New Year's Traffic in Bakersfield: Best and Worst Times to Drive (2027)
Based on 9 past New Year's (2017–2026, leaving out 2020), freeways across Bakersfield are no slower than usual over New Year's; the busiest time is Saturday (January 2 this year) around 5 pm, at 62 mph (usually 61 mph).
Day by day
- Wednesday, December 30: about like a normal Wednesday; slowest around 3 pm (63 mph, usually 63 mph).
- Thursday, December 31: about like a normal Thursday; slowest around 2 pm (64 mph, usually 62 mph).
- Friday, January 1: lighter than a normal Friday; slowest around 12 pm (65 mph, usually 61 mph).
- Saturday, January 2: about like a normal Saturday; slowest around 5 pm (62 mph, usually 61 mph).
Hour by hour
| Day | 5am | 6am | 7am | 8am | 9am | 10am | 11am | 12pm | 1pm | 2pm | 3pm | 4pm | 5pm | 6pm | 7pm | 8pm | 9pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Dec 30 | 67 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 63 | 63 | 63 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 |
| Thu Dec 31 | 67 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 65 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 66 | 66 |
| Fri Jan 1 | 66 | 66 | 66 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 66 | 66 | 67 |
| Sat Jan 2 | 67 | 66 | 66 | 66 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 64 | 64 | 63 | 63 | 62 | 64 | 65 | 65 | 66 |
Averages of every hour of freeway data we have for these days in past years (hover a cell for a normal day). Dates are this year's; each past year is lined up on its own holiday.
Bakersfield traffic tomorrow · Bakersfield traffic right now
Questions
When is the worst time to drive for New Year's in Bakersfield?
Based on 9 past New Year's (2017–2026, leaving out 2020), freeways across Bakersfield are no slower than usual over New Year's; the busiest time is Saturday (January 2 this year) around 5 pm, at 62 mph (usually 61 mph).
What is New Year's traffic like in Bakersfield?
Wednesday, December 30: about like a normal Wednesday; slowest around 3 pm (63 mph, usually 63 mph). Thursday, December 31: about like a normal Thursday; slowest around 2 pm (64 mph, usually 62 mph). Friday, January 1: lighter than a normal Friday; slowest around 12 pm (65 mph, usually 61 mph). Saturday, January 2: about like a normal Saturday; slowest around 5 pm (62 mph, usually 61 mph).