The Great Bakersfield to Austin Drive

Are you planning a road trip from Bakersfield, California to Austin, Texas? Well, get ready for a fantastic adventure! With a distance of approximately 1,350 miles, this drive can take a while, but it can also be an enjoyable ride. In this blog post, we'll explore the different routes from Bakersfield to Austin, including their distances, travel times, and traffic patterns to help you plan your journey.

Fastest and Slowest routes

Bakersfield to Austin drive has two popular routes, one taking you through Phoenix, Arizona and the other taking you through El Paso, Texas. The fastest route has you following I-40 East to Albuquerque, New Mexico, then cutting south on US-285 to I-20. The total distance is approximately 1,300 miles and takes approximately 20 hours of driving time. This is the quickest route and takes you through some fantastic American scenery.

The second route, taking you through El Paso, Texas, covers about 1400 miles and on average takes around 22 hours. Although the routes are longer, with good conditions they can cut a few hours off the travel time, making the trip around 20 hours depending on traffic.

Traffic Patterns

The time it takes to drive from Bakersfield to Austin, Texas, is largely impacted by traffic. Traffic patterns dramatically vary throughout the year, so the travel times can change. During peak traffic times, expect the drive to take between 24-26 hours. On the other hand, the best time to travel with light traffic is during winter and spring, taking you around 20 hours.

Final Thoughts

While the drive from Bakersfield, California to Austin, Texas, is long, it's also an exciting adventure that covers different landscapes and captivating scenery. Plan your trip properly and keep in mind the traffic patterns to make the drive as enjoyable as possible. Whichever route you pick, the drive is worth it. So, pack your bags, snacks, and make some memories on the road!