How far is Salton City, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Salton City, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 272.6 miles (438.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226 miles (363.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 43m 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 51m.
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 California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salton City and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salton City and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Shore Gem Avenue
676 ft · 31 sec · Shore Gem Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Marlin Drive
2824 ft · 1 min · Marlin Drive
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Harbor Drive
2223 ft · 1 min · Harbor Drive
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Marina Drive
27 m · 4 sec · Marina Drive
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5
Turn right onto Harbor Drive
1577 ft · 43 sec · Harbor Drive
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6
Continue on Azure Avenue
1575 ft · 49 sec · Azure Avenue
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7
Turn left onto Sunrise Drive
107 m · 14 sec · Sunrise Drive
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8
Turn right onto Highway 86
1.5 mi · 2 min · Highway 86
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9
Continue straight
32.5 mi · 38 min
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10
Merge slight right onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.6 mi · 35 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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11
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
39.9 mi · 44 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
13.9 mi · 16 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9.3 mi · 10 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
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14
Merge slight right onto San Bernardino Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.4 km · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.3 km · 55 sec · San Bernardino Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57: Santa Ana
1086 ft · 27 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on CA 57 North
2267 ft · 55 sec
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21
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
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22
Keep slight left to continue on I 210 West: Pasadena
1.1 mi · 2 min
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23
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
18.3 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
25.6 mi · 30 min · Foothill Freeway
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25
Keep slight right
686 ft · 9 sec
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26
Merge slight right
1.6 km · 1 min
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27
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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28
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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29
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.3 mi · 28 min · Golden State Freeway
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30
Take the exit slight right toward California Avenue
1301 ft · 36 sec
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31
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
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32
Turn left onto Chester Avenue
1765 ft · 39 sec · Chester Avenue
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33
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salton City 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.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
39.9 mi · 00h 44m
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.
Sunny leaving Salton City 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 Salton City to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 272.6 miles (438.7 km) and usually takes 04h 51m 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?
La Verne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136.6 miles from Salton City and 136 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226 miles (363.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.6 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 7:16 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $55.50 one way or $111.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salton City and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near La Verne
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Your Home Away From Home
Embassy Suites by Hilton Brea North Orange County
Chino City Hall
Cucamonga Sign Shop LLC
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to La Verne.
Pomona station
Claremont, California
Ontario
Fullerton Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salton City and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 225.98 mi (363.68 km).
#1 Salton City
Census-designated place in Imperial County, California
| Population | 3,763 |
| Coordinates | 33.2986500, -115.9561100 |
| Altitude | -38 |
| 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 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 48m |
| 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 | $55.50 | $111.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $58.35 | $116.71 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $60.06 | $120.12 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $72.79 | $145.59 |
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.