Dixon to Bakersfield is 297.4 miles and takes about 5h 35m via CA 99, with a fuel budget near $67 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within California, beginning in the Pacific Coast region and ending in the same region. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, with a focus on efficient travel between these two points.
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
148.7 miles from Dixon, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m 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
56.4 mi
1h 5m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12 mi
13m
Capital City Freeway
5.5 mi
6m
Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi
5m
Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi
4m
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 Dixon, CA and Bakersfield, CA.
1
Start on West A Street
224 ft·11 sec·West A Street
2
Turn left onto CA 113
1.8 mi·2 min·North 1st Street
3
Take the ramp onto CA 113
0.3 mi·35 sec·CA 113
4
Merge onto I 80; CA 113
3.6 mi·4 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business
5.3 mi·5 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 82Toward Sacramento, South Lake TahoeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
0.3 mi·18 sec·Capital City Freeway
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, FresnoUse the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·34 sec
Toward CA 99 South: FresnoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto CA 99
56 mi·1 hr 5 min·South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
109 mi·2 hr 5 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi·44 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Take the exit
475 ft·13 sec
17
Continue on Golden State Road
0.1 mi·11 sec·Golden State Road
18
Enter roundabout onto Chester Avenue
193 ft·3 sec·Chester Avenue
19
Continue on Chester Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Chester Avenue
20
Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue
122 ft·7 sec·Truxtun Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Truxtun Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 35-minute drive, consider leaving early in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially if you depart on a weekday. With a fuel cost estimated around $67, plan your stops accordingly. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 150 miles on CA 99, so ensure you're fueled up before starting that segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, aim to complete the drive before late evening to avoid potential fatigue and reduced visibility.
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 148.7 miles from Dixon, CA, or about 2h 51m 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 65 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.7 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 37m
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 Dixon, 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 Dixon, CA
This is one driving day of about 297.4 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Dixon, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 294.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.8 mi into trip|~7m in|I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
17.9 mi into trip|~21m in|US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 82
Toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
8
23.1 mi into trip|~27m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, Fresno
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, F...
6
23.4 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward CA 99 South: Fresno
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Fresno
8
294.3 mi into trip|~5h 31m 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
$62.22 one way
$124.44 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$64.62
$129.24
premium
$5.67
$66.33
$132.66
diesel
$4.80
$56.15
$112.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.2
1
$31.23
$14.28
Efficient EV
74.4
0
$26.02
$11.90
EV Truck/SUV
119
1
$41.64
$19.03
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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 17, 2026
Origin
Dixon, CA
Evening
in Dixon on Sunday
Local time
7:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
SSW 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 2:01PM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 12:53PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Bakersfield, CA
Evening
in Bakersfield on Sunday
Local time
7:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
102°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 2:01PM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 12:53PM 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
14 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
5h 35m 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.
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 297.4
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 73% of this 297.4-mile drive on major highways, with the longest continuous stretch on CA 99 measuring 150.3 miles. The route transitions from highway to surface roads as you approach your destination. Expect a high volume of exits and traffic as you navigate through the Central Valley.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 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?
8/10
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 5.8 miles in near I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
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 13 significant decision points across 297.4 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 5.8 miles (I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.1 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
408 ft20 ft
Total Climb
440 ft
Total Descent
101 ft
Highest Point
408 ft
~276.1 mi in
Elevation Range
388 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dixon, CA and Bakersfield, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and Fresno.
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 5h 35m. Total distance: 297.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 5.8 miles (I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.1 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — César E. Chávez National Monument and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 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.
