How far is Bakersfield, CA from Lake Isabella, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Lake Isabella, CA is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35 miles (56.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 59m 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 00h 59m.
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.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Lake Isabella.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Lake Isabella.
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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
121 m · 5 sec · Isabella Walker Pass Road
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Bodfish
1317 ft · 33 sec
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8
Turn right onto Elizabeth Norris Road
1692 ft · 39 sec · Elizabeth Norris Road
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9
Turn left onto Lake Isabella Boulevard
3151 ft · 1 min · Lake Isabella Boulevard
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10
Turn right onto Erskine Creek Road
1337 ft · 42 sec · Erskine Creek Road
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11
Turn left onto Lake Ridge Way
120 m · 17 sec · Lake Ridge Way
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lake Ridge Way
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Lake Isabella.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
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.
Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Sunny near Lake Isabella.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Lake Isabella?
The road trip is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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 20.8 miles from Bakersfield and 20.8 miles from Lake Isabella.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35 miles (56.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:30 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.48 one way or $16.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Lake Isabella.
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 Lake Isabella. Straight-line distance: 35.04 mi (56.39 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 Isabella
Census-designated place in Kern County, California
| Population | 3,466 |
| Coordinates | 35.6180100, -118.4731400 |
| Altitude | 766 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Isabella (-118.47314, 35.61801)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 67 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $8.48 | $16.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $8.92 | $17.83 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $9.18 | $18.35 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $11.12 | $22.25 |
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 · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.