How far is California City, CA from Wasco, CA?

The driving distance from California City, CA to Wasco, CA is about 97 miles (156.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 83 miles (133.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 19m 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
96.99 mi
01h 39m
Flight
82.93 mi
133.46 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from California City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
82.93 mi
Kilometers
133.46 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
96.99 mi
Kilometers
156.09 km
Drive Time
01h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wasco
Thu, Apr 23, 11:17 AM PDT
Return by in California City
Thu, Apr 23, 12:57 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave California City
2026-04-23T09:38
Arrive Wasco
Thu, Apr 23, 11:17 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:40 AM to 11:40 AM PDT

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

Leave by
3:10 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in California City
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Arvin
CA

City in Kern County, California, United States

From California City
48 mi
00h 49m
To Wasco
49 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph W
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between California City and Wasco.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between California City and Wasco.

  1. 1

    Start on California City Boulevard

    15 m · 3 sec · California City Boulevard

  2. 2

    Continue on California City Boulevard

    7.9 mi · 12 min · California City Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left

    1268 ft · 17 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Aerospace Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Aerospace Highway

  5. 5

    Take the exit right toward CA-58 West: Bakersfield

    2450 ft · 60 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Barstow–Bakersfield Highway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway

    1.2 km · 51 sec · Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway

    52.4 mi · 1 hr · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 204: Union Avenue

    1161 ft · 30 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto East Brundage Lane

    136 m · 22 sec · East Brundage Lane

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Union Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Union Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Golden State Avenue

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Golden State Avenue

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway

    5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway

  14. 14

    Continue on Golden State Highway

    11.7 mi · 12 min · Golden State Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 46 West: Wasco, Paso Robles

    539 ft · 13 sec

  16. 16

    Continue on Paso Robles Highway

    757 ft · 13 sec · Paso Robles Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Paso Robles Highway

    7.4 mi · 9 min · Paso Robles Highway

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Griffith Avenue

    2645 ft · 55 sec · Griffith Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 7th Street

    51 m · 5 sec · 7th Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between California City and Wasco.

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
20 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
52.4 mi · 54%
Golden State Highway
11.7 mi · 12%
California City Boulevard
8.18 mi · 8%
Paso Robles Highway
7.5 mi · 8%
Golden State Freeway
5.16 mi · 5%
Golden State Avenue
3.36 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
01h 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14 mi
83 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Arvin
00h 49m from California City
Leave By
3:10 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving California City and Mostly Sunny near Wasco.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from California City to Wasco?

The road trip is about 97 miles (156.1 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?

Arvin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48 miles from California City and 49 miles from Wasco.

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

The direct path is about 83 miles (133.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 14 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 3:10 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.73 one way or $39.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around California City and Mostly Sunny near Wasco.

Stop Ideas Near Arvin

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

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

RAIL

Bakersfield

25 mi away
601 Truxtun Ave
BUS

Tehachapi, California

35 mi away
Westside of Mullbery Street
BUS

Mojave, California

62 mi away
15900 Sierra Highway
RAIL

Wasco station

63 mi away
700 G Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between California City and Wasco. Straight-line distance: 82.93 mi (133.46 km).

California City

#1 California City

City in Kern County, California

Population14,198
Coordinates35.1258000, -117.9859000
Altitude733
CountryUnited States
Wasco

#2 Wasco

City in California

Population28,734
Coordinates35.5941200, -119.3409500
Altitude100
CountryUnited States
Start: California City Boulevard (-117.985901, 35.125738)
End: 7th Street (-119.340949, 35.59428)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 156 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.42 gal
12.96 L · about $19.73
Round trip
$39.46
6.84 gal · 25.92 L
Estimated CO2
30.4 kg one way
Round trip: 60.8 kg / 134 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $19.73 $39.46
Mid-grade $6.07 $20.75 $41.49
Premium $6.24 $21.35 $42.70
Diesel $7.57 $25.88 $51.76

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

There is no time difference between California City and Wasco. The current time is 09:38:18.

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.