How far is Forest Meadows, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Forest Meadows, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 245.3 miles (394.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 207.8 miles (334.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 55m 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 04h 27m.
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.
Chance Light Rain
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest Meadows and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Meadows and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Cedar Vista Drive
945 ft · 42 sec · Cedar Vista Drive
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2
Turn left onto Highway 4
11 mi · 16 min · Highway 4
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3
Turn left onto Vallecito Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Vallecito Road
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4
Turn sharp left onto South Main Street
9.8 mi · 15 min · South Main Street
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5
Turn right onto Rawhide Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Rawhide Road
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6
Continue on Rawhide Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Rawhide Road
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7
Turn right
2.6 mi · 4 min
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
32 m · 2 sec
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9
Exit the roundabout
3.7 mi · 5 min
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10
Continue straight
3.6 mi · 5 min
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11
Turn left onto La Grange Road
26.1 mi · 39 min · La Grange Road
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto Merced Falls Road
2230 ft · 38 sec · Merced Falls Road
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13
Continue on La Grange Road
118 m · 7 sec · La Grange Road
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14
Continue on 2nd Street
18 mi · 27 min · 2nd Street
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15
Turn right onto CA 59 South
43 m · 5 sec
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16
Turn right onto V Street
1216 ft · 25 sec · V Street
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17
Turn left onto West 13th Street
1919 ft · 34 sec · West 13th Street
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18
Take the ramp slight left toward CA 99 South
1237 ft · 30 sec
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19
Merge slight left
1736 ft · 23 sec
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20
Continue straight
55.5 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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21
Keep slight left
41 mi · 44 min
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway
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23
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Avenue
1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue
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25
Take the exit slight right
145 m · 13 sec
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26
Continue on Golden State Road
583 ft · 12 sec · Golden State Road
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27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chester Avenue
59 m · 4 sec · Chester Avenue
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28
Exit the roundabout onto Chester Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Chester Avenue
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29
Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue
37 m · 8 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest Meadows and Bakersfield.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Golden State Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 01h 03m
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving Forest Meadows 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 Forest Meadows to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 245.3 miles (394.8 km) and usually takes 04h 27m 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 122.6 miles from Forest Meadows and 122.8 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 207.8 miles (334.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:04 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.96 one way or $99.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Forest Meadows 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.
Madera
Fresno station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Hanford station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest Meadows and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 207.84 mi (334.48 km).
#1 Forest Meadows
Census-designated place in Calaveras County, California
| Population | 1,249 |
| Coordinates | 38.1685100, -120.4065900 |
| Altitude | 1028 |
| 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: 395 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $49.96 | $99.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $52.53 | $105.06 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $54.06 | $108.13 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $65.53 | $131.06 |
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.