How far is Thousand Palms, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Thousand Palms, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 224 miles (360.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 184 miles (296.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 05m 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 02m.
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.
The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
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 Thousand Palms and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thousand Palms and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Arbol Real Avenue
1288 ft · 44 sec · Arbol Real Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Ramon Road
689 ft · 24 sec · Ramon Road
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3
Turn right onto Monterey Avenue
3235 ft · 54 sec · Monterey Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I-10: WEST
2232 ft · 27 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
19.3 mi · 21 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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6
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
39.9 mi · 44 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
13.9 mi · 16 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9.3 mi · 10 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
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9
Merge slight right onto San Bernardino Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.4 km · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.3 km · 55 sec · San Bernardino Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57: Santa Ana
1086 ft · 27 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on CA 57 North
2267 ft · 55 sec
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16
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 210 West: Pasadena
1.1 mi · 2 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
18.3 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
25.6 mi · 30 min · Foothill Freeway
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20
Keep slight right
686 ft · 9 sec
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21
Merge slight right
1.6 km · 1 min
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22
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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24
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.3 mi · 28 min · Golden State Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward California Avenue
1301 ft · 36 sec
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26
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
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27
Turn left onto Chester Avenue
1765 ft · 41 sec · Chester Avenue
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28
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thousand Palms 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Thousand Palms 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 Thousand Palms to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 224 miles (360.5 km) and usually takes 04h 02m 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?
Pasadena is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.7 miles from Thousand Palms and 111.3 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 184 miles (296.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 40 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 8:54 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.58 one way or $91.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Thousand Palms and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Pasadena
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Manor Hotel
City of South El Monte City Hall
City of Los Angeles
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pasadena.
Pasadena, California
Glendale Transportation Center
Los Angeles Union Station
La Crescenta, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thousand Palms and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 184.01 mi (296.14 km).
#1 Thousand Palms
Town
| Population | 7,715 |
| Coordinates | 33.8200200, -116.3902900 |
| Altitude | 75 |
| 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: 361 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $45.58 | $91.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $47.92 | $95.84 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $49.32 | $98.64 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $59.78 | $119.56 |
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.