How far is Bakersfield, CA from Half Moon Bay, CA?

The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Half Moon Bay, CA is about 278.2 miles (447.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 238.3 miles (383.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
278.23 mi
05h 25m
Flight
238.3 mi
383.51 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bakersfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
238.3 mi
Kilometers
383.51 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
278.23 mi
Kilometers
447.76 km
Drive Time
05h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Half Moon Bay
Thu, Apr 23, 3:03 AM PDT
Return by in Bakersfield
Thu, Apr 23, 8:28 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bakersfield
2026-04-22T21:37
Arrive Half Moon Bay
Thu, Apr 23, 3:03 AM PDT
Route Timing
05h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:25 AM to 1:25 PM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:10 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bakersfield
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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
Firebaugh
CA

City in Fresno County, California, United States of America

From Bakersfield
139.1 mi
02h 42m
To Half Moon Bay
139.1 mi
02h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW
Destination
Half Moon Bay Weather
CA
Live fallback forecast
66°F
Wednesday
Using El Granada as the closest live forecast in the San Mateo County weather hub.

Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Half Moon Bay.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Half Moon Bay.

  1. 1

    Start on Truxtun Avenue

    670 ft · 24 sec · Truxtun Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on Truxtun Avenue

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Truxtun Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp straight toward CA 58: Westside Parkway West

    2888 ft · 1 min

  4. 4

    Continue on Westside Parkway

    6.6 mi · 8 min · Westside Parkway

  5. 5

    Continue on Stockdale Highway

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Stockdale Highway

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Stockdale Highway

    46 m · 2 sec · Stockdale Highway

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto Stockdale Highway

    4.5 mi · 6 min · Stockdale Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit straight toward I 5 North

    2621 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway

    149.6 mi · 2 hr 40 min · Westside Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose

    1038 ft · 27 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    28.7 mi · 33 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right

    11.9 mi · 17 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: San Jose

    2466 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto South Valley Freeway

    19.9 mi · 23 min · South Valley Freeway

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View

    18.4 mi · 21 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I 280 North, I 280 South: San Jose, San Francisco

    2744 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on I 280 North: San Francisco

    3159 ft · 1 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Junipero Serra Freeway

    20.4 mi · 24 min · Junipero Serra Freeway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 92: Half Moon Bay, San Mateo, Hayward

    128 m · 8 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 92 West: Half Moon Bay

    2965 ft · 1 min

  21. 21

    Continue straight

    1193 ft · 30 sec

  22. 22

    Turn slight right onto Half Moon Bay Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Half Moon Bay Road

  23. 23

    Continue on San Mateo Road

    4.9 mi · 9 min · San Mateo Road

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1678 ft · 45 sec · Main Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Kelly Street

    58 m · 5 sec · Kelly Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Kelly Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Half Moon Bay.

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
26 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
3 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Westside Freeway
150 mi · 54%
CA 152 West
40.9 mi · 15%
Junipero Serra Freeway
20.4 mi · 7%
South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi · 7%
CA 85 North
18.4 mi · 7%
Stockdale Highway
8.87 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.9 mi
238.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Firebaugh
02h 42m from Bakersfield
Leave By
6:10 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Half Moon Bay.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Half Moon Bay?

The road trip is about 278.2 miles (447.8 km) and usually takes 05h 25m 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?

Firebaugh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.1 miles from Bakersfield and 139.1 miles from Half Moon Bay.

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

The direct path is about 238.3 miles (383.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.9 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 6:10 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $56.65 one way or $113.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Half Moon Bay.

Stop Ideas Near Firebaugh

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

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

RAIL

Madera

41 mi away
Avenue 15 1/2 at 29th Road
RAIL

Merced station

50 mi away
324 West 24th St
RAIL

Fresno station

61 mi away
2650 Tulare St.
BUS

Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California

73 mi away
25th Ave and Highway 198

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Half Moon Bay. Straight-line distance: 238.3 mi (383.51 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
Half Moon Bay

#2 Half Moon Bay

City in San Mateo County, California

Population12,513
Coordinates37.4635500, -122.4285900
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Start: Bakersfield (-119.01871, 35.37329)
End: Half Moon Bay (-122.42859, 37.46355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 448 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.82 gal
37.16 L · about $56.65
Round trip
$113.30
19.64 gal · 74.32 L
Estimated CO2
87.3 kg one way
Round trip: 174.5 kg / 385 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $56.65 $113.30
Mid-grade $6.07 $59.57 $119.14
Premium $6.24 $61.31 $122.61
Diesel $7.57 $74.31 $148.62

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 Bakersfield and Half Moon Bay. The current time is 21:37:58.

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.