On the Road: Bakersfield to Kansas City

Ready for an exciting cross-country road trip? The drive from Bakersfield, California to Kansas City, Missouri is a journey of over 1,600 miles through the heartland of America. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, you'll want to plan your route and predict your time on the road. Here's our guide to the fastest and slowest routes between Bakersfield and Kansas City.

The Fastest and Slowest Routes

There are two main routes you can take to drive from Bakersfield to Kansas City: the northern route or the southern route. The northern route passes through Sacramento, Reno, Salt Lake City, Cheyenne, and Denver before reaching Kansas City. This route takes around 25 hours, covering a distance of approximately 1,730 miles.

The southern route passes through Los Angeles, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, and Wichita before reaching Kansas City. This route takes around 23 hours, covering a distance of approximately 1,580 miles.

As you might expect from such a difference in distance and routing, the northern route is the slower of the two. But it can be a beautiful drive if you have the time to enjoy the stunning scenery. The southern route offers a great chance to take in the high desert and prairie lands of the southwest.

Traffic and Timing

Of course, your timing is crucial when traveling such a distance. Traffic congestion can affect your driving time significantly, especially in urban areas. For the northern route, expect to encounter the most traffic in Salt Lake City and Denver, particularly during rush hour. For the southern route, expect to hit traffic in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Oklahoma City.

At peak traffic times, the northern route can take between 28 and 30 hours. The southern route can take 25 to 26 hours. However, if you time your journey to avoid traffic, you can save yourself some time on the road. At low traffic times, the northern route can be completed in around 22 hours, while the southern route can take around 20 to 21 hours.

Wrap Up

So there you have it, a guide to the best routes and driving times when traveling from Bakersfield to Kansas City. Whether you choose the northern or southern route, there are amazing sights and experiences awaiting you along the way. So grab your favorite snacks, pump up the tunes, and hit the open road!