How far is Taft, CA from Ricardo, CA?
The driving distance from Taft, CA to Ricardo, CA is about 110.5 miles (177.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 84.3 miles (135.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 46m 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 02h 23m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Taft and Ricardo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Taft and Ricardo.
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1
Start on 4th Street
32 m · 7 sec · 4th Street
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2
Turn right onto Kern Street
934 ft · 25 sec · Kern Street
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3
Turn right onto 6th Street
3186 ft · 1 min · 6th Street
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4
Continue on Harrison Street
1 mi · 2 min · Harrison Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Taft Highway
14.4 mi · 20 min · Taft Highway
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward SR 119/SR43 Taft Hwy Roundabout
49 m · 3 sec · Taft Highway
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7
Exit the rotary onto Taft Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Taft Highway
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8
Take the ramp right
1724 ft · 42 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
4.8 mi · 5 min · Westside Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 223: Bear Mountain Boulevard, Arvin
1364 ft · 41 sec
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11
Turn left onto Bear Mountain Boulevard
14.2 mi · 19 min · Bear Mountain Boulevard
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bear Mountain Boulevard
36 m · 2 sec · Bear Mountain Boulevard
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Bear Mountain Boulevard
16 mi · 23 min · Bear Mountain Boulevard
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14
Turn right onto Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
32.3 mi · 37 min · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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15
Continue on Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward CA 14: Bishop, Mojave
2375 ft · 56 sec
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17
Merge slight right onto Aerospace Highway
17.1 mi · 20 min · Aerospace Highway
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18
Continue on Midland Trail
4.3 mi · 5 min · Midland Trail
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19
Turn left onto Abbott Drive
1.2 km · 3 min · Abbott Drive
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Abbott Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Taft 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
Turn right onto Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
32.3 mi · 00h 37m
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 Taft 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 Taft to Ricardo?
The road trip is about 110.5 miles (177.9 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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 55.2 miles from Taft and 55.3 miles from Ricardo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 84.3 miles (135.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.2 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 1:44 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.50 one way or $45.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Taft 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 Taft and Ricardo. Straight-line distance: 84.31 mi (135.68 km).
#1 Taft
City in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 8,488 |
| Coordinates | 35.1424700, -119.4565100 |
| Altitude | 291 |
| 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: 178 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $22.50 | $45.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $23.66 | $47.31 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $24.35 | $48.70 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $29.51 | $59.02 |
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.