Traveling from Bakersfield to Ladera Heights covers approximately 114 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes. Because this is a straightforward highway-focused drive within the Pacific Coast region, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You should budget roughly $26 for fuel to complete the journey. With 96% of your time spent on major thoroughfares, the route is designed for efficiency rather than leisure. Whether you are heading south for business or visiting family, this direct path allows you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57 miles from Bakersfield, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Golden State Freeway
87 mi
1h 38m
I 405 Truck
22.7 mi
26m
California Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
West Slauson Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
L Street
0.3 mi
<1m
I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
<1m
Shenandoah Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Jefferson Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 87 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield, CA and Ladera Heights, 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 SouthUse 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
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 50AToward Jefferson BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto Jefferson Boulevard
0.2 mi·25 sec·Jefferson Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto West Slauson Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·West Slauson Avenue
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto Shenandoah Avenue
0.2 mi·50 sec·Shenandoah Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto West 55th Street
0.1 mi·38 sec·West 55th Street
15
Turn left onto Bedford Avenue
0.1 mi·29 sec·Bedford Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Bedford Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 114-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given the reliance on major freeways, checking real-time traffic patterns before you leave is a smart move to avoid congestion. You won't need to plan for formal stops, but keeping your fuel tank in mind is wise, as a $26 budget is sufficient for the transit. Since your longest stretch is 87 miles, make sure you are comfortable behind the wheel for that duration before heading out. Prioritize a steady pace to make the most of the highway-heavy infrastructure connecting these two California points.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57 miles from Bakersfield, CA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87 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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ladera Heights, 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 114 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Bakersfield, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Freeway for about 87 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.8 and 112 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
26.8 mi into trip|~31m in|CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
85 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
89.1 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
6
89.4 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|I 405 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
112 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward Jefferson Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 50A
Toward Jefferson Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.20 one way
$52.40 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$27.00
$54.00
premium
$6.18
$27.72
$55.45
diesel
$5.61
$25.17
$50.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.2
0
$11.97
$5.47
Efficient EV
28.5
0
$9.98
$4.56
EV Truck/SUV
45.6
0
$15.96
$7.30
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Bakersfield, CA
Late night
in Bakersfield on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ladera Heights, CA
Late night
in Ladera Heights on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°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
5 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
2h 13m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 102.2
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 19.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed transit experience, as this route relies heavily on the Golden State Freeway and the I-405 Truck route. You will spend the vast majority of your time on highways, including a significant 87-mile uninterrupted stretch on the Golden State Freeway. The drive feels like a standard interstate commute, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding scenic detours. As you transition from the Central Valley toward the Los Angeles area, the road maintains a consistent, fast-paced character. Be prepared for a functional, high-traffic environment that keeps you moving steadily toward your goal.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87 mi on Golden State Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and I 405 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.8 miles in near CA 99 / Golden State Freeway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 114 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 26.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 2h 13m. Total distance: 114 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87 miles on Golden State Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Ladera Heights, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ladera Heights, CA before heading back.
