How far is Bakersfield, CA from Searles Valley, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Searles Valley, CA is about 128.8 miles (207.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 94.8 miles (152.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 45m 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 02h 52m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Kern 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 Searles Valley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Searles 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
2.2 mi · 3 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 14: Bishop, Mojave
2375 ft · 56 sec
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9
Merge slight right onto Aerospace Highway
17.1 mi · 20 min · Aerospace Highway
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10
Continue on Midland Trail
1729 ft · 23 sec · Midland Trail
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11
Turn right onto Redrock Randsburg Road
12.1 mi · 17 min · Redrock Randsburg Road
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12
Continue on Garlock Road
8.4 mi · 12 min · Garlock Road
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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14
Turn right onto Searles Station Cutoff Road
6.3 mi · 11 min · Searles Station Cutoff Road
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15
Turn left onto Trona Road
8.5 mi · 15 min · Trona Road
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Trona Road
12.9 mi · 18 min · Trona Road
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17
Turn left onto 1st Street
1 km · 2 min · 1st Street
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18
Continue on Trona Dump Road
2777 ft · 2 min · Trona Dump Road
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19
Turn straight
1454 ft · 2 min
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Searles 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 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near Searles Valley.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Searles Valley?
The road trip is about 128.8 miles (207.3 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?
California City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.4 miles from Bakersfield and 64.4 miles from Searles Valley.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 94.8 miles (152.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 34 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 12:44 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.25 one way or $52.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near Searles Valley.
Stop Ideas Near California City
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 California City.
Mojave, California
Tehachapi, California
Lancaster, California
Palmdale (Amtrak Thruway), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Searles Valley. Straight-line distance: 94.75 mi (152.48 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 Searles Valley
Census designated place in California
| Population | 1,739 |
| Coordinates | 35.7674500, -117.4039500 |
| Altitude | 637 |
| Country | United States |
End: Searles Valley (-117.40395, 35.76745)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 207 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $26.25 | $52.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $27.60 | $55.20 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $28.41 | $56.81 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $34.43 | $68.86 |
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.