Origin
Colfax, CA
Late night in Colfax on Sunday
Local time
12:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colfax, CA to Bakersfield, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 4m
Distance
322.9 mi
520 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$74
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 52m
★
6 AM
6h 5m
8 AM
6h 30m
10 AM
6h 14m
12 PM
6h 11m
3 PM
6h 15m
5 PM
6h 29m
8 PM
5h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colfax, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Bakersfield, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
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
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 95
Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
Use 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 South
Use 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 27
Toward CA 204 South: Golden State Avenue
Use 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 161.5 miles from Colfax, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.3 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 155 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
$74.22 one way
$148.43 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $76.48 | $152.96 |
| premium | $6.18 | $78.53 | $157.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $71.29 | $142.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Destination
Bakersfield, CA
Late night in Bakersfield on Sunday
Local time
12:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°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
10 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
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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 Effort
7/10
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.
About the Cities
Starting in Colfax, CA
Full guide →Founded 1910
Colfax is a town in Placer County, California.
Top landmarks
- • Colfax station — railway station in Colfax, California, United States
Arriving 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."
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 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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
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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