Major city · United States
Buttonwillow
Treat Buttonwillow as a fuel-and-sleep stop on I-5, not a destination: 1 night, or a 2-hour break for the tree and the raceway.
Buttonwillow is a crossroads town of about 1,500 people on Interstate 5 at the Highway 58 junction, in the southern San Joaquin Valley north of Los Angeles. Almost everything travellers use — motels, gas, fast food — sits in a strip east of the freeway; the old town, and the tree it is named after, are 4.5 miles west on Highway 58. Come for a bed, a meal and a break from the wheel, not for sightseeing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (routinely above 38 °C (100 °F)), and holiday weekends when I-5 backs upavoid Jul–Aug (routinely above 100 °F (38 °C)), and holiday weekends when I-5 backs up
- Airports
- BFL · LAX
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Buttonwillow911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Buttonwillow, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA quiet farm-and-oil crossroads; the real risks are heat, long empty drives and winter storms over the Grapevine.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 511 Caltrans road conditions (QuickMap / 511)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBFL Meadows Field, Bakersfield (About 35 miles east on Highway 58; small schedule — check routes and times before booking).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Street or quick mealFreeway diner breakfast$10–16
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedOld-town budget motel double, a night, per roomUS$55
- Mid-range bedFreeway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedFreeway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BFL Meadows Field, Bakersfield (About 35 miles east on Highway 58; small schedule — check routes and times before booking) · LAX Los Angeles International (South on I-5 over the Grapevine, 2.5–3.5 h in normal traffic)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Aug
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Sep
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Dec (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (4 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Buttonwillow: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
4 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
4 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Jul
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The freeway strip and old town are 4.5 miles apart with no useful bus; walk only within the Tracy Avenue strip. Gas up here — the next reliable services are Lost Hills northbound and the Grapevine southbound.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 45 min
Highway 58 east, about 35 miles
Basque restaurants, country-music history and the region's main hotel and transport hub.
Taft
goDoor to door: 40 min
Highway 58 west then Highway 33 south, about 30 miles
West Kern Oil Museum and a 1940 replica of Sutter's Fort; a half-day at most.
Tehachapi
goDoor to door: 1 h
Highway 58 east then Highway 202
Mountain town at about 1,200 m; noticeably cooler than the valley in summer.
Door to door: 30 min
About 12 miles southeast, partly on unpaved reserve roads
A herd of around 40 tule elk; check access and opening before driving out.
Door to door: 20 min
Highway 58 west, about 12 miles
McKittrick Brea Pit fossils; a short roadside look, no facilities — check whether the site is open to visitors.
Door to door: 2.5–3.5 h
I-5 south over the Grapevine
Too far for a day return; use it as the next leg, not a day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Tracy Avenue strip (east of I-5)
Motel 6, Super 8, Homeland Inn and the pupuseria cluster here; walkable, lit, and the only real choice for one night.
Old town on Highway 58
Buena Vista Motel and the residential grid, 4.5 miles west of the freeway; quieter, fewer services, no walkable food.
Bakersfield
45 min east if you want a full hotel choice, restaurants and an airport; the usual upgrade from a Buttonwillow stop.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Freeway motel double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Fuel, one full tank1 × US$60 · 2026 estimate | US$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 · 2026 estimate | US$30 |
| Meal at a freeway diner2 × US$18 · 2026 estimate | US$36 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$45 |
| Trip total≈ US$246 per person per day, bed included | US$491 |
2026 estimate; higher on race and holiday weekends
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Lodging, meal, fuel and data figures are estimates — check current prices. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Freeway diner breakfast | $10–16 |
| Pupusa plate | $8–15 |
| Gallon of gas2026 estimate; varies by week | $4–5.50 |
| Motel room, one nightHigher on race and holiday weekends | $55–160 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat: 38–40 °C (100–104 °F) afternoons are normal in July and August; carry water and do not leave people or pets in cars.Summer heat: 100–104 °F (38–40 °C) afternoons are normal in July and August; carry water and do not leave people or pets in cars.
- The town name covers two separate places: freeway services east of I-5 and the old town 4.5 miles west. Check which one your booking is in.
- I-5 closes or crawls in winter storms over the Grapevine and in dust storms; check Caltrans QuickMap before committing to the pass.
- Motel rates spike on race weekends at Buttonwillow Raceway Park and on holiday travel weekends.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Caltrans road conditions (QuickMap / 511)
- 511
Pocket card
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ButtonwillowButtonwillow
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Caltrans road conditions511
Embassy
No consulates here; nearest consulates-general are in Los Angeles. US embassies and consulates handle foreign nationals' emergencies in Washington, DC and Los Angeles.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Buttonwillow → Bakersfield, Highway 58: about 35 miles, 45 min
- Buttonwillow → Los Angeles, I-5 south: about 120 miles, 2.5–3.5 h
- Buttonwillow → Lost Hills, I-5 north: about 20 miles, 20 min
Say or show
- Where is the gas station? — Where is the gas station?
- Is this the road to Bakersfield? — Is this the road to Bakersfield?
- How much is a room for one night? — How much is a room for one night?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there water nearby? — Is there water nearby?
Cell coverage is good along I-5 but patchy on back roads west of town.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Buttonwillow. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (routinely above 38 °C), and holiday weekends when I-5 backs up · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BFL and LAX: last sensible departure, drive times by hour, overnight rung.
- Two walking clusters with rescue anchors: the Tracy Avenue strip and old town on Highway 58.
- Place pages with verified hours (Buttonwillow Tree, Buttonwillow Raceway Park) and eat pages with last orders.
- Grapevine closure and heat fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Buttonwillow
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