How far is Joshua Tree, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Joshua Tree, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 212.2 miles (341.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 175.8 miles (282.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 23m 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 03h 41m.
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 Joshua Tree and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joshua Tree and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on El Reposo Circle
27 m · 11 sec · El Reposo Circle
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2
Turn left onto 29 Palms Highway
3.3 mi · 5 min · 29 Palms Highway
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3
Turn right onto Yucca Mesa Road
2 mi · 3 min · Yucca Mesa Road
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4
Turn left onto Buena Vista Drive
3 mi · 4 min · Buena Vista Drive
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5
Turn right onto Old Woman Springs Road
41.8 mi · 52 min · Old Woman Springs Road
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6
Continue straight
23.1 mi · 33 min
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7
Continue on National Old Trails Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · National Old Trails Highway
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8
Turn left onto Air Expressway
5.3 mi · 7 min · Air Expressway
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9
Turn right onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
30.3 mi · 36 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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10
Turn left onto CA 58 West: Mojave
2667 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
4.8 mi · 5 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 Joshua Tree 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 Joshua Tree 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 Joshua Tree to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 212.2 miles (341.5 km) and usually takes 03h 41m 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 103.2 miles from Joshua Tree and 109 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 175.8 miles (282.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.4 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 9:36 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.21 one way or $86.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joshua Tree 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 Joshua Tree and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 175.81 mi (282.94 km).
#1 Joshua Tree
National park of the United States
| Population | 7,414 |
| Coordinates | 34.1347300, -116.3130700 |
| Altitude | 834 |
| 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: 342 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $43.21 | $86.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $45.43 | $90.87 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $46.76 | $93.52 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $56.68 | $113.35 |
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.