How far is Bakersfield, CA from Rainbow, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Rainbow, CA is about 201 miles (323.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.6 miles (277.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 47m 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 53m.
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.
The most populous city in Los Angeles 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 Rainbow.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Rainbow.
-
1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
670 ft · 20 sec · Truxtun Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto L Street
1710 ft · 51 sec · L Street
-
3
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 99 South
1049 ft · 26 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
24.7 mi · 27 min · Golden State Freeway
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: Pasadena
1347 ft · 18 sec
-
9
Continue on Foothill Freeway
24.4 mi · 28 min · Foothill Freeway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
19.1 mi · 22 min · Foothill Freeway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2476 ft · 33 sec · Foothill Freeway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
1.4 km · 2 min
-
13
Continue on Orange Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Orange Freeway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71: Corona
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
15
Continue on Chino Valley Freeway
12.8 mi · 15 min · Chino Valley Freeway
-
16
Continue on Corona Freeway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Corona Freeway
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on CA 91 East: Riverside
1.2 km · 1 min
-
18
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
3.9 mi · 4 min · Riverside Freeway
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 North, I 15 South: Barstow, San Diego
1.3 km · 55 sec · Corona Freeway
-
20
Keep slight right to continue on Corona Freeway
2418 ft · 59 sec · Corona Freeway
-
21
Merge slight left onto Corona Freeway
14.2 mi · 16 min · Corona Freeway
-
22
Continue on Temecula Valley Freeway
19.1 mi · 20 min · Temecula Valley Freeway
-
23
Merge slight right onto Escondido Freeway
5.8 mi · 6 min · Escondido Freeway
-
24
Continue on Avocado Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Avocado Highway
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward Weigh Station
1739 ft · 48 sec
-
26
Turn left onto Rainbow Valley Boulevard West
1991 ft · 43 sec · Rainbow Valley Boulevard West
-
27
At the end of the road, turn right onto Rainbow Valley Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · Rainbow Valley Boulevard
-
28
Keep slight left to continue on Camino Rainbow
59 m · 9 sec · Camino Rainbow
-
29
Turn right onto 8th Street
13 m · 1 sec · 8th Street
-
30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 8th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Rainbow.
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 Rainbow.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Rainbow?
The road trip is about 201 miles (323.4 km) and usually takes 03h 53m 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?
Burbank is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.5 miles from Bakersfield and 100.4 miles from Rainbow.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.6 miles (277.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.4 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 9:12 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.90 one way or $81.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near Rainbow.
Stop Ideas Near Burbank
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Beverly Hilton
Los Angeles City Hall
City of Los Angeles
San Marino City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burbank.
Burbank Airport–South station
La Crescenta, California
Glendale Transportation Center
Van Nuys station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Rainbow. Straight-line distance: 172.54 mi (277.68 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 Rainbow
Census-designated place in San Diego County, California, United States of America
| Population | 1,832 |
| Coordinates | 33.4103100, -117.1478100 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rainbow (-117.14781, 33.41031)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 323 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $40.90 | $81.80 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $43.01 | $86.02 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $44.26 | $88.53 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $53.65 | $107.30 |
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.