California Dreaming: How Long Does it Take to Drive From Bakersfield to South Pasadena?

California is a beautiful state, with endless opportunities for adventures and exploration. One of the best ways to experience California's natural beauty is by taking a road trip. If you're planning a road trip from Bakersfield to South Pasadena, you might be wondering about the drive time. With several different routes to choose from, figuring out your journey's duration can be a little bit confusing. Keep reading for the lowdown on the fastest and slowest routes, the distance of that route, the time it takes based on traffic patterns.

The Routes and Drive Time

There are different routes to take to drive from Bakersfield to South Pasadena, each with its benefits and drawbacks. Let's first take a look at the fastest and slowest options and see how long each of them takes.

Fastest Route

If you're looking to get from Bakersfield to South Pasadena as quickly as possible, it's best to take CA-99 S and I-5 S. This route is approximately 105 miles long and takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to drive in low traffic conditions.

Slowest Route

Sometimes, you want to enjoy the drive and take your time to soak up the beautiful scenery. In this case, you might want to take the scenic route and drive through the Angeles National Forest. This road is slower and has several beautiful stopovers. This route takes longer, with a drive time of roughly 2 hours and 20 minutes, which is around 112 miles.

The Traffic

The time it takes you to get from Bakersfield to South Pasadena can vary greatly depending on traffic patterns. Here's what you need to know about how congestion can affect drive time.

Peak Traffic Time

If you're driving during peak hours, which are typically from 7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm on weekdays, your journey could take significantly longer. In peak traffic, the CA-99 S, I-5 S route could take you roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes or longer to cover the 105 miles. The Angeles National Forest route could take you more than 3 hours to reach South Pasadena, a distance of around 112 miles.

Low Traffic Time

However, if you manage to avoid the peak traffic hours, your journey could be much smoother. The CA-99 S, I-5 S route could take you just over an hour's drive, and the Angeles National Forest route could take you nearly 2 hours to reach your destination.

Conclusion

Whether you choose to take the faster or slower route depends on your priorities. Maybe you want to reach your destination as quickly as possible, in which case you should opt for the CA-99 S and I-5 S. But if you're in the mood for a scenic drive, the longer route through Angeles National Forest could be perfect. Regardless of the route that you take, I hope this blog post has been helpful in letting you know what to expect in terms of drive time. And don't forget to stop and enjoy the views along the way. Happy driving!