How far is Bakersfield, CA from Salton City, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Salton City, CA is about 274 miles (440.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226 miles (363.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 30m 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 05h 15m.
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
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 Salton City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Salton City.
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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
2476 ft · 33 sec · Foothill Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
1.4 km · 2 min
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13
Continue on Orange Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Orange Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
928 ft · 23 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San Bernardino
1.1 km · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9 mi · 10 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
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19
Merge slight right onto San Bernardino Freeway
14.3 mi · 16 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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20
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
40.3 mi · 44 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.5 mi · 35 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Centro
33.9 mi · 39 min
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23
Turn left onto Sunrise Drive
137 m · 14 sec · Sunrise Drive
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24
Turn right onto Azure Avenue
1575 ft · 43 sec · Azure Avenue
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25
Continue on Harbor Drive
1577 ft · 49 sec · Harbor Drive
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26
At the end of the road, turn left onto Marina Drive
27 m · 5 sec · Marina Drive
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27
Turn right onto Harbor Drive
2223 ft · 1 min · Harbor Drive
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28
Turn left onto Marlin Drive
2824 ft · 1 min · Marlin Drive
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29
Turn left onto Shore Vista Avenue
92 m · 13 sec · Shore Vista Avenue
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30
Continue on Shore Gem Avenue
114 m · 16 sec · Shore Gem Avenue
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shore Gem Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Salton City.
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 Sunny near Salton City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Salton City?
The road trip is about 274 miles (440.9 km) and usually takes 05h 15m 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?
La Verne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137 miles from Bakersfield and 137 miles from Salton City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226 miles (363.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 48 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 6:30 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $55.79 one way or $111.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Salton City.
Stop Ideas Near La Verne
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Your Home Away From Home
Embassy Suites by Hilton Brea North Orange County
City of South El Monte City Hall
Chino City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to La Verne.
Pomona station
Claremont, California
Ontario
Fullerton Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Salton City. Straight-line distance: 225.98 mi (363.68 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 Salton City
Census-designated place in Imperial County, California
| Population | 3,763 |
| Coordinates | 33.2986500, -115.9561100 |
| Altitude | -38 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salton City (-115.95611, 33.29865)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 441 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $55.79 | $111.57 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $58.66 | $117.32 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $60.37 | $120.74 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $73.17 | $146.35 |
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.