Alturas to Bakersfield is 576 miles and takes about 10 hours 58 minutes via CA 99 and Route 395, with a fuel budget near $138 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive spans from the Pacific Coast region to the same region, covering a significant portion of California. Given its length, it's best tackled over two days to avoid excessive fatigue. Expect a mix of highway speeds and potentially more varied road conditions as you traverse the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
288 miles from Alturas, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 99
150.3 mi
2h 49m
Route 395
144.5 mi
2h 45m
Alan S. Hart Freeway
101.9 mi
1h 57m
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi
1h 2m
South Sacramento Freeway
56.8 mi
1h 5m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
21.6 mi
24m
Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
15.6 mi
17m
Capital City Freeway
9 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 150.3 mi, about 2h 49m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 103 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,529 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~248 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alturas, CA and Bakersfield, CA.
1
Start on North Howard Street
74 ft·5 sec·North Howard Street
2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
277 ft·9 sec·West 4th Street
3
Turn right onto US 395
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
4
Continue on US 395
89 mi·1 hr 41 min·Route 395
5
Turn left onto CR A3
8.5 mi·12 min·Standish Buntingville Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 395
55 mi·1 hr 3 min·Route 395
7
Continue on US 395
16 mi·17 min·Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·10 sec
Exit 68Toward I 80: Sparks, Elko, Reno, Sacramento
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 80: Reno, Sacramento
10
Merge onto I 80
15 mi·16 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Continue on I 80
102 mi·1 hr 57 min·Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 80
7.1 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
4.9 mi·5 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 95Toward I 80 Business West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business
3.7 mi·4 min·Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Capital City Freeway
0.3 mi·20 sec·Capital City Freeway
Toward CA 99 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on South Sacramento Freeway
57 mi·1 hr 5 min·South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
109 mi·2 hr 5 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi·44 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS
1.9 mi·2 min·Golden State Avenue
Exit 27Toward CA 204 South: Golden State AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
475 ft·13 sec
23
Continue on Golden State Road
0.1 mi·11 sec·Golden State Road
24
Enter roundabout onto Chester Avenue
193 ft·3 sec·Chester Avenue
25
Continue on Chester Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Chester Avenue
26
Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue
122 ft·7 sec·Truxtun Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Truxtun Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 10-hour, 576-mile drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended to ensure safety and enjoyment. Consider departing early on your first day to cover roughly half the distance, perhaps aiming for a stop around the central part of the state. This allows for a more relaxed second day, arriving in Bakersfield with plenty of time. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a significant break is over 150 miles on CA 99. Plan your stops in advance to coincide with available services.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 288 miles from Alturas, CA, or about 5h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.3 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 127 miles or 2h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 288 miles or 5h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 288 miles or 5h 34m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bakersfield, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alturas, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alturas, CA
Aim for roughly 288 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Bakersfield, CA
Aim for roughly 288 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 127 miles from Alturas, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on CA 99 for about 150.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 169.1 and 572.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
169.1 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 80: Sparks, Elko, Reno, Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 68
Toward I 80: Sparks, Elko, Reno, Sacramento
6
169.3 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80: Reno, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80: Reno, Sacramento
8
293.2 mi into trip|~5h 40m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 95
Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
7
301.8 mi into trip|~5h 50m in|Capital City Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Capital City Freeway toward CA 99 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South
8
572.9 mi into trip|~10h 53m in|CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Golden State Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Golden State Avenue toward CA 204 South: Golden State Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward CA 204 South: Golden State Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$120.51 one way
$241.01 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg202 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$125.16
$250.31
premium
$5.67
$128.47
$256.93
diesel
$4.80
$108.76
$217.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$121
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$251–$361
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 201.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
172.8
2
$60.48
$27.65
Efficient EV
144
1
$50.40
$23.04
EV Truck/SUV
230.4
2
$80.64
$36.86
Gas CO2
202 kg
EV CO2
67 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Alturas, CA
Night
in Alturas on Saturday
Local time
11:59 PM
PDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
WSW 9 to 16 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Bakersfield, CA
Night
in Bakersfield on Saturday
Local time
11:59 PM
PDT
Current temp
102°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 58m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
César E. Chávez National Monument
National Monument
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 576
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 81% of it on major roads like CA 99 and Route 395. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 150.3 miles on CA 99, offering a solid period of consistent cruising. You'll experience sections with dense exits and merges, especially as you approach and pass through populated areas, contrasted with more open rural stretches.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.3 mi on CA 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Route 395. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 169.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 576 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 169.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 293.2 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,107 ft62 ft
Total Climb
3,234 ft
Total Descent
7,202 ft
Highest Point
6,107 ft
~205.7 mi in
Elevation Range
6,045 ft
Notable High Points
5,294 ft at ~41.1 miles+923 ft prominence
6,107 ft at ~205.7 miles+936 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alturas, CA and Bakersfield, CA, road signs point toward Elko, Reno and Sacramento.
Bakersfield is a city in Kern County in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Bakersfield is famous for being the home of country music singers Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, and has the nickname "the country music capital of the West Coast."
The longest stretch is about 150.3 miles on CA 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 288 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 28 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Bakersfield, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 3 meaningful breaks. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 169.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 293.2 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.0 hours each way, a round trip means 21.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bakersfield, CA before the return drive.
