How far is Needles, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Needles, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 273 miles (439.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 251.5 miles (404.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 57m 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 28m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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 Needles and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Needles and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on West Broadway Street
43 m · 9 sec · West Broadway Street
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2
Turn left onto Needles Highway
1.1 mi · 3 min · Needles Highway
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3
Take the ramp left toward I 40 West
979 ft · 12 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Needles Freeway
141.2 mi · 2 hr 31 min · Needles Freeway
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5
Merge slight left onto Barstow and Mojave Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 58 West: Bakersfield
3260 ft · 1 min
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7
Continue on Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
34.8 mi · 40 min · Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
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8
Continue on Mojave-Barstow Highway
26.9 mi · 30 min · Mojave-Barstow Highway
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9
Continue on Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
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10
Continue on Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
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11
Continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
53.2 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Chester Avenue, H Street
1067 ft · 26 sec
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13
Continue on Richland Street
590 ft · 16 sec · Richland Street
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14
Turn right onto South Chester Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Chester Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Needles 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.
Needles Freeway
Merge slight left onto Needles Freeway
141 mi · 02h 31m
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 Needles 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 Needles to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 273 miles (439.3 km) and usually takes 04h 28m 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 135.8 miles from Needles and 137.1 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 251.5 miles (404.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.5 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 8:02 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $55.56 one way or $111.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Needles 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 Needles and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 251.56 mi (404.85 km).
#1 Needles
City in San Bernardino County, California, United States
| Population | 4,942 |
| Coordinates | 34.8480600, -114.6141300 |
| Altitude | 151 |
| 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: 439 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $55.56 | $111.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $58.42 | $116.83 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $60.12 | $120.24 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $72.87 | $145.74 |
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.