How far is Big River, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Big River, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 336 miles (540.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 277.8 miles (447 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 12m 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 05h 36m.
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.
City in San Bernardino 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 Big River and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big River and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Koloko Court
74 m · 16 sec · Koloko Court
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2
Turn left onto Sierra Vista Road
1805 ft · 1 min · Sierra Vista Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Alamo Road
1719 ft · 1 min · Alamo Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Rio Mesa Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · Rio Mesa Drive
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Aqueduct Road
12.6 mi · 19 min · Aqueduct Road
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6
Turn sharp right onto Route 95
47.5 mi · 56 min · Route 95
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7
Take the exit left
1563 ft · 19 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Needles Freeway
143.9 mi · 2 hr 34 min · Needles Freeway
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9
Merge slight left onto Barstow and Mojave Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 58 West: Bakersfield
3260 ft · 1 min
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11
Continue on Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
34.8 mi · 40 min · Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
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12
Continue on Mojave-Barstow Highway
26.9 mi · 30 min · Mojave-Barstow Highway
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13
Continue on Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
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14
Continue on Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
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15
Continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
53.2 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Chester Avenue, H Street
1067 ft · 26 sec
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17
Continue on Richland Street
590 ft · 16 sec · Richland Street
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18
Turn right onto South Chester Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Chester Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Big River and Bakersfield.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Needles Freeway
Merge slight left onto Needles Freeway
144 mi · 02h 34m
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 River 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 River to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 336 miles (540.7 km) and usually takes 05h 36m 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?
Barstow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 167.8 miles from Big River and 168.1 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 277.8 miles (447 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:48 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $68.42 one way or $136.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 105.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Big River and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Barstow
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 Barstow.
Barstow Harvey House
Barstow (Bus), California
Victor Valley Transportation Center
Victorville, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Big River and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 277.73 mi (446.97 km).
#1 Big River
Unincorporated community in Mendocino County, California, United States
| Population | 1,327 |
| Coordinates | 34.1400200, -114.3613400 |
| Altitude | 134 |
| 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: 541 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $68.42 | $136.84 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $71.94 | $143.89 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $74.04 | $148.08 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $89.74 | $179.49 |
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.