How far is Valley Center, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Valley Center, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 222.5 miles (358 km), with a travel time of about 04h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 187.1 miles (301.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 12m 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 06m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Valley Center and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Valley Center and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Old Road
45 m · 12 sec · Old Road
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2
Turn left onto Valley Center Road
1687 ft · 39 sec · Valley Center Road
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3
Turn left onto Lilac Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Lilac Road
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4
Continue on Old Castle Road
5.5 mi · 10 min · Old Castle Road
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Champagne Boulevard
855 ft · 20 sec · Champagne Boulevard
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6
Turn left onto Gopher Canyon Road
100 m · 7 sec · Gopher Canyon Road
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7
Take the ramp right toward I 15 North
1619 ft · 39 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Avocado Highway
15.1 mi · 16 min · Avocado Highway
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9
Continue on Escondido Freeway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Escondido Freeway
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10
Continue on Temecula Valley Freeway
18.7 mi · 20 min · Temecula Valley Freeway
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11
Continue on Corona Freeway
9.6 mi · 10 min · Corona Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Corona Freeway
4.4 mi · 5 min · Corona Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 91: Beach Cities, Riverside
953 ft · 23 sec · Corona Freeway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Corona Freeway
1.3 km · 2 min · Corona Freeway
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15
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 5 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71 North: Ontario, Pomona
2014 ft · 31 sec
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17
Continue on Corona Freeway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Corona Freeway
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18
Continue on Chino Valley Freeway
12.7 mi · 15 min · Chino Valley Freeway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on CA 57 North
1.2 km · 2 min
-
20
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on I 210 West: Pasadena
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
22
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
18.3 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
-
23
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
25.6 mi · 30 min · Foothill Freeway
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24
Keep slight right
686 ft · 9 sec
-
25
Merge slight right
1.6 km · 1 min
-
26
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
-
27
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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28
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.3 mi · 28 min · Golden State Freeway
-
29
Take the exit slight right toward California Avenue
1301 ft · 36 sec
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30
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
-
31
Turn left onto Chester Avenue
1765 ft · 39 sec · Chester Avenue
-
32
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Valley Center 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.
Foothill Freeway
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 00h 42m
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 Valley Center and Sunny near Bakersfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Valley Center to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 222.5 miles (358 km) and usually takes 04h 06m 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 110.8 miles from Valley Center and 111.7 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 187.1 miles (301.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.4 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 8:48 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.29 one way or $90.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Valley Center and 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
Vernon City Hall
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 Valley Center and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 187.07 mi (301.06 km).
#1 Valley Center
City in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States of America
| Population | 9,277 |
| Coordinates | 33.2183700, -117.0342000 |
| Altitude | 400 |
| 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: 358 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $45.29 | $90.57 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $47.62 | $95.24 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $49.01 | $98.02 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $59.40 | $118.80 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.