Navigating Bakersfield: How Local Transit and Road Networks Keep the City Moving

Getting around Bakersfield means understanding a transportation network built for cars but quietly expanding its public transit reach. The city's layout, anchored by three major freeways and a bus system run by Golden Empire Transit, offers residents and visitors distinct options depending on where they need to go.

Highways and Air Travel

Bakersfield's road network relies on three key corridors: State Route 99, which cuts north-south through the city; State Route 58, running east-southeast toward the Tehachapi mountains; and State Route 178, connecting downtown to the northeast. Notably, Interstate 5 bypasses the city to the west, so drivers heading to or from Bakersfield stick to these state routes for most local trips. For air travel, Meadows Field Airport (BFL) sits about 8 miles north of downtown, offering a regional gateway without the congestion of a major hub. Amtrak also serves the city via the San Joaquin Route, with a main terminal downtown, providing rail connections up and down the Central Valley.

Driving remains the most convenient way to navigate Bakersfield, according to local transit data. The city's car-friendly design and relatively manageable traffic congestion, compared to larger metropolitan areas, make it a practical choice. However, walking is challenging due to the city's sprawling layout and limited pedestrian infrastructure, so most errands and commutes still rely on a vehicle.

Public Transit and Intercity Connections

Golden Empire Transit (GET) operates 18 bus routes that connect key destinations including Meadows Field Airport, with primary transfer hubs at the Downtown Transit Center and Valley Plaza Transit Center. This system covers most of the city, though frequency and coverage may require some planning for riders. For longer trips, intercity bus providers such as Amtrak Thruway, Greyhound, Flixbus, and Orange Belt Stages offer connections to points beyond Bakersfield. Meanwhile, Kern Transit links the city to other Kern County communities including Delano, Tehachapi, and Lake Isabella, making regional travel feasible without a car.

The combination of these services means locals and visitors have more options than a decade ago, though the overall system still relies heavily on the automobile. Traffic conditions are monitored by the California Highway Patrol and local agencies, with updates available through sources like KGET's traffic coverage.

Practical Advice for Getting Around

For anyone moving through Bakersfield, the key is matching the mode to the trip: use State Route 99 or 58 for cross-town drives, catch a GET bus for trips near the Downtown or Valley Plaza hubs, and book Amtrak or a regional bus for journeys beyond the city. The airport's proximity, just 8 miles north, makes flying in and out relatively quick. While walking is tough in many areas, ride-share services like Uber operate in the city, offering an alternative for shorter connections. Staying informed about road conditions, especially on the state routes that handle heavy commuter traffic, helps avoid delays.

Sources include (but are not limited to): Visit Bakersfield, Wikipedia, Moovit, CHP, CommuteKern, Uber, Wikivoyage, and KGET.