Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Sheridan, CA to Bakersfield, CA

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 52m

Distance

312.1 mi

502 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$72

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 39m ★
6 AM
5h 52m
8 AM
6h 19m
10 AM
6h 2m
12 PM
5h 59m
3 PM
6h 3m
5 PM
6h 17m
8 PM
5h 45m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Sheridan, CA, CA

Sheridan, CA

Stephen Leonardi

city and county seat of Kern County, California, United States

Bakersfield, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 312.1-mile drive from Sheridan, CA to Bakersfield, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 52 minutes. You'll spend a good portion of your time on major arteries like CA 99, the Golden State Highway, and the South Sacramento Freeway, with 78% of the route being highway driving. Budget around $72 for fuel for this trip. Given the duration and the continuous nature of the drive, it's well-suited for a one-day excursion, allowing you to arrive at your destination without needing an overnight stop. The route primarily stays within the Pacific Coast region, connecting two points within California.

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

156.1 miles from Sheridan, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 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
CA 65 18 mi 21m
Capital City Freeway 9 mi 9m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 7.1 mi 8m
Golden State Freeway 5.2 mi 5m
Alan S. Hart Freeway 3.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: CA 99 — 150.3 mi, about 2h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sheridan, CA and Bakersfield, CA.

1

Start on Riosa Road

93 ft · 5 sec · Riosa Road
2

At end of road, turn right onto Sheridan Lincoln Boulevard

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Sheridan Lincoln Boulevard
3

Turn left onto Riosa Road

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Riosa Road
4

Turn left onto CA 65

18 mi · 21 min · CA 65
Use the straight lane.
5

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 47 sec
Toward I 80 West: Sacramento Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto I 80

3.3 mi · 3 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Continue on I 80

7.1 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

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.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business

3.7 mi · 4 min · Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

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.
11

Continue on South Sacramento Freeway

57 mi · 1 hr 5 min · South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

109 mi · 2 hr 5 min · CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

41 mi · 44 min · CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

59 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on CA 99

5.2 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

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.
17

Take the exit

475 ft · 13 sec
18

Continue on Golden State Road

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Golden State Road
19

Enter roundabout onto Chester Avenue

193 ft · 3 sec · Chester Avenue
20

Continue on Chester Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · Chester Avenue
21

Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue

122 ft · 7 sec · Truxtun Avenue
22

Arrive at destination

Truxtun Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour and 52-minute drive, starting early is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic, especially as you pass through the Sacramento area. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself; consider a mid-drive break around the halfway point. Fuel costs are estimated at $72, so ensure your tank is full before departing Sheridan to comfortably reach Bakersfield. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without an exit is over 150 miles on CA 99, so plan your refueling accordingly.

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 156.1 miles from Sheridan, CA, or about 3h 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 69 miles or 1h 20m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 156.1 miles or 3h 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 50m

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 Sheridan, 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 Sheridan, CA

This is one driving day of about 312.1 miles and 5h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Sheridan, 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.

city in Stanislaus County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Turlock, CA

156 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

Woodlake, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Winton, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 156.1 miles from Sheridan, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Restaurant Santa Fe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pixley, California

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 50min to go 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+15597571960

Restaurant Santa Fe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Pixley, California

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+15597571960

A&W Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour Inexpensiv

Tulare, California

Hours: 10 am–9:30 pm

+15596888990

Visit website

Richmaid Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Lodi, California

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12093684279

Visit website

Casa Grande Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Visalia, California

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15597322272

Visit website

Hawks

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $100 or ab

Granite Bay, California

Hours: 5–9 pm

+19167916200

Visit website

Inspire Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Lodi, California

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12093278030

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Fresno, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

1.8 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Madera, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Madera, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Fresno, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Madera, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663003827

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Fresno, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Gallo Center for the Arts

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Modesto, California

+12093382100

Visit website

Maidu Regional Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Roseville, California

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+19167745200

Visit website

Carnegie Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Roseville, California

Hours: 12–4 pm

+19167733003

Visit website

Inspiration Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Final third 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Fresno, California

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+15596212974

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 18.5 and 309 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
18.5 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 West: Sacramento
8
29.2 mi into trip | ~35m 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
34.2 mi into trip | ~40m 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
37.9 mi into trip | ~44m 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
309 mi into trip | ~5h 47m 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

$71.73 one way

$143.47 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $73.92 $147.84
premium $6.18 $75.90 $151.80
diesel $5.61 $68.91 $137.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$72

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$97–$122

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 109.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 93.6 1 $32.77 $14.98
Efficient EV 78 0 $27.31 $12.48
EV Truck/SUV 124.8 1 $43.69 $19.97

Gas CO2

109 kg

EV CO2

37 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Sheridan, CA

Late night in Sheridan on Tuesday

Local time

1:46 AM

PDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bakersfield, CA

Late night in Bakersfield on Tuesday

Local time

1:46 AM

PDT

Current temp

75°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

29 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 52m 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

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 312.1
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-focused experience on this 312.1-mile trip, with 78% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The majority of your travel will be on CA 99 and its connected freeways, including the Golden State Highway and South Sacramento Freeway. You'll encounter one long stretch of 150.3 miles on CA 99 without needing to exit, which means consistent speeds and minimal interruptions. This character suggests a drive where maintaining momentum is key, rather than one with frequent scenic pull-offs or winding local roads.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 18.5 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 14 significant decision points across 312.1 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 18.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.2 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

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 5h 52m. Total distance: 312.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). 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 18.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.2 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 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 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Bakersfield, CA

Willow Creek, CA 537.4 mi · 10h 7m Rio Dell, CA 519.2 mi · 10h 4m Susanville, CA 464.9 mi · 9h 13m Forest Ranch, CA 379.4 mi · 7h 16m

More trips to Bakersfield, CA

Eureka, CA 545.8 mi Hydesville, CA 527.8 mi McCloud, CA 504.2 mi Shasta, CA 443.7 mi Redding, CA 437.9 mi Portola, CA 421.7 mi
Escape planner: Sheridan, CA Scenic drives in CA

Explore more options from Sheridan, CA or browse trips ending in Bakersfield, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.