How far is California City, CA from Shafter, CA?
The driving distance from California City, CA to Shafter, CA is about 87.5 miles (140.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77 miles (123.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 29m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between California City and Shafter.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between California City and Shafter.
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1
Start on California City Boulevard
15 m · 3 sec · California City Boulevard
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2
Continue on California City Boulevard
7.9 mi · 12 min · California City Boulevard
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3
Take the ramp left
1268 ft · 17 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Aerospace Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Aerospace Highway
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5
Take the exit right toward CA-58 West: Bakersfield
2450 ft · 60 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
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7
Continue on Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
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8
Continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
52.4 mi · 1 hr · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 204: Union Avenue
1161 ft · 30 sec
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10
Turn left onto East Brundage Lane
136 m · 22 sec · East Brundage Lane
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11
Turn right onto Union Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Union Avenue
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12
Continue on Golden State Avenue
3.4 mi · 4 min · Golden State Avenue
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13
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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14
Continue on Golden State Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Golden State Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Lerdo Highway
1338 ft · 35 sec
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16
Turn left onto Lerdo Highway
6.2 mi · 8 min · Lerdo Highway
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17
Turn right onto Central Valley Highway
129 m · 12 sec · Central Valley Highway
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18
Turn left onto Jackson Avenue
14 m · 2 sec · Jackson Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Jackson Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between California City and Shafter.
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
52.4 mi · 01h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving California City and Mostly Sunny near Shafter.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from California City to Shafter?
The road trip is about 87.5 miles (140.8 km) and usually takes 01h 29m 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?
Bear Valley Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.2 miles from California City and 44.3 miles from Shafter.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77 miles (123.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.5 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 3:32 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.83 one way or $35.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around California City and Mostly Sunny near Shafter.
Stop Ideas Near Bear Valley Springs
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 Bear Valley Springs.
Tehachapi, California
Bakersfield
Mojave, California
Lancaster, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between California City and Shafter. Straight-line distance: 76.98 mi (123.89 km).
#1 California City
City in Kern County, California
| Population | 14,198 |
| Coordinates | 35.1258000, -117.9859000 |
| Altitude | 733 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Shafter
City in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 20,739 |
| Coordinates | 35.5005100, -119.2717800 |
| Altitude | 106 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jackson Avenue (-119.271701, 35.500446)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 141 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $17.83 | $35.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $18.74 | $37.49 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $19.29 | $38.58 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $23.38 | $46.76 |
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.