California Dreamin'?? Let's Drive to Kentucky!

Are you dreaming of wide open spaces, rolling hills, and vibrant bluegrass music? A road trip from Bakersfield, California to Lexington, Kentucky can get you to the heart of the South in just a few short days.

Fasten your seatbelts!

First thing's first, let's talk about the fastest route. To get to Lexington quickly, the best way would be to take I-40 E and I-81 S out of California into Tennessee, where you'll jump onto I-75 S, which takes you directly to Lexington. This route covers approximately 2,149 miles.

On a good day, with minimal stops for comfort breaks and meals, it would take you about 33 hours of driving to reach Lexington. But, of course, we all know that road trips are about the journey as much as the destination.

Take your time and enjoy the ride!

If you're not in a hurry to get to Kentucky and want to take your time on the road, then a scenic route might be more your style. For this journey, we'd suggest taking I-5 N up through northern California, Oregon, and Washington State, into Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, and finally through South Dakota, Iowa, and Illinois before arriving in Kentucky.

This route is approximately 3,414 miles long and will give you the chance to explore some of the most beautiful States in America. It would take you around 54 hours of driving time to complete this route, but imagine all the unique places you'd see and things you'd do! Don't forget your camera!

Now, let's talk about those pesky traffic patterns.

Rush hour exists, even on scenic road trips.

The busiest routes on this journey are definitely through major cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and in the Midwest around Chicago and St. Louis. During peak traffic hours, it could easily add hours to your driving time, so we suggest you plan your journey to avoid rush hour traffic.

Alternatively, you can use some traffic apps like Waze, which give you real-time traffic reports to help you avoid congestion.

Additionally, taking the quickest route means traveling through denser population centers, so you're more likely to hit heavy traffic. That said, there's no harm in taking your time and exploring at a more leisurely pace!

On the other hand, if you hit the road extra early and avoid weekday traffic, you could easily shave off a few hours.

In conclusion, there are several ways to take the drive from Bakersfield to Lexington, each with its own charm and challenges. Whether you want to get there quickly or take your time, avoid or embrace traffic, It all comes down to what kind of journey you want to take. Bon voyage!