Origin
Lone Pine, CA
Late night in Lone Pine on Tuesday
Local time
1:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lone Pine, CA to Bakersfield, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 18m
Distance
168.9 mi
272 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 7m
★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 29m
5 PM
3h 42m
8 PM
3h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lone Pine, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Bakersfield, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lone Pine to Bakersfield is 168.9 miles and takes about 3h 18m via Grand Army of the Republic Highway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip will take you between two points in California's Pacific Coast region. Expect a drive characterized by frequent turns rather than long, straight highway stretches. Given its relatively short duration and manageable distance, this route is best suited for a single-day journey, allowing for a relaxed pace. Plan for approximately $39 in fuel costs for this 168.9-mile drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.5 miles from Lone Pine, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Army of the Republic Highway | 56.1 mi | 1h 4m |
| Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway | 53.2 mi | 1h 1m |
| Aerospace Highway | 23.3 mi | 26m |
| Midland Trail | 22 mi | 25m |
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 7 mi | 8m |
| Barstow–Bakersfield Highway | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| South Chester Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
— 56.1 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lone Pine, CA and Bakersfield, CA.
1
Start on North Washington Street
78 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Washington Street
2
Turn left onto West Bush Street
296 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Bush Street
3
Turn right onto US 395; US 6 Hist
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
4
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14; US 6 Hist
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Aerospace Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on CA 14; CA 178; US 6 Hist
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Midland Trail
8
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward CA-58 West: Bakersfield
10
Merge onto CA 58
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
11
Continue on CA 58
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
12
Continue on CA 58
53 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 111
Toward Chester Avenue, H Street
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on Richland Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Richland Street
15
Turn right onto South Chester Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Chester Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
Truxtun Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Truxtun Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 168.9-mile drive, leaving in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and enjoy the journey without feeling rushed. Since the total drive time is around 3 hours and 18 minutes, you can comfortably complete it in one day. Factor in the longest stretch of 56.1 miles on the Grand Army of the Republic Highway when planning your fuel stops; ensure your tank is adequately filled before embarking on this segment. While there's only one recommended stop, keep an eye out for opportunities to refuel or take a brief break as needed along the various local roads.
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 84.5 miles from Lone Pine, CA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.1 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 37 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.5 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
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 Lone Pine, 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 Lone Pine, CA
This is one driving day of about 168.9 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Lone Pine, 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 Grand Army of the Republic Highway for about 56.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.5 miles from Lone Pine, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 85 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 167.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Bush Street
Turn left onto West Bush Street
Navigation decision point
6
65.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
CA 14; US 6 Hist / Aerospace Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14; US 6 Hist / Aerospace Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
110.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward CA-58 West: Bakersfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward CA-58 West: Bakersfield
8
167.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward Chester Avenue, H Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 111
Toward Chester Avenue, H Street
6
167.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
|
South Chester Avenue
Turn right onto South Chester Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.82 one way
$77.64 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $40.00 | $80.01 |
| premium | $6.18 | $41.07 | $82.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.29 | $74.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.73 | $8.11 |
| Efficient EV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.78 | $6.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.65 | $10.81 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Bakersfield, CA
Late night in Bakersfield on Tuesday
Local time
1:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Ricardo, CA
84 mi in
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
6 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
3h 18m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is described as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you won't be settling into a monotonous interstate cruise. With a 0% highway share, expect to navigate a variety of local roads, including portions of the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway, and Aerospace Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 56.1 miles along the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. This suggests a driving experience that requires more frequent adjustments and attention to navigation.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.1 mi on Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Bush Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 168.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Bush Street): Navigation decision point; at 65.1 miles (CA 14; US 6 Hist / Aerospace Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
About the Cities
Starting in Lone Pine, CA
Full guide →Lone Pine is in the Eastern Sierra region of California's Sierra Nevada mountains.
Top landmarks
- • Lone Pine Film History Museum — Museum in the USA
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 3h 18m. Total distance: 168.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.1 miles on Grand Army of the Republic Highway. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Bush Street): Navigation decision point; at 65.1 miles (CA 14; US 6 Hist / Aerospace Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Bakersfield, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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