Bakersfield, CA to Westmont, CA is 120.4 miles and takes about 2h 22m via Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Pacific Coast region, moving from the Central Valley towards the Los Angeles metro area. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey suitable for a single day trip, ideal if you're looking for efficiency. You'll spend most of your time on major freeways, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.2 miles from Bakersfield, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Golden State Freeway
87 mi
1h 38m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
West Century Boulevard
4 mi
7m
San Diego Freeway
3.1 mi
3m
California Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
L Street
0.3 mi
<1m
South Normandie Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
I 5 Truck
0.3 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 Westmont, 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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
3.1 mi·3 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·9 sec
Exit 46Toward Century Boulevard, Los Angeles International Airport, Imperial HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on this road
370 ft·4 sec·this road
Exit 46
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·26 sec
Exit 46Toward South La Cienega Boulevard, Century Boulevard West, Los Angeles International AirportUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto South La Cienega Boulevard
0.2 mi·22 sec·South La Cienega Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto West Century Boulevard
4.0 mi·7 min·West Century Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto South Normandie Avenue
0.3 mi·39 sec·South Normandie Avenue
17
Turn right onto West 105th Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·West 105th Street
18
Turn right
169 ft·12 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 22 minutes, this drive is easily manageable in a single day. Departing Bakersfield in the morning will allow you to avoid the heaviest traffic as you approach the Los Angeles area. With 94% of the route on highways, you'll find ample opportunities for fuel and rest stops along the Golden State Freeway and I 405 Truck. Plan your fuel stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to keep your budget around $28 and ensure a smooth arrival in Westmont.
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 60.2 miles from Bakersfield, CA, or about 1h 9m 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.2 miles or 1h 9m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Westmont, 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 120.4 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.8 and 115.8 — 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.
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
8
115.4 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward Century Boulevard, Los Angeles International Airport, Imperial Highway
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 46
Toward Century Boulevard, Los Angeles Internati...
10
115.6 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward South La Cienega Boulevard, Century Boulevard West, Los Angeles International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward South La Cienega Boulevard, Century Boul...
7
115.8 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|South La Cienega Boulevard
Turn left onto South La Cienega Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.67 one way
$55.35 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$28.52
$57.03
premium
$6.18
$29.28
$58.56
diesel
$5.61
$26.58
$53.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.1
0
$12.64
$5.78
Efficient EV
30.1
0
$10.54
$4.82
EV Truck/SUV
48.2
0
$16.86
$7.71
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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
3:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Westmont, CA
Late night
in Westmont on Tuesday
Local time
3:39 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 22m 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
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 103.8
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 16.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 87 miles on the Golden State Freeway, offering a consistent pace. The drive is characterized by its freeway nature, making it efficient for covering distance. Expect mostly uninterrupted travel on well-maintained highways, with minimal engagement with local roads until you approach your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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 16 significant decision points across 120.4 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 89.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 22m. Total distance: 120.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). 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.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Westmont, 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 89.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Westmont, CA before heading back.
