Why does it take so long ot drive from Cambria to Bakersfield?
 

Mapquest says its only 140 miles but it will take almost 4 hours. Why?<BR><BR>Thanks<BR><BR>Diane

Four hours seems bogus to me. It's all two-lane road and somewhat hilly, but not that bad. Now if you took Hwy 58 (a bit farther south) I could see four hours pretty easily; 58 is one of those corkscrew type roads where it goes through the hills.

Because it is a winding road with few passing places and a fair number of slow trucks, etc. I would say 3.5 to 4 hours would be pretty close unless you have no traffic.

always take an hour off of Mapquest's time. always.

Unless on the 405, Angelino, then add an hour.

I think that Mapquest allows for slower drivers experiencing longer driving hours.

I'm confused by your response angeleno. Do you mean always take an hour off their times if the route is back roads, or just always take an hour off for their suggestions for Cambria to Bakersfield.?<BR><BR>One would think you mean to ALWAYS take an hour off, but I find most of their times to be &quot;right on&quot; or only a little slow. For example they say it takes 1 hour and 27 minutes to drive from the center of San Francisco to Sacramento -- 88 miles. You say you should take an hour off and do it in 27 minutes?<BR>