernando is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.8 miles from Bakersfield and 91.8 miles from Lake Arrowhead.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 129.7 miles (208.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 54 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 9:42 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.38 one way or $74.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near Lake Arrowhead.
Stop Ideas Near San Fernando
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 San Fernando.
Van Nuys station
Burbank Airport–South station
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Chatsworth station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Lake Arrowhead. Straight-line distance: 129.66 mi (208.67 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 Lake Arrowhead
Census-designated place in San Bernardino County, California, United States
| Population | 12,424 |
| Coordinates | 34.2483400, -117.1892100 |
| Altitude | 1577 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Arrowhead (-117.18921, 34.24834)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 296 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $37.38 | $74.77 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $39.31 | $78.62 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $40.45 | $80.91 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $49.03 | $98.07 |
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.