How far is Bakersfield, CA from Santa Barbara, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is about 147.1 miles (236.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.2 miles (122.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 53m 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 56m.
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 Los Angeles 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 Santa Barbara.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Santa Barbara.
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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
48.7 mi · 56 min · Golden State Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 126 West: Newhall Ranch Road
1828 ft · 49 sec
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8
Turn right onto Korean War Veterans' Memorial Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Korean War Veterans' Memorial Highway
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9
Turn straight onto Henry Mayo Drive
4.3 mi · 5 min · Henry Mayo Drive
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10
Continue on East Telegraph Road
12.7 mi · 16 min · East Telegraph Road
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11
Continue on Ventura Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · Ventura Street
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12
Continue on West Telegraph Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Telegraph Road
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13
Continue on Santa Paula Freeway
13.6 mi · 16 min · Santa Paula Freeway
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14
Continue on Ventura Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Ventura Freeway
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15
Continue on El Camino Real
11.8 mi · 14 min · El Camino Real
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Laguna Street, Garden Street
1044 ft · 25 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Garden Street-Downtown
741 ft · 22 sec
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18
Turn right onto Garden Street
2364 ft · 1 min · Garden Street
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19
Turn left onto East de la Guerra Street
157 m · 20 sec · East de la Guerra Street
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20
Turn right onto Santa Barbara Street
16 m · 7 sec · Santa Barbara Street
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21
Turn left onto East De La Guerra Street
157 m · 25 sec · East De La Guerra Street
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22
Turn left onto Anacapa Street
13 m · 1 sec · Anacapa Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Anacapa Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Santa Barbara.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
48.7 mi · 00h 56m
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 Santa Barbara.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Santa Barbara?
The road trip is about 147.1 miles (236.8 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?
Val Verde is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.6 miles from Bakersfield and 73.6 miles from Santa Barbara.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.2 miles (122.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 70.9 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 12:36 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.94 one way or $59.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near Santa Barbara.
Stop Ideas Near Val Verde
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 Val Verde.
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Simi Valley
Chatsworth station
Fillmore, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Santa Barbara. Straight-line distance: 76.25 mi (122.71 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 Santa Barbara
The most populous city in Santa Barbara County, California.
| Population | 90,254 |
| Coordinates | 34.4208300, -119.6981900 |
| Altitude | 15 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Barbara (-119.69819, 34.42083)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 237 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $29.94 | $59.88 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $31.48 | $62.97 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $32.40 | $64.80 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $39.27 | $78.55 |
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.