This 322.9-mile drive from Colfax, CA to Bakersfield, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 6 hours and 4 minutes. Primarily utilizing CA 99, also known as the Golden State Highway and the South Sacramento Freeway for portions, this route is best suited for a single day of travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $74, it's an economical option for traversing California. The drive keeps you within the Pacific Coast region for both origin and destination, offering a consistent, practical experience for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this a direct path for your road trip needs.
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
161.5 miles from Colfax, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 99
150.3 mi
2h 49m
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi
1h 2m
South Sacramento Freeway
56.8 mi
1h 5m
Alan S. Hart Freeway
32.3 mi
37m
Capital City Freeway
9 mi
9m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7.1 mi
8m
Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi
5m
Golden State Avenue
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 150.3 mi, about 2h 49m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 135 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,999 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~331 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Colfax, CA and Bakersfield, CA.
1
Start on this road
33 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 40 Hist
130 ft·11 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 40 Hist
498 ft·13 sec·Grassvalley Street
4
Turn right onto US 40 Hist
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Auburn Avenue
5
Continue on CA 174
460 ft·10 sec·South Auburn Street
6
Enter roundabout
155 ft·3 sec
Toward I 80 West
7
Continue
492 ft·12 sec
Toward I 80 West
8
Merge onto I 80
32 mi·37 min·Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 80
7.1 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
4.9 mi·5 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 95Toward I 80 Business West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business
3.7 mi·4 min·Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto Capital City Freeway
0.3 mi·20 sec·Capital City Freeway
Toward CA 99 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on South Sacramento Freeway
57 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
Given the 6-hour duration, starting your journey from Colfax in the morning is advisable to arrive in Bakersfield with daylight to spare. While the drive is manageable in one day, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a significant change in major road is 150.3 miles on CA 99, so be mindful of your fuel levels before embarking on this segment. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you pass through the Sacramento area, as this can impact your travel time. This route offers flexibility, so you can adjust your pace as needed.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.5 miles from Colfax, CA, or about 3h 6m 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 71 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.5 miles or 3h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h
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 Colfax, 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 Colfax, CA
This is one driving day of about 322.9 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Colfax, 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 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 319.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in
Enter roundabout toward I 80 West
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward I 80 West
8
40 mi into trip|~47m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 95
Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
6
44.9 mi into trip|~52m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
48.7 mi into trip|~56m in|Capital City Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Capital City Freeway toward CA 99 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South
8
319.8 mi into trip|~5h 59m 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
$67.55 one way
$135.11 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$70.16
$140.32
premium
$5.67
$72.02
$144.03
diesel
$4.80
$60.97
$121.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$68
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.9
1
$33.90
$15.50
Efficient EV
80.7
0
$28.25
$12.92
EV Truck/SUV
129.2
1
$45.21
$20.67
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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 19, 2026
Origin
Colfax, CA
Late night
in Colfax on Monday
Local time
1:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 1 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 7:02PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Bakersfield, CA
Late night
in Bakersfield on Monday
Local time
1:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
NW 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 7:02PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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
8 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
6h 4m 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.
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 322.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 79% of the drive on major roadways. The character of the route is largely defined by its continuous stretches on CA 99. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted segment of 150.3 miles on this main artery, meaning it's built for steady progress rather than frequent scenic detours. The drive unfolds as a consistent, high-speed passage, emphasizing efficiency over varied road types. This highway-focused profile ensures a predictable driving rhythm for the majority of your trip.
79% 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Golden State Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 322.9 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 0.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 40 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.9 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): 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 6h 4m. Total distance: 322.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m 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.
Yes — we found about 21 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 40 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.9 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 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.
