How far is Bakersfield, CA from Tehachapi, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Tehachapi, CA is about 40.5 miles (65.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.2 miles (58.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 38m 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 49m.
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.
City in Kern County, California, United States
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 Tehachapi.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Tehachapi.
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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
36.9 mi · 43 min · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Mill Street
1461 ft · 36 sec
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8
Turn right onto North Mill Street
1751 ft · 41 sec · North Mill Street
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9
Continue on West H Street
1394 ft · 30 sec · West H Street
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10
Turn right onto North Green Street
95 m · 10 sec · North Green Street
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11
Turn right onto West Tehachapi Boulevard
147 m · 19 sec · West Tehachapi Boulevard
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12
Turn left onto South Curry Street
14 m · 1 sec · South Curry Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Curry Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Tehachapi.
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
36.9 mi · 00h 43m
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 Tehachapi.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Tehachapi?
The road trip is about 40.5 miles (65.2 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?
Arvin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.3 miles from Bakersfield and 20.3 miles from Tehachapi.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.2 miles (58.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.3 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 4:52 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.25 one way or $16.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near Tehachapi.
Stop Ideas Near Arvin
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 Arvin.
Bakersfield
Tehachapi, California
Mojave, California
Wasco station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Tehachapi. Straight-line distance: 36.21 mi (58.27 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 Tehachapi
City in California
| Population | 12,746 |
| Coordinates | 35.1321900, -118.4489700 |
| Altitude | 1210 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tehachapi (-118.44897, 35.13219)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 65 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $8.25 | $16.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $8.67 | $17.35 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $8.93 | $17.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $10.82 | $21.64 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.