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Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Bakersfield to Riverside. Traveling by bus from Bakersfield to Riverside usually takes around 5 hours, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 135 mi (217 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 35m |
| Cheapest price | $24.00 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 1 |
How much is a bus ticket from Bakersfield to Riverside?
Bus tickets for a trip from Bakersfield to Riverside cost $33.63 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Bakersfield to Riverside is expected to be between $37 and $48. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is May 14, 2024, when tickets are available for May 14, 2024. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just $37.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. Booking in advance, even by a couple of days, is the best way to find cheaper bus tickets.
What bus companies travel from Bakersfield to Riverside?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Bakersfield to Riverside. Amtrak Thruway connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 3 | 5h 1m | $40.65 |
Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Bakersfield to Riverside start at $24. On average, there are 3 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 5 hours to cover the 135 miles from Bakersfield to Riverside. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 35 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Because many passengers travel from Bakersfield to Riverside at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 4:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Bakersfield to Riverside, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Bakersfield to Riverside every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Bakersfield to Riverside; ticket prices start at $27.00.
City Information
Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California, is just north of LA on the Kern River. The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, one of the city’s biggest attractions, displays fossils, dinosaur models, Native American artifacts, and a changing array of temporary exhibitions. Meanwhile, the Bakersfield Museum of Art features multiple rotating galleries of modern and historical art.
As the sun sets in Bakersfield, locals and visitors alike flock to Buck Owens Crystal Palace for food, drinks, and the biggest live music venue in the area. The Belvedere Cocktail lounge offers a more intimate live music experience– plus some amazing drinks and arcade games. For a truly unique experience, check out the family-friendly Gaslight Melodrama Theatre, where audiences are encouraged to cheer, boo, and get in on the fun of the live performances.
On the quieter side, Bakersfield has a number of beautiful parks across the city. The Park at RiverWalk is a fan favorite, with 32 sprawling acres along the Kern River dotted with picnic areas, public grills, and fishing spots. The Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area provides more outdoor activities with swimming, boating, sailing, cycling, and more.
To get to Bakersfield, fly into the Meadows Field Airport just north of the town. Several bus lines also service the area, connecting the city to Phoenix, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Ontario. For train service, Amtrak offers routes to San Diego, San Francisco, and even New York City.
Riverside
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Riverside is the most populous city in the Inland Empire and the birthplace of the local citrus industry. One of the most popular buildings in the city is the Mission Inn, a historic landmark that is also the largest Mission Revival Style building in the country. The building is now a popular local hotel and spa, offering top-notch hospitality services. While nearby, don't forget to check out the Mission Inn Museum as well. If you are looking to enjoy a great panoramic view of the entire city, take a short hike to the top of Mount Rubidoux, and you will not be disappointed!
Riverside boasts a generally vibrant food scene with plenty of establishments to choose from. The Mission Inn itself offers incredible traditional Spanish dishes and a fabulous open-air patio dining spot. For seasonal produce and local dishes, check out Salted Pig!
Riverside is served by Amtrak trains and several bus companies that operate routes throughout Southern California and beyond. In addition, there are three major airports in Riverside's general area: Ontario International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and John Wayne Orange County Airport.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Bakersfield?
Main departure station: 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
Buses to Riverside leave from 5 stations in Bakersfield.
All bus stations in Bakersfield:
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
Tour Bus Loading Zone
Tehachapi Park and Ride
685 N First Ave
1611 E Main St
Where does the bus arrive in Riverside?
Image credit: Juan Enrique Gilardi
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St
On June 14, 1993, the Riverside station on Vine Street opened as a transportation facility. It comprises a platform with modest shelters to shield visitors from the sun and adverse weather. On April 29, 2002, the station was added as a stop on the Southwest Chief route, putting an end to Amtrak trains just passing through Riverside without making a scheduled stop. In addition to Amtrak, the station now primarily operates as a Metrolink commuter rail and transit bus terminal.
All bus stations in Riverside:
Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St
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