How far is Bakersfield, CA from Portola Valley, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Portola Valley, CA is about 264.2 miles (425.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226.5 miles (364.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 13m 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 06m.
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 Portola Valley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Portola Valley.
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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
149.6 mi · 2 hr 40 min · Westside Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
1038 ft · 27 sec
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11
Continue straight
28.7 mi · 33 min
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12
Keep slight right
11.9 mi · 17 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: San Jose
2466 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi · 23 min · South Valley Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View
18.4 mi · 21 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 280 North, I 280 South: San Jose, San Francisco
2744 ft · 1 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 280 North: San Francisco
3159 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Junipero Serra Freeway
10.7 mi · 12 min · Junipero Serra Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Sand Hill Road
842 ft · 20 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Sand Hill Road East, Menlo Park, Atherton, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
832 ft · 22 sec
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21
Continue on Sand Hill Road
46 m · 11 sec · Sand Hill Road
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22
Continue on Sand Hill Road
1515 ft · 32 sec · Sand Hill Road
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23
Continue on Sand Hill Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Sand Hill Road
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24
Continue on Portola Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Portola Road
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25
Turn right onto Wayside Road
47 m · 7 sec · Wayside Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wayside Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Portola Valley.
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
150 mi · 02h 40m
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 Portola Valley.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Portola Valley?
The road trip is about 264.2 miles (425.2 km) and usually takes 05h 06m 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 132.1 miles from Bakersfield and 132.1 miles from Portola Valley.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226.5 miles (364.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.7 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 6:46 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.77 one way or $107.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Chance Light Rain near Portola Valley.
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 Portola Valley. Straight-line distance: 226.51 mi (364.53 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 Portola Valley
Town in California
| Population | 4,528 |
| Coordinates | 37.3841100, -122.2352400 |
| Altitude | 140 |
| Country | United States |
End: Portola Valley (-122.23524, 37.38411)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 425 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $53.77 | $107.53 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $56.54 | $113.07 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $58.18 | $116.37 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $70.52 | $141.05 |
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.