How far is Shafter, CA from Ricardo, CA?
The driving distance from Shafter, CA to Ricardo, CA is about 99.5 miles (160.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 72.7 miles (117 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 56m 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 58m.
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.
Census-designated place in 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 Shafter and Ricardo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shafter and Ricardo.
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1
Start on Jackson Avenue
14 m · 4 sec · Jackson Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Central Valley Highway
129 m · 10 sec · Central Valley Highway
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3
Turn left onto East Lerdo Highway
6 mi · 8 min · East Lerdo Highway
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4
Take the ramp right toward CA 99 South
1447 ft · 35 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Golden State Highway
3.9 mi · 4 min · Golden State Highway
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6
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 58 East: Stockdale, Mojave, Tehachapi
671 ft · 9 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on CA 58 East: Mojave, Tehachapi
3110 ft · 41 sec
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10
Continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
1711 ft · 22 sec · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
55 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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12
Continue on Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 14: Bishop, Mojave
2375 ft · 56 sec
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14
Merge slight right onto Aerospace Highway
17.1 mi · 20 min · Aerospace Highway
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15
Continue on Midland Trail
4.3 mi · 5 min · Midland Trail
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16
Turn left onto Abbott Drive
1.2 km · 3 min · Abbott Drive
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Abbott Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shafter and Ricardo.
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
Keep slight left to continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
55 mi · 01h 03m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Shafter and Mostly Sunny near Ricardo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Shafter to Ricardo?
The road trip is about 99.5 miles (160.2 km) and usually takes 01h 58m 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?
Bear Valley Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.8 miles from Shafter and 49.8 miles from Ricardo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 72.7 miles (117 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.8 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 2:34 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.25 one way or $40.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Shafter and Mostly Sunny near Ricardo.
Stop Ideas Near Bear Valley Springs
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 Bear Valley Springs.
Tehachapi, California
Bakersfield
Mojave, California
Lancaster, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shafter and Ricardo. Straight-line distance: 72.73 mi (117.04 km).
#1 Shafter
City in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 20,739 |
| Coordinates | 35.5005100, -119.2717800 |
| Altitude | 106 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ricardo
Ricardo is a place in California, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.3738500, -117.9892400 |
| Altitude | 785 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ricardo (-117.98924, 35.37385)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 160 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $20.25 | $40.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $21.29 | $42.58 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $21.91 | $43.83 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $26.56 | $53.12 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.