How far is Bakersfield, CA from Cotati, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Cotati, CA is about 321.6 miles (517.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 288.4 miles (464.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 06h 03m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
The county seat of Merced County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Cotati.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Cotati.
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1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
670 ft · 24 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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2
Continue on Truxtun Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Truxtun Avenue
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3
Take the ramp straight toward CA 58: Westside Parkway West
2888 ft · 1 min
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4
Continue on Westside Parkway
6.6 mi · 8 min · Westside Parkway
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5
Continue on Stockdale Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Stockdale Highway
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Stockdale Highway
46 m · 2 sec · Stockdale Highway
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Stockdale Highway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Stockdale Highway
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8
Take the exit straight toward I 5 North
2621 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
192.7 mi · 3 hr 27 min · Westside Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
15.9 mi · 17 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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12
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
11.6 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · MacArthur Freeway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · MacArthur Freeway
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16
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
12.9 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Rafeal
1.1 km · 54 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
29.1 mi · 34 min · Redwood Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward West Sierra Avenue, Cotati
1078 ft · 26 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Cotati
33 m · 3 sec
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22
Turn right onto West Sierra Avenue
2646 ft · 60 sec · West Sierra Avenue
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23
Turn left onto La Plaza
90 m · 13 sec · La Plaza
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24
Continue on La Plaza
29 m · 4 sec · La Plaza
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · La Plaza
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Cotati.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
193 mi · 03h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Sunny near Cotati.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Cotati?
The road trip is about 321.6 miles (517.5 km) and usually takes 06h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Los Banos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 160.7 miles from Bakersfield and 160.8 miles from Cotati.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 288.4 miles (464.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.2 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $65.48 one way or $130.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Cotati.
Stop Ideas Near Los Banos
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Los Banos.
Merced station
Denair station
Gilroy, California
Modesto station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Cotati. Straight-line distance: 288.45 mi (464.22 km).
#1 Bakersfield
The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Bakersfield metropolitan area.
| Population | 385,725 |
| Coordinates | 35.3732900, -119.0187100 |
| Altitude | 123 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cotati
City in California
| Population | 7,453 |
| Coordinates | 38.3268600, -122.7072100 |
| Altitude | 33 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cotati (-122.70721, 38.32686)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 517 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $65.48 | $130.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $68.85 | $137.70 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $70.86 | $141.72 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $85.89 | $171.77 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.