How far is Barstow, CA from Bakersfield, CA?

The driving distance from Barstow, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 120.9 miles (194.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 112.9 miles (181.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
120.87 mi
02h 04m
Flight
112.9 mi
181.69 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Barstow.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
112.9 mi
Kilometers
181.69 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
120.87 mi
Kilometers
194.52 km
Drive Time
02h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bakersfield
Wed, Apr 22, 8:24 PM PDT
Return by in Barstow
Wed, Apr 22, 10:28 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Barstow
2026-04-22T18:19
Arrive Bakersfield
Wed, Apr 22, 8:24 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:04 AM to 12:04 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:22 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Barstow
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Tulare
CA

The most populous city in Tulare County, California.

From Barstow
60.3 mi
01h 02m
To Bakersfield
60.5 mi
01h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 12:00 PM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
71°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Barstow and Bakersfield.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Barstow and Bakersfield.

  1. 1

    Start on West Barstow Avenue

    46 m · 12 sec · West Barstow Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Dickenson Avenue

    2638 ft · 1 min · North Dickenson Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Shaw Avenue

    4.1 mi · 9 min · West Shaw Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto West Shaw Avenue

    2728 ft · 1 min · West Shaw Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right

    1691 ft · 41 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    7.4 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    41 mi · 44 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway

    58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Golden State Freeway

    5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Avenue

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    145 m · 13 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Golden State Road

    583 ft · 12 sec · Golden State Road

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chester Avenue

    59 m · 4 sec · Chester Avenue

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto Chester Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Chester Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue

    37 m · 8 sec · Truxtun Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Barstow and Bakersfield.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 48%
West Shaw Avenue
53.3 mi · 44%
Golden State Freeway
5.16 mi · 4%
Golden State Avenue
2.03 mi · 2%
Chester Avenue
0.95 mi · 1%
North Dickenson Avenue
0.5 mi
Longest Stretch

Golden State Highway

Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway

58.6 mi · 01h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8 mi
112.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tulare
01h 02m from Barstow
Leave By
2:22 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Barstow and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Barstow to Bakersfield?

The road trip is about 120.9 miles (194.5 km) and usually takes 02h 04m 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?

Tulare is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.3 miles from Barstow and 60.5 miles from Bakersfield.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 112.9 miles (181.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:22 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.63 one way or $49.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Barstow and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.

Stop Ideas Near Tulare

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Tulare, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tulare.

BUS

Visalia, California

15 mi away
425 E. Oak Street
BUS

Goshen Junction, California

16 mi away
30435 Road 68
RAIL

Corcoran station

22 mi away
1099 Otis Ave.
RAIL

Hanford station

30 mi away
200 Santa Fe Avenue #A

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Barstow and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 112.9 mi (181.69 km).

Barstow

#1 Barstow

City in San Bernardino County, California, United States

Population23,581
Coordinates36.8152200, -119.9698800
Altitude84
CountryUnited States
Bakersfield

#2 Bakersfield

The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Bakersfield metropolitan area.

Population385,725
Coordinates35.3732900, -119.0187100
Altitude123
CountryUnited States
Start: (-119.96988, 36.815213)
End: Truxtun Avenue (-119.01871, 35.373244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 195 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.27 gal
16.15 L · about $24.63
Round trip
$49.27
8.54 gal · 32.3 L
Estimated CO2
37.9 kg one way
Round trip: 75.9 kg / 167 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $24.63 $49.27
Mid-grade $6.07 $25.90 $51.80
Premium $6.24 $26.66 $53.32
Diesel $7.57 $32.31 $64.62

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

There is no time difference between Barstow and Bakersfield. The current time is 18:19:41.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.