How far is Big Bear City, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
Fastest route
The distance from Big Bear, California 92314, to Bakersfield, California is approximately 177 miles (284.85 kilometers). The estimated travel time is 3 hours and 11 minutes.
Directions
- Head west on E Big Bear Blvd toward Greenway Dr.
- Follow CA-18, US-395 N, and CA-58 W to Richland St in Bakersfield. Take exit 111 from CA-58 W.
- Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Greenway Dr.
- Turn right onto CA-18/W North Shore Dr.
- Continue to follow CA-18, then turn left to stay on CA-18.
- Turn left onto Air Base Rd/Air Expy.
- Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto the CA-58 W ramp.
- Continue straight to stay on CA-58 W.
- Take exit 111 toward Chester Ave/H St.
- Drive to S Chester Ave.
- Continue onto Richland St.
- Turn right onto S Chester Ave.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Plan for rest stops and fuel along the way, especially for long drives.
- ⚠️ Check the weather forecast before the journey and be prepared for any changes.
- 📱 Use a navigation app to stay updated on traffic and road conditions.
- 🍴 Pack some snacks and water for the road to keep yourself energized.
- 🛣️ Familiarize yourself with the route in advance to avoid confusion.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to travel from Big Bear, California, to Bakersfield, California?
A: The estimated travel time is 3 hours and 11 minutes.
Q: What is the distance between Big Bear and Bakersfield?
A: The distance is approximately 177 miles (284.85 kilometers).
Q: Which roads should I take to get to Bakersfield from Big Bear?
A: Follow CA-18, US-395 N, and CA-58 W to reach Bakersfield.
Q: Are there any specific exit points I should watch for during the journey?
A: Yes, take exit 111 from CA-58 W to reach Richland St in Bakersfield.
Q: What should I do if I encounter heavy traffic along the way?
A: If you encounter heavy traffic, consider using a navigation app to find alternative routes or be patient until the traffic clears.
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 03h 16m.
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.
Census-designated place 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 Big Bear City and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Bear City and Bakersfield.
-
1
Start on East Big Bear Boulevard
51 m · 9 sec · East Big Bear Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto Greenway Drive
1 km · 1 min · Greenway Drive
-
3
Turn right onto North Shore Drive
19.7 mi · 28 min · North Shore Drive
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4
At the end of the road, turn left
23.1 mi · 33 min
-
5
Continue on National Old Trails Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · National Old Trails Highway
-
6
Turn left onto Air Expressway
5.3 mi · 7 min · Air Expressway
-
7
Turn right onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
30.3 mi · 36 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
-
8
Turn left onto CA 58 West: Mojave
2667 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
4.8 mi · 5 min · Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
-
10
Continue on Mojave-Barstow Highway
26.9 mi · 30 min · Mojave-Barstow Highway
-
11
Continue on Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
-
12
Continue on Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
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13
Continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
53.2 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Chester Avenue, H Street
1067 ft · 26 sec
-
15
Continue on Richland Street
590 ft · 16 sec · Richland Street
-
16
Turn right onto South Chester Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Chester Avenue
-
17
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Big Bear City and Bakersfield.
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
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Big Bear City 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 Big Bear City to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 182.6 miles (293.8 km) and usually takes 03h 16m 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?
Boron is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.4 miles from Big Bear City and 94.2 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.3 miles (233.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:26 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.15 one way or $74.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Big Bear City and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Boron
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 Boron.
Mojave, California
Lancaster, California
Barstow Harvey House
Barstow (Bus), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Big Bear City and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 145.28 mi (233.8 km).
#1 Big Bear City
Census designated place
| Population | 12,304 |
| Coordinates | 34.2611200, -116.8450300 |
| Altitude | 2064 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Truxtun Avenue (-119.01871, 35.373244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 294 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $37.15 | $74.30 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $39.07 | $78.13 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $40.20 | $80.41 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $48.73 | $97.46 |
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.