How far is Bakersfield, CA from Lucerne Valley, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Lucerne Valley, CA is about 155.8 miles (250.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132.8 miles (213.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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 09m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Lucerne Valley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Lucerne Valley.
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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
20.6 mi · 29 min · Happy Trails Highway
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16
Turn left onto Kendall Road
14 m · 2 sec · Kendall Road
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Kendall Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Lucerne Valley.
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.
Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Sunny near Lucerne Valley.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Lucerne Valley?
The road trip is about 155.8 miles (250.7 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?
North Edwards is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.8 miles from Bakersfield and 78 miles from Lucerne Valley.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132.8 miles (213.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 23 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 10:42 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.37 one way or $68.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Lucerne Valley.
Stop Ideas Near North Edwards
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 North Edwards.
Mojave, California
Lancaster, California
Palmdale (Amtrak Thruway), California
Littlerock, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Lucerne Valley. Straight-line distance: 132.76 mi (213.66 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 Lucerne Valley
Located in the high Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County at an elevation of 2,953 feet, this unincorporated community sits north of the San Bernardino Mountains.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.4438900, -116.9678100 |
| Altitude | 900 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lucerne Valley (-116.96781, 34.44389)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 251 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $34.37 | $68.75 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $35.68 | $71.36 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $36.72 | $73.45 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $46.19 | $92.37 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026