Origin
Bakersfield, CA
Late night in Bakersfield on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bakersfield, CA to La Quinta, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 37m
Distance
238.9 mi
384 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 24m
★
6 AM
4h 38m
8 AM
5h 5m
10 AM
4h 47m
12 PM
4h 45m
3 PM
4h 49m
5 PM
5h 3m
8 PM
4h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bakersfield, CA
Wikimedia Commons
La Quinta, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bakersfield to La Quinta is 238.9 miles and takes about 4h 37m via Golden State Freeway, Foothill Freeway, and Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California, moving from the Pacific Coast region to the same region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive, making it a solid choice for a single-day journey. Given the relatively short duration, you'll likely have plenty of time to reach your destination without feeling rushed, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
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
119.4 miles from Bakersfield, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 84.9 mi | 1h 36m |
| Foothill Freeway | 44 mi | 50m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 40.3 mi | 44m |
| Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway | 25.2 mi | 26m |
| San Bernardino Freeway | 20.1 mi | 23m |
| I-10 Metro ExpressLanes | 9 mi | 9m |
| Washington Street | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| Orange Freeway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield, CA and La Quinta, CA.
1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Truxtun Avenue
2
Turn right onto L Street
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
L Street
3
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
California Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward CA 99 South
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto CA 99
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 161A
Toward I 210 East: Pasadena
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 210
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
Foothill Freeway
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 44A
Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on CA 57
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 22A; 22B
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 22B
Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San Bernardino
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 10
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 10
14 mi
·
16 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Continue on I 10
40 mi
·
44 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Toward Redlands, Palm Springs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
25 mi
·
26 min
·
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 137
Toward Washington Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto Washington Street
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Washington Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn right onto Eisenhower Drive
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Eisenhower Drive
Use the right lane.
25
Enter roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
80 ft
·
2 sec
·
Eisenhower Drive
26
Continue on Eisenhower Drive
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Eisenhower Drive
27
Enter roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
98 ft
·
3 sec
·
Eisenhower Drive
28
Continue on Eisenhower Drive
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Eisenhower Drive
29
Enter roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
97 ft
·
2 sec
·
Eisenhower Drive
30
Continue on Eisenhower Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Eisenhower Drive
31
Turn right onto Calle Chihuahua
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Calle Chihuahua
32
Arrive at destination
Calle Chihuahua
Trip Plan
Consider an early morning departure from Bakersfield to make the most of your single day on the road. The 4h 37m drive time means you can comfortably complete this trip before evening, but starting early allows for a more relaxed pace. Since it's a relatively short trip with one recommended stop, you won't need to plan for extensive breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 84.9-mile stretch on the Golden State Freeway, as services might be less frequent in certain sections.
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 119.4 miles from Bakersfield, CA, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.9 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.4 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Quinta, 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 238.9 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 Freeway for about 84.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.4 miles from Bakersfield, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Golden State Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 87 and 135.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
87 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 210 East: Pasadena
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 161A
Toward I 210 East: Pasadena
8
111.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino,...
7
131.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 44A
Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
8
135.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
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.
Exit 22A; 22B
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: San Bernardino, Lo...
9
135.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San Bernardino
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 22B
Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San B...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.91 one way
$109.82 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $56.58 | $113.17 |
| premium | $6.18 | $58.10 | $116.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.75 | $105.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.7 | 0 | $25.08 | $11.47 |
| Efficient EV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.90 | $9.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.6 | 1 | $33.45 | $15.29 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 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.
Destination
La Quinta, CA
Late night in La Quinta on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
PDT
Current temp
79°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
2 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
4h 37m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 82.4
View on nps.gov
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 16.5
View on nps.gov
Joshua Tree National Park
National Park
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
$30
near mile 230.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily a highway-focused experience, with 78% of the route utilizing major freeways like the Golden State Freeway and Foothill Freeway. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 84.9 miles on the Golden State Freeway, so be prepared for a significant period of consistent driving. The Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway also contributes to the freeway feel. Expect a steady pace for most of the journey, characteristic of a modern interstate drive designed for efficiency.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.9 mi on Golden State Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 87 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 25 significant decision points across 238.9 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 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.7 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 La Quinta, CA, road signs point toward Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Redlands and Palm Springs.
Ventura
111.7 mi in
|
~2h 8m
|
via I 210
Los Angeles
135.5 mi in
|
~2h 37m
San Bernardino
135.7 mi in
|
~2h 37m
Redlands
165.5 mi in
|
~3h 11m
|
via I 10
Palm Springs
165.5 mi in
|
~3h 11m
|
via I 10
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 La Quinta, CA
Full guide →La Quinta is a city in Riverside County in Southern California. It is a desert resort city about 30 minutes southeast of Palm Springs. La Quinta is one of the nation's leading golf destinations, having 28 golf courses within the city limits. Tourism is centered primarily on golf, hiking in the surrounding mountains, relaxing at the historic La Quinta Resort, and shopping and dining in the Village.
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 4h 37m. Total distance: 238.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.9 miles on Golden State Freeway. 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 La Quinta, 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 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.7 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, César E. Chávez National Monument and Joshua Tree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at La Quinta, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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