Transport from Los Angeles to Bakersfield Uber?

Question

We are visiting from Australia and want to hire a car to visit the national parks. We prefer not to drive out of Los Angeles (other side of road for us) so plan to pick up the car in Bakersfield. Is it reasonable to take an Uber from the Hyatt Regency Los Angeles Airport to Bakersfield. It looks like a more economical option than a private transfer, but I wondered how easy it would be to get an Uber driver willing to do that trip, given that they may not get a return fare. The Uber app accepts the journey.

Answer

Taking an Uber from the Hyatt Regency Los Angeles Airport (LAX area) to Bakersfield is technically possible, as the Uber app will accept the trip. However, there are several practical considerations to keep in mind before deciding:

The distance between LAX and Bakersfield is about 110–120 miles, depending on your route, which typically takes around 2–2.5 hours under normal traffic conditions. This is significantly longer than a standard Uber trip, and most drivers may be hesitant to accept it because of the long one-way journey without a guaranteed return fare.

Here are some important points to consider:

Availability: Not all Uber drivers will accept such a long trip. You may need to try multiple times or wait longer for a driver willing to take it.
Cost: Uber will likely calculate a high fare for this distance. You might find that the fare approaches or even exceeds the cost of a private shuttle or rental car one-way drop fee.
Driver willingness: Even if a driver accepts the ride, they may request higher pay via Uber’s fare-surge pricing or additional messaging, or cancel if they reconsider the long trip.

Alternative options that are often more reliable for this journey include:

Private shuttle or car service: Several companies offer one-way transfers between LAX and Bakersfield. This guarantees the trip and avoids uncertainty.
Amtrak train: There is a direct train service from Los Angeles Union Station to Bakersfield, which is comfortable and more economical than an Uber. You would need to get from LAX to Union Station via a short Uber or FlyAway bus ride.
Bus services: Companies like Greyhound or FlixBus offer routes from Los Angeles to Bakersfield. Similar to the train, you would need transport from LAX to the bus station.

In summary, while Uber can work in theory, it may not be the most practical or economical option. A train, bus, or pre-arranged private transfer will provide more certainty and could even be cheaper than a long-distance Uber ride. If you do decide to try Uber, prepare for a high fare and possibly limited driver acceptance.