How far is Bakersfield, CA from East Palo Alto, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to East Palo Alto, CA is about 257.9 miles (415 km), with a travel time of about 04h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226.1 miles (363.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 04h 56m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and East Palo Alto.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and East Palo Alto.
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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
149.6 mi · 2 hr 40 min · Westside Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
1038 ft · 27 sec
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11
Continue straight
28.7 mi · 33 min
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12
Keep slight right
11.9 mi · 17 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: San Jose
2466 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi · 23 min · South Valley Freeway
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15
Keep slight left
21.9 mi · 25 min
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16
Keep slight left
5.4 mi · 6 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Palo Alto, East Palo Alto
157 m · 13 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on University Avenue, East Palo Alto
1097 ft · 34 sec
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19
Turn left onto Donohoe Street
108 m · 14 sec · Donohoe Street
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20
Turn right onto University Avenue
2271 ft · 1 min · University Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and East Palo Alto.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
150 mi · 02h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Sunny near East Palo Alto.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to East Palo Alto?
The road trip is about 257.9 miles (415 km) and usually takes 04h 56m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mendota is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.9 miles from Bakersfield and 128.9 miles from East Palo Alto.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226.1 miles (363.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $52.50 one way or $105.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near East Palo Alto.
Stop Ideas Near Mendota
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 Mendota.
Madera
Fresno station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Merced station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and East Palo Alto. Straight-line distance: 226.02 mi (363.75 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 East Palo Alto
City in San Mateo County, California, United States
| Population | 29,059 |
| Coordinates | 37.4688300, -122.1410800 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Palo Alto (-122.14108, 37.46883)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 415 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $52.50 | $105.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $55.20 | $110.40 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $56.81 | $113.62 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $68.86 | $137.72 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.