How far is Atwater, CA from Bakersfield, CA?

The driving distance from Atwater, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 171.4 miles (275.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162.6 miles (261.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
171.4 mi
02h 50m
Flight
162.6 mi
261.68 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Atwater.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
162.6 mi
Kilometers
261.68 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
171.4 mi
Kilometers
275.84 km
Drive Time
02h 50m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bakersfield
Wed, Apr 22, 10:23 PM PDT
Return by in Atwater
Thu, Apr 23, 1:14 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Atwater
2026-04-22T19:32
Arrive Bakersfield
Wed, Apr 22, 10:23 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:51 AM to 12:51 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:48 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Atwater
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Kingsburg
CA

Town in California, USA

From Atwater
85.6 mi
01h 25m
To Bakersfield
85.8 mi
01h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW
Destination
71°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Atwater and Bakersfield.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Atwater and Bakersfield.

  1. 1

    Start on Cedar Avenue

    56 m · 10 sec · Cedar Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 3rd Street

    631 ft · 33 sec · 3rd Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Atwater Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Atwater Boulevard

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight

    907 ft · 22 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    61.5 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    41 mi · 44 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway

    58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Golden State Freeway

    5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Avenue

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right

    145 m · 13 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on Golden State Road

    583 ft · 12 sec · Golden State Road

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chester Avenue

    59 m · 4 sec · Chester Avenue

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto Chester Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Chester Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue

    37 m · 8 sec · Truxtun Avenue

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Atwater and Bakersfield.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Atwater Boulevard
104 mi · 61%
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 34%
Golden State Freeway
5.16 mi · 3%
Golden State Avenue
2.03 mi · 1%
Chester Avenue
0.95 mi · 1%
3rd Street
0.12 mi
Longest Stretch

Atwater Boulevard

Merge slight left

61.5 mi · 01h 10m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.8 mi
162.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kingsburg
01h 25m from Atwater
Leave By
12:48 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Atwater and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Atwater to Bakersfield?

The road trip is about 171.4 miles (275.8 km) and usually takes 02h 50m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Kingsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.6 miles from Atwater and 85.8 miles from Bakersfield.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 162.6 miles (261.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:48 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.90 one way or $69.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Atwater and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.

Stop Ideas Near Kingsburg

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kingsburg, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kingsburg.

BUS

Goshen Junction, California

23 mi away
30435 Road 68
RAIL

Hanford station

23 mi away
200 Santa Fe Avenue #A
RAIL

Fresno station

32 mi away
2650 Tulare St.
BUS

Visalia, California

32 mi away
425 E. Oak Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Atwater and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 162.6 mi (261.68 km).

Atwater

#1 Atwater

City in California

Population30,296
Coordinates37.3477200, -120.6090800
Altitude46
CountryUnited States
Bakersfield

#2 Bakersfield

The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Bakersfield metropolitan area.

Population385,725
Coordinates35.3732900, -119.0187100
Altitude123
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Avenue (-120.609019, 37.347826)
End: Truxtun Avenue (-119.01871, 35.373244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 276 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.05 gal
22.89 L · about $34.90
Round trip
$69.80
12.1 gal · 45.78 L
Estimated CO2
53.8 kg one way
Round trip: 107.5 kg / 237 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $34.90 $69.80
Mid-grade $6.07 $36.70 $73.40
Premium $6.24 $37.77 $75.54
Diesel $7.57 $45.78 $91.56

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in California · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Atwater and Bakersfield. The current time is 19:32:20.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.