How far is Bakersfield, CA from Valley Center, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Valley Center, CA is about 221.9 miles (357.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 187.1 miles (301.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 39m 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 04h 19m.
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 second most populous city in Los Angeles 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 Valley Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Valley Center.
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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
3.2 mi · 4 min · Orange Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71: Corona
1.1 mi · 2 min
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15
Continue on Chino Valley Freeway
12.8 mi · 15 min · Chino Valley Freeway
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16
Continue on Corona Freeway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Corona Freeway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on CA 91 East: Riverside
1.2 km · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
3.9 mi · 4 min · Riverside Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 North, I 15 South: Barstow, San Diego
1.3 km · 55 sec · Corona Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Corona Freeway
2418 ft · 59 sec · Corona Freeway
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21
Merge slight left onto Corona Freeway
14.2 mi · 16 min · Corona Freeway
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22
Continue on Temecula Valley Freeway
19.1 mi · 20 min · Temecula Valley Freeway
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23
Merge slight right onto Escondido Freeway
5.8 mi · 6 min · Escondido Freeway
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24
Continue on Avocado Highway
15.2 mi · 16 min · Avocado Highway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Gopher Canyon Road, Old Castle Road
1006 ft · 29 sec
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26
Turn left onto Gopher Canyon Road
896 ft · 21 sec · Gopher Canyon Road
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27
At the end of the road, turn right onto Champagne Boulevard
855 ft · 21 sec · Champagne Boulevard
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28
Turn left onto Old Castle Road
5.5 mi · 10 min · Old Castle Road
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29
Continue on Lilac Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Lilac Road
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30
Turn right onto Valley Center Road
1692 ft · 35 sec · Valley Center Road
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31
Turn right onto Old Road
45 m · 7 sec · Old Road
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Old Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Valley Center.
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.
Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Sunny near Valley Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Valley Center?
The road trip is about 221.9 miles (357.1 km) and usually takes 04h 19m 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?
Pasadena is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111 miles from Bakersfield and 110.9 miles from Valley Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 187.1 miles (301.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.8 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 8:20 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.17 one way or $90.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Valley Center.
Stop Ideas Near Pasadena
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Manor Hotel
City Hall Park Center
City of Los Angeles
Vernon City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pasadena.
Pasadena, California
Glendale Transportation Center
Los Angeles Union Station
La Crescenta, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Valley Center. Straight-line distance: 187.07 mi (301.06 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 Valley Center
City in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States of America
| Population | 9,277 |
| Coordinates | 33.2183700, -117.0342000 |
| Altitude | 400 |
| Country | United States |
End: Valley Center (-117.0342, 33.21837)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 357 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $45.17 | $90.34 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $47.50 | $94.99 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $48.88 | $97.77 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $59.25 | $118.50 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.