How far is Barstow, CA from Bakersfield, CA?

The driving distance from Barstow, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 128.6 miles (207 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117.4 miles (189 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 26m 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
128.61 mi
02h 13m
Flight
117.45 mi
189.01 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
117.45 mi
Kilometers
189.01 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
128.61 mi
Kilometers
206.98 km
Drive Time
02h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bakersfield
Wed, Apr 22, 8:31 PM PDT
Return by in Barstow
Wed, Apr 22, 10:45 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Barstow
2026-04-22T18:18
Arrive Bakersfield
Wed, Apr 22, 8:31 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:13 AM to 12:13 PM PDT

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

Leave by
2:04 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
Mojave
CA

Desert in southwestern United States

From Barstow
64.9 mi
01h 06m
To Bakersfield
63.7 mi
01h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
23 to 31 mph W
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 East Main Street

    16 m · 9 sec · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Barstow Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · South Barstow Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    1632 ft · 40 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Barstow and Mojave Freeway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 58 West: Bakersfield

    3260 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Continue on Barstow-Bakersfield Highway

    34.8 mi · 40 min · Barstow-Bakersfield Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Mojave-Barstow Highway

    26.9 mi · 30 min · Mojave-Barstow Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Barstow–Bakersfield Highway

    8.2 mi · 9 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway

    1.2 km · 51 sec · Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway

    53.2 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Chester Avenue, H Street

    1067 ft · 26 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Richland Street

    590 ft · 16 sec · Richland Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Chester Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · South Chester Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue

    6 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue

  15. 15

    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

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
53.2 mi · 41%
Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
34.8 mi · 27%
Mojave-Barstow Highway
26.9 mi · 21%
Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
8.19 mi · 6%
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
2.72 mi · 2%
South Chester Avenue
1.4 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway

Continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway

53.2 mi · 01h 01m

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 13m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.2 mi
117.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mojave
01h 06m from Barstow
Leave By
2:04 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny 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 128.6 miles (207 km) and usually takes 02h 13m 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?

Mojave is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.9 miles from Barstow and 63.7 miles from Bakersfield.

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

The direct path is about 117.4 miles (189 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 2:04 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.19 one way or $52.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Barstow and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.

Stop Ideas Near Mojave

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mojave, 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 Mojave.

BUS

Mojave, California

15900 Sierra Highway
BUS

Tehachapi, California

27 mi away
Westside of Mullbery Street
BUS

Lancaster, California

40 mi away
44812 Sierra Highway
BUS

Palmdale (Amtrak Thruway), California

53 mi away
39000 Clock Tower Plaza Drive - Bus Bay 2E

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Barstow and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 117.45 mi (189.01 km).

Barstow

#1 Barstow

City in San Bernardino County, California, United States

Population23,692
Coordinates34.8985900, -117.0228200
Altitude663
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: East Main Street (-117.022819, 34.898714)
End: Truxtun Avenue (-119.01871, 35.373244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 207 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 12m
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.

One-way fuel
4.54 gal
17.18 L · about $26.19
Round trip
$52.38
9.08 gal · 34.36 L
Estimated CO2
40.3 kg one way
Round trip: 80.7 kg / 178 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $26.19 $52.38
Mid-grade $6.07 $27.54 $55.08
Premium $6.24 $28.34 $56.69
Diesel $7.57 $34.35 $68.71

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 18:18:22.

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.