How far is Ridgecrest, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Ridgecrest, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.7 miles (125.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 52m 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 56m.
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.
Desert in southwestern United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ridgecrest and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgecrest and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on West Ridgecrest Boulevard
82 m · 13 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto South China Lake Boulevard
6 mi · 9 min · South China Lake Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
9.9 mi · 11 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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4
Turn right onto Garlock Road
8.4 mi · 12 min · Garlock Road
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5
Continue on Redrock Randsburg Road
12.1 mi · 17 min · Redrock Randsburg Road
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6
Continue on Midland Trail
1743 ft · 23 sec · Midland Trail
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7
Continue on Aerospace Highway
16.9 mi · 20 min · Aerospace Highway
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8
Take the exit right toward CA-58 West: Bakersfield
2450 ft · 60 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
2.3 mi · 3 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 Ridgecrest 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 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 Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km) and usually takes 01h 56m 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?
Mojave is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56 miles from Ridgecrest and 58.2 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77.7 miles (125.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.5 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 2:38 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.25 one way or $46.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ridgecrest and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Mojave
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 Mojave.
Mojave, California
Tehachapi, California
Lancaster, California
Palmdale (Amtrak Thruway), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ridgecrest and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 77.75 mi (125.12 km).
#1 Ridgecrest
City in California
| Population | 29,135 |
| Coordinates | 35.6224600, -117.6709000 |
| Altitude | 698 |
| 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: 184 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $23.25 | $46.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $24.45 | $48.89 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $25.16 | $50.32 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $30.50 | $60.99 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.