Traffic Predict

Best Time to Drive from Bakersfield to Los Angeles

Right now (5:00 pm PDT): about 123 minutes via I-5 South and SR-99 South, usually 117 at this time.

On weekdays the 112-mile drive from Bakersfield to Los Angeles (via I-5 South and SR-99 South) usually takes as little as 113 minutes and up to 133 minutes, when leaving around 3 pm on Thursdays. The fastest times to leave are before 1:30 pm or after 5:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 123 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 2:30 pm on Saturdays (123 minutes).

Drive times are measured from central Bakersfield (Truxtun Avenue) to Downtown LA (City Hall) (West 1st Street) along the route shown. Starting or ending elsewhere in a big city can add or save several minutes.

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Bakersfield to Los Angeles by day and time you leave (local time)
Leave5am6am7am8am9am10am11am12pm1pm2pm3pm4pm5pm6pm7pm8pm9pm
Mon114120122120119119119120122125127127122117117117115
Tue115122124121120119119120122125128129125118116116114
Wed114121123122120120120121122126130130126119117116114
Thu115123125122121120120122123128133132128120117117114
Fri114120122121121122123125127133132130125118116114113
Sat113114114115117119121122122122123122117115115113113
Sun113113113114114115117118119118118117116116116115114

Simulated from typical freeway speeds at each point of the drive for the time you would reach it, from every 5-minute reading we have recorded. Surface streets at each end are estimated.

Questions

What is the best time to drive from Bakersfield to Los Angeles?

On weekdays, leave before 1:30 pm or after 5:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 113 minutes then, versus up to 133 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Los Angeles?

The 112-mile drive usually takes 113 to 133 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 123 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Bakersfield to Los Angeles?

Leaving around 3 pm on Thursdays is usually slowest, about 133 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

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