How far is Searles, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Searles, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 100.8 miles (162.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.2 miles (125.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 59m 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 59m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Searles and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Searles and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Searles Station Road
2.6 mi · 10 min · Searles Station Road
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2
Turn right onto Trona Road
9 mi · 16 min · Trona Road
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3
Turn sharp right onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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4
Turn left onto Redrock Randsburg Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Redrock Randsburg Road
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5
Continue on Redrock Randsburg Road
20.6 mi · 28 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 Searles 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 Searles and Sunny near Bakersfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Searles to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 100.8 miles (162.3 km) and usually takes 01h 59m 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 55.4 miles from Searles and 45.5 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.2 miles (125.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:30 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.29 one way or $44.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Searles and 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 Searles and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 78.26 mi (125.94 km).
#1 Searles
Situated in the Mojave Desert at an elevation of 3,245 feet, this Kern County community lies within the arid Searles Valley.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.4838500, -117.6353400 |
| Altitude | 989 |
| 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: 162 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $22.29 | $44.58 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $23.14 | $46.27 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $23.81 | $47.63 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $29.95 | $59.90 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026