How far is Bakersfield, CA from San Luis Obispo, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 33m 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 46m.
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 San Luis Obispo County, California
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 San Luis Obispo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and San Luis Obispo.
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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
Take the exit left toward US 101
940 ft · 23 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
27.6 mi · 32 min · El Camino Real
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Monterey Street
747 ft · 22 sec
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19
Turn left onto Buena Vista Avenue
701 ft · 21 sec · Buena Vista Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Monterey Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Monterey Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Monterey Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and San Luis Obispo.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near San Luis Obispo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to San Luis Obispo?
The road trip is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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?
Shandon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.3 miles from Bakersfield and 68.4 miles from San Luis Obispo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.9 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 12:56 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.81 one way or $55.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near San Luis Obispo.
Stop Ideas Near Shandon
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 Shandon.
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 San Luis Obispo. Straight-line distance: 92.71 mi (149.2 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 San Luis Obispo
A city in San Luis Obispo County, California.
| Population | 47,590 |
| Coordinates | 35.2827500, -120.6596200 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Luis Obispo (-120.65962, 35.28275)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 220 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $27.81 | $55.61 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $29.24 | $58.48 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $30.09 | $60.18 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $36.47 | $72.95 |
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.