Anderson to Bakersfield is 426.1 miles and takes about 7h 53m via CA 99, with a fuel budget near $97 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route connects two points within California's Pacific Coast region, primarily following the CA 99 corridor. You'll be on a mostly highway profile for the bulk of the drive. Given the 7-hour estimated time, it's a feasible one-day trip, but planning your stops will be key to enjoying it. Be prepared for a significant stretch of driving on a single main highway.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
213 miles from Anderson, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 99
150.3 mi
2h 49m
Westside Freeway
127.4 mi
2h 17m
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi
1h 2m
South Sacramento Freeway
56.4 mi
1h 5m
Cascade Wonderland Highway
20.2 mi
21m
Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi
5m
Golden State Avenue
1.9 mi
2m
CA 273
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 150.3 mi, about 2h 49m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 122 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,106 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,447
Quietest
2 AM
~226 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 39 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 Anderson, CA and Bakersfield, CA.
1
Start on CA 273; US 99 Hist
58 ft·9 sec·CA 273; US 99 Hist
2
Continue on CA 273; US 99 Hist
1.7 mi·2 min·CA 273; US 99 Hist
3
Merge onto I 5
20 mi·21 min·Cascade Wonderland Highway
4
Continue on I 5
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Westside Freeway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi·16 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
19 mi·21 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 518Toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San FranciscoUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Exit 518Toward US 50 East: Fresno
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 518Toward US 50 East: Fresno
10
Merge onto US 50; I 80 Business
1.2 mi·1 min·Capital City Freeway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
0.3 mi·18 sec·Capital City Freeway
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, FresnoUse the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·34 sec
Toward CA 99 South: FresnoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto CA 99
56 mi·1 hr 5 min·South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
109 mi·2 hr 5 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi·44 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Take the exit
475 ft·13 sec
20
Continue on Golden State Road
0.1 mi·11 sec·Golden State Road
21
Enter roundabout onto Chester Avenue
193 ft·3 sec·Chester Avenue
22
Continue on Chester Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Chester Avenue
23
Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue
122 ft·7 sec·Truxtun Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Truxtun Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, leaving Anderson in the morning, around 8 or 9 AM, should allow you to reach Bakersfield before dark. With 2 recommended stops, you can break up the 426.1 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch on CA 99 is over 150 miles, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches where services might be less frequent. This is a drive that can easily be completed in one day, offering flexibility in your timing.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 213 miles from Anderson, CA, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 94 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 213 miles or 3h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 48m
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 Anderson, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anderson, CA
This is one driving day of about 426.1 miles and 7h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 miles from Anderson, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 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 115 and 423 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
115 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
130.7 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
149.3 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 518
Toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
8
151.8 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, Fresno
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, F...
8
423 mi into trip|~7h 49m 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
$89.15 one way
$178.29 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg149 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$92.58
$185.17
premium
$5.67
$95.03
$190.07
diesel
$4.80
$80.46
$160.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$89
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$114–$139
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 149.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
127.8
1
$44.74
$20.45
Efficient EV
106.5
1
$37.28
$17.04
EV Truck/SUV
170.4
2
$59.65
$27.27
Gas CO2
149 kg
EV CO2
50 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Anderson, CA
Late night
in Anderson on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Clear
WNW 1 to 6 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
Late night
in Bakersfield on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
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.
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
37 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
7h 53m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear waters are iconic, but this 42,000-acre National Recreation Area offers much more. Explore waterfalls, hike rugged trails, uncover Gold Rush history, and witness the r...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
$15
Caution: Public Health Advisory for Upper Clear Creek above Whiskeytown Lake
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 426.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 80% of the 426.1 miles on main roads like CA 99. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 150.3 miles on CA 99, meaning you can cover substantial ground without frequent turns or exits. After the highway portion, you'll transition to surface roads for the remaining miles. Expect to notice the consistent flow of traffic and numerous agricultural areas as you cruise through the Central Valley.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Westside Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 115 miles in near I 5 / Westside Freeway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 426.1 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 115 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.7 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
435 ft27 ft
Total Climb
417 ft
Total Descent
448 ft
Highest Point
435 ft
Elevation Range
408 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Anderson, CA and Bakersfield, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco and Fresno.
Anderson, in Shasta County in California, is named after Elias Anderson, who granted the Oregon and California Railroad trackage rights and land for a station. Today, the city has a population of 9,000, and is about 10 miles from Redding.
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."
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 53m. Total distance: 426.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 53m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 150.3 miles on CA 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 115 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.7 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.8 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.
