How far is Bakersfield, CA from Santa Cruz, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Santa Cruz, CA is about 245.6 miles (395.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 201.1 miles (323.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 33m 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 46m.
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
Slight Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Santa Cruz.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Santa Cruz.
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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
7.4 mi · 10 min
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13
Turn left onto Bloomfield Avenue
3.2 mi · 5 min · Bloomfield Avenue
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14
At the end of the road, turn right onto Bloomfield Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · Bloomfield Avenue
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15
Take the ramp left
1205 ft · 16 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto South Valley Freeway
2.9 mi · 3 min · South Valley Freeway
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17
Continue on El Camino Real
2.3 mi · 3 min · El Camino Real
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18
Take the exit slight right toward CA 129 West: Watsonville, Santa Cruz
1435 ft · 19 sec
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19
Turn right onto Chittenden Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · Chittenden Road
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20
Continue on Riverside Road
8.6 mi · 12 min · Riverside Road
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Riverside Road
44 m · 2 sec · Riverside Road
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Riverside Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Riverside Road
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23
Turn right onto Blackburn Street
2243 ft · 1 min · Blackburn Street
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24
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Lake Avenue
2844 ft · 55 sec · East Lake Avenue
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25
Turn right onto Main Street
1560 ft · 30 sec · Main Street
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26
Turn left onto Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Main Street
-
27
Take the ramp straight
1260 ft · 31 sec
-
28
Merge slight left onto Cabrillo Highway
14.5 mi · 17 min · Cabrillo Highway
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29
Keep slight right to continue on Cabrillo Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Cabrillo Highway
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30
Continue on Chestnut Street Extension
1153 ft · 28 sec · Chestnut Street Extension
-
31
Continue on Chestnut Street
37 m · 12 sec · Chestnut Street
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32
Turn right
16 m · 4 sec
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Santa Cruz.
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 Slight Chance Light Rain near Santa Cruz.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Santa Cruz?
The road trip is about 245.6 miles (395.2 km) and usually takes 04h 46m 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 122.8 miles from Bakersfield and 122.8 miles from Santa Cruz.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 201.1 miles (323.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.5 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 7:26 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.96 one way or $99.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Slight Chance Light Rain near Santa Cruz.
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 Cruz. Straight-line distance: 201.12 mi (323.67 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 Cruz
The most populous city in Santa Cruz County, California.
| Population | 64,317 |
| Coordinates | 36.9741200, -122.0308000 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Cruz (-122.0308, 36.97412)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 395 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $49.96 | $99.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $52.53 | $105.06 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $54.06 | $108.13 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $65.53 | $131.06 |
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.