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Trip from Bakersfield, CA to Davis, CA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 28m

Distance

289.7 mi

466 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$64

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 16m ★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 56m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 36m
3 PM
5h 40m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
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city and county seat of Kern County, California, United States

Bakersfield, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Yolo County, California, United States

Davis, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Bakersfield, CA to Davis, CA covers 289.7 miles and takes about 5h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Golden State Highway, Northbound California State Route 99, CA 99 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 113.1 miles on Golden State Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $64.22 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

144.9 miles from Bakersfield, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Golden State Highway 113.1 mi 2h 2m
Northbound California State Route 99 84.6 mi 1h 38m
CA 99 65.5 mi 1h 14m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 5.3 mi 6m
Golden State Freeway 5.2 mi 5m
Capital City Freeway 5 mi 5m
Yolo Causeway 3.9 mi 4m
Golden State Avenue 1.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Golden State Highway — 113.1 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield, CA and Davis, CA.

1

Start on Truxtun Avenue

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Truxtun Avenue
2

Continue on Truxtun Avenue

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Truxtun Avenue
3

Turn right onto Chester Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · Chester Avenue
4

Enter roundabout onto Golden State Road

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Golden State Road
5

Continue on Golden State Road

427 ft · 8 sec · Golden State Road
6

Take the ramp

395 ft · 10 sec
7

Merge onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS

1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto CA 99

5.2 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on CA 99

111 mi · 2 hr · Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 30 sec
Exit 144 Toward Avenue 7 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto CA 99

21 mi · 24 min · CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99

85 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Northbound California State Route 99
Toward CA 99 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on CA 99

1.8 mi · 2 min · Golden State Highway
14

Continue on CA 99

1.3 mi · 1 min · Old U.S. Route 99E
15

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

44 mi · 50 min · CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 33 sec
Toward US 50 West, US 50 East: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward US 50 West: San Francisco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on US 50

5.0 mi · 5 min · Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 80

3.9 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on I 80

5.3 mi · 6 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 72B Toward Richards Boulevard North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Turn slight right onto Richards Boulevard

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Richards Boulevard
23

Turn sharp right onto 1st Street

407 ft · 20 sec · 1st Street
24

Turn left onto F Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · F Street
25

Arrive at destination

F Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 144.9 miles from Bakersfield, CA, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.1 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 64 miles or 1h 10m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 144.9 miles or 2h 39m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Davis, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bakersfield, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Bakersfield, CA

This is one driving day of about 289.7 miles and 5h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Bakersfield, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Highway for about 113.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Winton, CA, CA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Winton, CA

145 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Tulare, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Madera, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 144.9 miles from Bakersfield, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Golden State Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

A&W Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tulare, California

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 1h 11m in 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv

Hours: 10 am–9:30 pm

+15596888990

Visit website

A&W Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv

Tulare, California

Hours: 10 am–9:30 pm

+15596888990

Visit website

Allora

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $100 or ab

Sacramento, California

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+19165386434

Visit website

Restaurant Santa Fe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Pixley, California

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+15597571960

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Merced, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Chowchilla, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Chowchilla, California

+18887800062

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Merced, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Chowchilla, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Davis, California

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15307528500

Visit website

Gallo Center for the Arts

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour

Modesto, California

+12093382100

Visit website

William Land Regional Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+19168086060

Visit website

Funderland Amusement Park

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+19164560131

Visit website

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 119.9 and 289 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
119.9 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in

Take the exit toward Avenue 7

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 144 Toward Avenue 7
7
141.8 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99 toward CA 99

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward CA 99
7
273.5 mi into trip | ~5h 8m in

Take the exit toward US 50 West, US 50 East: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 50 West, US 50 East: San Francisco, S...
7
274 mi into trip | ~5h 9m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 West: San Francisco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 50 West: San Francisco
7
289 mi into trip | ~5h 26m in

Take the exit toward Richards Boulevard North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 72B Toward Richards Boulevard North

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$64.22 one way

$128.45 round trip

$5.63/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.81 $66.28 $132.55
premium $5.98 $68.24 $136.48
diesel $5.60 $63.86 $127.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$64

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$89–$114

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 101.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 86.9 1 $30.42 $13.91
Efficient EV 72.4 0 $25.35 $11.59
EV Truck/SUV 115.9 1 $40.56 $18.54

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 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 Sep 3, 2026

Origin

Bakersfield, CA

Morning in Bakersfield on Friday

Local time

6:16 AM

PDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Davis, CA

Morning in Davis on Friday

Local time

6:16 AM

PDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

8 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 28m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

289.7 mi in 5h 28m — 56% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: Golden State Highway.

56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.1 mi on Golden State Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 119.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 289.7 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 119.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.8 miles (CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 273.5 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

411 ft 28 ft

Total Climb

92 ft

Total Descent

445 ft

Highest Point

411 ft

~20.7 mi in

Elevation Range

383 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Bakersfield, CA and Davis, CA, road signs point toward Avenue 7 and Lake Tahoe.

Avenue 7

119.9 mi in | ~2h 11m

Lake Tahoe

273.5 mi in | ~5h 8m

About the Cities

Starting in Bakersfield, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1869

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."

Arriving in Davis, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1868

Davis is in Yolo County in the Sacramento Valley of California. Davis is best known for the university located there, the University of California Davis.

Top landmarks

  • • Davis station — railway station in Davis, California
  • • Bohart Museum of Entomology — museum operated by the University of California, in Davis, California, United St...
  • • George Hart Hall — university building in Davis, California, United States

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 289.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 113.1 miles on Golden State Highway. 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 Davis, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 119.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.8 miles (CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 273.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Davis, CA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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