How far is Bakersfield, CA from Chowchilla, CA?

The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Chowchilla, CA is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 139.3 miles (224.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m 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
146.48 mi
02h 41m
Flight
139.28 mi
224.15 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bakersfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
139.28 mi
Kilometers
224.15 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
146.48 mi
Kilometers
235.73 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chowchilla
Thu, Apr 16, 9:50 AM PDT
Return by in Bakersfield
Thu, Apr 16, 12:32 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bakersfield
2026-04-16T07:08
Arrive Chowchilla
Thu, Apr 16, 9:50 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM PDT

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

Leave by
1:06 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bakersfield
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
Visalia
CA

The fifth most populous city in Tulare County, California.

From Bakersfield
73.3 mi
01h 20m
To Chowchilla
73.2 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW
Destination
69°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Truxtun Avenue

    670 ft · 24 sec · Truxtun Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on Truxtun Avenue

    747 ft · 27 sec · Truxtun Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Chester Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Chester Avenue

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Golden State Road

    591 ft · 12 sec · Golden State Road

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto Golden State Road

    130 m · 9 sec · Golden State Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight

    120 m · 11 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Golden State Avenue

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway

    5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on Golden State Highway

    111.4 mi · 2 hr · Golden State Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7

    2522 ft · 31 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    21.4 mi · 24 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99

    3.7 mi · 4 min · Northbound California State Route 99

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 233 West, Avenue 26

    1361 ft · 39 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Avenue 26

    978 ft · 17 sec · Avenue 26

  15. 15

    Continue on East Robertson Boulevard

    2672 ft · 49 sec · East Robertson Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North 2nd Street

    19 m · 3 sec · North 2nd Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Golden State Highway
111 mi · 76%
Avenue 7
21.9 mi · 15%
Golden State Freeway
5.16 mi · 4%
Northbound California State Route 99
3.71 mi · 3%
Golden State Avenue
1.95 mi · 1%
Chester Avenue
0.9 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Golden State Highway

Continue on Golden State Highway

111 mi · 02h 00m

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 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.2 mi
139.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Visalia
01h 20m from Bakersfield
Leave By
1:06 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Sunny near Chowchilla.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?

Visalia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.3 miles from Bakersfield and 73.2 miles from Chowchilla.

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

The direct path is about 139.3 miles (224.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.2 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 1:06 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.83 one way or $59.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Chowchilla.

Stop Ideas Near Visalia

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Visalia, 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 Visalia.

BUS

Visalia, California

1 mi away
425 E. Oak Street
BUS

Goshen Junction, California

12 mi away
30435 Road 68
RAIL

Hanford station

32 mi away
200 Santa Fe Avenue #A
RAIL

Corcoran station

35 mi away
1099 Otis Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Chowchilla. Straight-line distance: 139.28 mi (224.15 km).

Bakersfield

#1 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
Chowchilla

#2 Chowchilla

City in Madera County, California, United States

Population18,153
Coordinates37.1230000, -120.2601800
Altitude73
CountryUnited States
Start: Bakersfield (-119.01871, 35.37329)
End: Chowchilla (-120.26018, 37.123)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 236 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.17 gal
19.57 L · about $29.83
Round trip
$59.65
10.34 gal · 39.14 L
Estimated CO2
45.9 kg one way
Round trip: 91.9 kg / 203 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $29.83 $59.65
Mid-grade $6.07 $31.36 $62.72
Premium $6.24 $32.28 $64.55
Diesel $7.57 $39.12 $78.24

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Bakersfield and Chowchilla. The current time is 07:08:23.

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.