How far is Bakersfield, CA from Monterey, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Monterey, CA is about 222.9 miles (358.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.8 miles (292.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 57m 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 28m.
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 San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Monterey.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Monterey.
-
1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
670 ft · 24 sec · Truxtun Avenue
-
2
Continue on Truxtun Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Truxtun Avenue
-
3
Take the ramp straight toward CA 58: Westside Parkway West
2888 ft · 1 min
-
4
Continue on Westside Parkway
6.6 mi · 8 min · Westside Parkway
-
5
Continue on Stockdale Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Stockdale Highway
-
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Stockdale Highway
46 m · 2 sec · Stockdale Highway
-
7
Exit the roundabout onto Stockdale Highway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Stockdale Highway
-
8
Take the exit straight toward I 5 North
2621 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
24.8 mi · 27 min · Westside Freeway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 46: Lost Hills, Paso Robles
1799 ft · 28 sec
-
11
Turn left onto Paso Robles Highway
2.6 mi · 4 min · Paso Robles Highway
-
12
Continue straight
1539 ft · 20 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto Paso Robles Highway
29.7 mi · 35 min · Paso Robles Highway
-
14
Continue on Antelope Road
6.8 mi · 9 min · Antelope Road
-
15
Keep slight right
24.4 mi · 29 min
-
16
Take the exit right
1183 ft · 29 sec
-
17
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
94.5 mi · 1 hr 49 min · El Camino Real
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward Fairview Avenue
948 ft · 27 sec
-
19
Turn left onto Fairview Avenue
773 ft · 17 sec · Fairview Avenue
-
20
Turn left onto South Sanborn Road
1.3 km · 1 min · South Sanborn Road
-
21
Continue on East Blanco Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · East Blanco Road
-
22
Turn left onto South Main Street
3198 ft · 47 sec · South Main Street
-
23
Continue on Monterey Salinas Highway
15.6 mi · 20 min · Monterey Salinas Highway
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward Monterey
1616 ft · 40 sec
-
25
Keep slight left
69 m · 8 sec
-
26
Continue on Fremont Street
3063 ft · 1 min · Fremont Street
-
27
Continue on Fremont Street
59 m · 5 sec · Fremont Street
-
28
Continue on Munras Avenue
926 ft · 30 sec · Munras Avenue
-
29
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
534 ft · 21 sec · Jefferson Street
-
30
Turn right onto Pacific Street
704 ft · 18 sec · Pacific Street
-
31
Turn right onto West Franklin Street
99 m · 8 sec · West Franklin Street
-
32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Franklin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Monterey.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
El Camino Real
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
94.5 mi · 01h 49m
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 Sunny near Monterey.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Monterey?
The road trip is about 222.9 miles (358.8 km) and usually takes 04h 28m 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?
Paso Robles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.4 miles from Bakersfield and 111.5 miles from Monterey.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.8 miles (292.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.1 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 8:02 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.40 one way or $90.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Monterey.
Stop Ideas Near Paso Robles
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Carlton Hotel
Home2 Suites by Hilton Atascadero
City Hall Parking Lot
Paso Robles Water & Sewer
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Paso Robles.
Paso Robles station
Atascadero, California
San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), California
San Luis Obispo
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Monterey. Straight-line distance: 181.76 mi (292.51 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 Monterey
City in California, United States
| Population | 28,511 |
| Coordinates | 36.6002400, -121.8946800 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Monterey (-121.89468, 36.60024)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 359 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $45.40 | $90.80 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $47.74 | $95.48 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $49.13 | $98.26 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $59.55 | $119.10 |
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.