How far is Bakersfield, CA from La Palma, CA?

The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to La Palma, CA is about 132 miles (212.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 119.1 miles (191.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
132.07 mi
02h 36m
Flight
119.1 mi
191.67 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bakersfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
119.1 mi
Kilometers
191.67 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
132.07 mi
Kilometers
212.55 km
Drive Time
02h 36m

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 02h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Palma
Sun, Apr 19, 12:50 AM PDT
Return by in Bakersfield
Sun, Apr 19, 3:26 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bakersfield
2026-04-18T22:14
Arrive La Palma
Sun, Apr 19, 12:50 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:18 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bakersfield
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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
Val Verde
CA

Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California

From Bakersfield
66.1 mi
01h 18m
To La Palma
66 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph W
Destination
80°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and La Palma.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and La Palma.

  1. 1

    Start on Truxtun Avenue

    670 ft · 20 sec · Truxtun Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto L Street

    1710 ft · 51 sec · L Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto California Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · California Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward CA 99 South

    1049 ft · 26 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway

    24.7 mi · 27 min · Golden State Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South

    1354 ft · 18 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    24.7 mi · 29 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway

    13.1 mi · 15 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Carmenita Road

    1840 ft · 47 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Carmenita Road

    2.7 mi · 5 min · Carmenita Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Moody Street

    2663 ft · 57 sec · Moody Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto La Palma Avenue

    60 m · 4 sec · La Palma Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · La Palma Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and La Palma.

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
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Golden State Freeway
88.2 mi · 67%
I 405 South
25 mi · 19%
Santa Ana Freeway
13.1 mi · 10%
Carmenita Road
3.09 mi · 2%
California Avenue
1.48 mi · 1%
Moody Street
0.5 mi
Longest Stretch

Golden State Freeway

Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

58.2 mi · 01h 07m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.9 mi
119.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Val Verde
01h 18m from Bakersfield
Leave By
1:18 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near La Palma.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to La Palma?

The road trip is about 132 miles (212.5 km) and usually takes 02h 36m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Val Verde is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.1 miles from Bakersfield and 66 miles from La Palma.

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

The direct path is about 119.1 miles (191.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:18 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.88 one way or $53.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near La Palma.

Stop Ideas Near Val Verde

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

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

RAIL

Santa Clarita-Newhall, California

14 mi away
24300 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Simi Valley

20 mi away
5050 Los Angeles Avenue
RAIL

Chatsworth station

22 mi away
10040 Old Depot Plaza Road
BUS

Fillmore, California

24 mi away
718 West Ventura St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and La Palma. Straight-line distance: 119.1 mi (191.67 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
La Palma

#2 La Palma

City

Population15,415
Coordinates33.8464000, -118.0467300
Altitude14
CountryUnited States
Start: Bakersfield (-119.01871, 35.37329)
End: La Palma (-118.04673, 33.8464)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 213 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.66 gal
17.64 L · about $26.88
Round trip
$53.77
9.32 gal · 35.28 L
Estimated CO2
41.4 kg one way
Round trip: 82.8 kg / 183 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $26.88 $53.77
Mid-grade $6.07 $28.27 $56.54
Premium $6.24 $29.09 $58.18
Diesel $7.57 $35.26 $70.52

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Bakersfield and La Palma. The current time is 22:14:26.

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.