How far is Bakersfield, CA from Lake Nacimiento, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Lake Nacimiento, CA is about 123.2 miles (198.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.4 miles (172.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 37m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census-designated place in Kern County, California
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 Lake Nacimiento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Lake Nacimiento.
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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
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9
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
24.8 mi · 27 min · Westside Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 46: Lost Hills, Paso Robles
1799 ft · 28 sec
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11
Turn left onto Paso Robles Highway
2.6 mi · 4 min · Paso Robles Highway
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12
Continue straight
1539 ft · 20 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Paso Robles Highway
29.7 mi · 35 min · Paso Robles Highway
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14
Continue on Antelope Road
6.8 mi · 9 min · Antelope Road
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15
Keep slight right
24.5 mi · 29 min
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16
Continue on 24th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · 24th Street
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17
Continue on Nacimiento Lake Drive
7.5 mi · 10 min · Nacimiento Lake Drive
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18
Continue on Nacimiento Lake Drive
4.5 mi · 8 min · Nacimiento Lake Drive
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19
Turn left onto Gateway Drive
1.4 mi · 4 min · Gateway Drive
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20
Turn right onto Heritage Fire Road
2594 ft · 1 min · Heritage Fire Road
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21
Turn right onto Equestrian Road
2399 ft · 2 min · Equestrian Road
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Equestrian Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Lake Nacimiento.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Paso Robles Highway
Merge slight left onto Paso Robles Highway
29.7 mi · 00h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Sunny near Lake Nacimiento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Lake Nacimiento?
The road trip is about 123.2 miles (198.2 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?
Lost Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.5 miles from Bakersfield and 61.6 miles from Lake Nacimiento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.4 miles (172.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.8 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 1:14 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.10 one way or $50.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Lake Nacimiento.
Stop Ideas Near Lost Hills
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 Lost Hills.
Wasco station
Kettleman City, California
Corcoran station
Bakersfield
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Lake Nacimiento. Straight-line distance: 107.45 mi (172.92 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 Lake Nacimiento
Census designated place
| Population | 2,411 |
| Coordinates | 35.7283000, -120.8796300 |
| Altitude | 300 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Nacimiento (-120.87963, 35.7283)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 198 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $25.10 | $50.19 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $26.39 | $52.77 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $27.16 | $54.31 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $32.92 | $65.83 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.