How far is Bakersfield, CA from Lafayette, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Lafayette, CA is about 268 miles (431.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 244.3 miles (393.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 01m 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 00m.
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
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Lafayette.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Lafayette.
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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
-
9
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
192.7 mi · 3 hr 27 min · Westside Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
15.9 mi · 17 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
-
12
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek
857 ft · 16 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacramento
1614 ft · 30 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Donald D Doyle Highway
15.3 mi · 18 min · Donald D Doyle Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette
79 m · 6 sec
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
19
Continue straight
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward Central Lafayette, Moraga, Rheem Saint Marys College
1859 ft · 49 sec
-
21
Turn right onto Deer Hill Road
124 m · 13 sec · Deer Hill Road
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22
Turn right onto 1st Street
1158 ft · 45 sec · 1st Street
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23
Turn right onto Mount Diablo Boulevard
681 ft · 21 sec · Mount Diablo Boulevard
-
24
Turn left onto Moraga Road
2306 ft · 58 sec · Moraga Road
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25
Turn left onto Saint Mary's Road
13 m · 1 sec · Saint Mary's Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Saint Mary's Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Lafayette.
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
193 mi · 03h 27m
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 Chance Light Rain near Lafayette.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Lafayette?
The road trip is about 268 miles (431.3 km) and usually takes 05h 00m 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 134 miles from Bakersfield and 134 miles from Lafayette.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 244.3 miles (393.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.7 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 6:58 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $54.57 one way or $109.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Chance Light Rain near Lafayette.
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 Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 244.24 mi (393.06 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 Lafayette
City in California
| Population | 25,992 |
| Coordinates | 37.8857600, -122.1180200 |
| Altitude | 94 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lafayette (-122.11802, 37.88576)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 431 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $54.57 | $109.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $57.38 | $114.77 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $59.06 | $118.12 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $71.58 | $143.17 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.