How far is Bakersfield, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Santa Clara, CA is about 246.1 miles (396.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 213.1 miles (343 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 29m 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 44m.
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.
Census-designated place in Fresno County, California
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 Santa Clara.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Santa Clara.
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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
-
11
Continue straight
28.7 mi · 33 min
-
12
Keep slight right
11.9 mi · 17 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: San Jose
2466 ft · 1 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi · 23 min · South Valley Freeway
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15
Keep slight left
12.4 mi · 14 min
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16
Take the exit right toward I 880 South: Los Gatos, Santa Cruz
731 ft · 20 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Nimitz Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Coleman Avenue, Mineta San Jose International Airport
1554 ft · 42 sec
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19
Turn right onto Coleman Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Coleman Avenue
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20
Turn slight left onto CA 82: Santa Clara
1503 ft · 55 sec
-
21
Turn straight onto De La Cruz Boulevard
114 m · 6 sec · De La Cruz Boulevard
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22
Turn slight right onto Civic Center, El Camino Real
721 ft · 28 sec
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23
Turn left onto El Camino Real
3163 ft · 1 min · El Camino Real
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24
Turn right onto Lincoln Street
643 ft · 18 sec · Lincoln Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Santa Clara?
The road trip is about 246.1 miles (396.1 km) and usually takes 04h 44m 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?
Tranquillity is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123 miles from Bakersfield and 123 miles from Santa Clara.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 213.1 miles (343 km), while the road route adds roughly 33 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 7:30 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.07 one way or $100.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Chance Light Rain near Santa Clara.
Stop Ideas Near Tranquillity
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 Tranquillity.
Madera
Fresno station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Lemoore, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Santa Clara. Straight-line distance: 213.11 mi (342.97 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 Clara
The third most populous city in Santa Clara County, California.
| Population | 131,055 |
| Coordinates | 37.3541100, -121.9552400 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Clara (-121.95524, 37.35411)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 396 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $50.07 | $100.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $52.65 | $105.31 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $54.19 | $108.38 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $65.68 | $131.36 |
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.