How far is Bakersfield, CA from La Jolla, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to La Jolla, CA is about 224.6 miles (361.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 201 miles (323.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 55m 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 27m.
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.
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and La Jolla.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and La Jolla.
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1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
670 ft · 20 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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2
Turn right onto L Street
1710 ft · 51 sec · L Street
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3
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 99 South
1049 ft · 26 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
24.7 mi · 27 min · Golden State Freeway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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9
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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11
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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14
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min
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20
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
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21
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
-
22
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road
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23
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
1479 ft · 21 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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26
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
64.7 mi · 1 hr 16 min · San Diego Freeway
-
27
Take the exit slight right toward La Jolla Village Drive
1606 ft · 45 sec
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28
Turn right onto La Jolla Village Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · La Jolla Village Drive
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29
Turn left onto Torrey Pines Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Torrey Pines Road
-
30
Keep slight right to continue on Torrey Pines Road
1 mi · 2 min · Torrey Pines Road
-
31
Turn right onto Prospect Place
1044 ft · 21 sec · Prospect Place
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32
Continue on Prospect Street
1228 ft · 29 sec · Prospect Street
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33
Turn left onto Herschel Avenue
48 m · 6 sec · Herschel Avenue
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34
Turn right
77 m · 19 sec
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and La Jolla.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
San Diego Freeway
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
64.7 mi · 01h 16m
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 Sunny near La Jolla.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to La Jolla?
The road trip is about 224.6 miles (361.4 km) and usually takes 04h 27m 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?
Los Angeles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.3 miles from Bakersfield and 112.3 miles from La Jolla.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 201 miles (323.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 8:04 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.59 one way or $99.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near La Jolla.
Stop Ideas Near Los Angeles
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of South El Monte City Hall
City of Los Angeles
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Union Station
Glendale Transportation Center
Pasadena, California
Westchester, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and La Jolla. Straight-line distance: 201.04 mi (323.54 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 La Jolla
Located along the Pacific coastline in San Diego County, this hilly community sits at a mean elevation of approximately 105 feet and features rugged ocean bluffs alongside sandy beaches.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 32.8472700, -117.2742000 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Jolla (-117.2742, 32.84727)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 361 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $49.59 | $99.17 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $51.47 | $102.94 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $52.98 | $105.95 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $66.63 | $133.26 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026