How far is Bakersfield, CA from National City, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to National City, CA is about 236.7 miles (380.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216.2 miles (348 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 18m 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 39m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and National City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and National City.
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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
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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
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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
62.4 mi · 1 hr 13 min · San Diego Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
-
28
Continue on Jacob Dekema Freeway
16.4 mi · 19 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Palm Avenue, 47th Street
1652 ft · 40 sec
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30
Keep slight right
50 m · 4 sec
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31
Turn right onto South 47th Street
46 m · 3 sec · South 47th Street
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32
Continue on North Palm Avenue
911 ft · 24 sec · North Palm Avenue
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33
Turn right onto Division Street
2387 ft · 55 sec · Division Street
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34
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
2659 ft · 51 sec · Highland Avenue
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35
Turn right onto East 8th Street
42 m · 7 sec · East 8th Street
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36
Turn right
12 m · 3 sec
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and National City.
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
62.4 mi · 01h 13m
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 Mostly Sunny near National City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to National City?
The road trip is about 236.7 miles (380.9 km) and usually takes 04h 39m 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?
Commerce is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.4 miles from Bakersfield and 118.2 miles from National City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216.2 miles (348 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.5 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 7:42 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.17 one way or $96.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near National City.
Stop Ideas Near Commerce
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 Commerce.
Los Angeles Union Station
Glendale Transportation Center
Pasadena, California
Torrance, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and National City. Straight-line distance: 216.22 mi (347.98 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 National City
The most populous city in San Diego County, California.
| Population | 61,394 |
| Coordinates | 32.6781100, -117.0992000 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| Country | United States |
End: National City (-117.0992, 32.67811)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 381 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $48.17 | $96.34 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $50.65 | $101.30 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $52.13 | $104.26 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $63.18 | $126.37 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.