KETTLEMAN CITY, Calif. — One of California’s busiest highway rest stops, known to travelers as a reliable oasis between Los Angeles and San Francisco, is about to undergo a dramatic multiyear transformation. Beginning this spring, the commercial core of Kettleman City, a beloved Exit 309 stop along Interstate 5, will turn into a sprawling construction zone as Kings County and Caltrans begin building a major dual-lane roundabout.
.webp)
Kettleman City sits at the crossroads of State Route 41 and Bernard Drive, home to some of the most recognizable roadside attractions in the state. It’s a place where a packed In-N-Out Burger, a huge Tesla charging station, and the Wild West-themed Bravo Farms offer everything from massive bathrooms to kid-friendly meals, souvenirs, coffee, and massive parking lots that cater to both gas vehicles and EV drivers.
Across the street, travelers find a popular 24-7 Mexican restaurant located in a former diner, plus a newer Tesla lounge and charging station featuring a coffee bar, retail space and plenty of branded merch. For thousands of families, commuters, truckers and holiday travelers, Kettleman City has become more than a rest stop — it’s a cultural waypoint and a halfway celebration spot on a 382-mile journey along I-5.
That easy access is about to change. The region is preparing for the start of a long-planned project aimed at improving safety and traffic flow in a corridor where congestion often intensifies during weekends and holidays. According to Caltrans, the project will result in a dual-lane roundabout designed to help vehicles navigate the busy intersection more efficiently.
A Caltrans report states that construction will occur in phases. First, Kings County will build a permanent detour road in 2026 “to serve as a construction detour and reduce traffic congestion in the commercial area.” That work will “extend Dana Circle to the intersection of State Route 41 and Hubert Way,” providing “a permanent right-turn connection to and from northbound State Route 41.”
Once that phase is complete, Caltrans takes over the roundabout build. “Construction on the Kettleman Roundabout Project is anticipated to commence in early Fall of 2026 after Kings County completes construction on the extension of Dana Circle to State Route 41,” Caltrans spokesperson Alex Aguilera told SFGATE in an email.
Traffic will still move through the area during construction, though with delays. Aguilera said, “During construction of the roundabout, one lane will remain open in each direction along State Route 41 for motorists traveling through Kettleman City,” adding there will be “brief periods when detours utilizing Dana Circle and Hubert Way are required to safely complete particular phases of the project.”
.webp)
Local business owners already know what disruption looks like. Last spring, a Kings River Bridge paving project partially closed Highway 41 near Kettleman City, causing a noticeable drop in visitors. One traveler remarked on the change, saying, “Nobody is here… I’m surprised.” A Bravo Farms manager also expressed concern at the time, acknowledging the roundabout would improve safety and traffic flow yet dreading another hit to business.
Caltrans is already offering caution for this holiday season — even before construction begins. Motorists are being encouraged to adjust routes and expectations, particularly once the project starts in 2026. The agency emphasized that travelers should “plan and give themselves enough time to arrive at their destinations safely,” and during the coming construction years, motorists should expect reduced access.
As Aguilera concluded, drivers should prepare “to be alert for construction personnel and to drive with extra care and allow additional travel time while traveling in the construction area.” Completion of the roundabout is currently scheduled for spring 2027.
Originally reported by Andrew Pridgen,Central California Editor in SF Gate.
