How far is Bakersfield, CA from Folsom, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Folsom, CA is about 286 miles (460.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 257.4 miles (414.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 59m 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 05h 29m.
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 Madera County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Folsom.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Folsom.
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1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
670 ft · 24 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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2
Continue on Truxtun Avenue
747 ft · 27 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Chester Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Chester Avenue
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Golden State Road
591 ft · 12 sec · Golden State Road
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Golden State Road
130 m · 9 sec · Golden State Road
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6
Take the ramp straight
120 m · 11 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Golden State Avenue
1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue
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8
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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9
Continue on Golden State Highway
111.4 mi · 2 hr · Golden State Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
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11
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
84.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Northbound California State Route 99
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13
Continue on Golden State Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Golden State Highway
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14
Continue on Old U.S. Route 99E
1.3 mi · 1 min · Old U.S. Route 99E
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15
Keep slight left
30.1 mi · 35 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Grant Line Road
1770 ft · 45 sec
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17
Turn right onto Grant Line Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Grant Line Road
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18
Turn left onto Bradshaw Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · Bradshaw Road
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bradshaw Road
28 m · 2 sec · Bradshaw Road
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Bradshaw Road
8.7 mi · 12 min · Bradshaw Road
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21
Take the ramp straight toward US 50 East: South Lake Tahoe
1851 ft · 45 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto El Dorado Freeway
8.7 mi · 10 min · El Dorado Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Folsom Boulevard
1412 ft · 34 sec
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24
Turn left onto Folsom Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · Folsom Boulevard
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25
Turn slight right
1252 ft · 43 sec
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26
Continue on Sutter Street
1535 ft · 58 sec · Sutter Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sutter Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Folsom.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Clear near Folsom.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Folsom?
The road trip is about 286 miles (460.3 km) and usually takes 05h 29m 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?
Chowchilla is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.1 miles from Bakersfield and 142.9 miles from Folsom.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 257.4 miles (414.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.6 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 6:00 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $58.21 one way or $116.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bakersfield and Clear near Folsom.
Stop Ideas Near Chowchilla
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 Chowchilla.
Madera
Merced station
Mariposa, CA
Mariposa, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Folsom. Straight-line distance: 257.46 mi (414.34 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 Folsom
A city in Sacramento County, California.
| Population | 82,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.6779600, -121.1760600 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| Country | United States |
End: Folsom (-121.17606, 38.67796)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 460 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $58.21 | $116.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $61.21 | $122.41 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $62.99 | $125.98 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $76.35 | $152.70 |
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 · May 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.