How far is Bakersfield, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Santa Maria, CA is about 121.6 miles (195.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.1 miles (137 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 12m 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 36m.
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.
City in Kern County, California, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Santa Maria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Santa Maria.
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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 3 toward Enos Lane
99 m · 4 sec · Enos Lane
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Enos Lane
5.9 mi · 9 min · Enos Lane
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Enos Lane
88 m · 6 sec · Enos Lane
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9
Turn straight onto Taft Highway
16.7 mi · 23 min · Taft Highway
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10
Continue on West Side Highway
5.7 mi · 8 min · West Side Highway
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11
Continue on California Street
2112 ft · 56 sec · California Street
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto Poso Street
596 ft · 11 sec · Poso Street
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13
Continue on West Side Highway
75.8 mi · 1 hr 29 min · West Side Highway
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14
Take the exit left
1177 ft · 29 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
1 km · 45 sec · El Camino Real
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16
Take the exit slight right toward CA 135 South
1612 ft · 39 sec
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17
Turn straight onto North Broadway
1.9 mi · 3 min · North Broadway
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18
Turn left onto East Main Street
37 m · 12 sec · East Main Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Santa Maria.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
West Side Highway
Continue on West Side Highway
75.8 mi · 01h 29m
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.
Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Sunny near Santa Maria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Santa Maria?
The road trip is about 121.6 miles (195.7 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?
Maricopa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.7 miles from Bakersfield and 60.9 miles from Santa Maria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.1 miles (137 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.86 one way or $53.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Santa Maria.
Stop Ideas Near Maricopa
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 Maricopa.
Bakersfield
Wasco station
Carpinteria station
Santa Barbara
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Santa Maria. Straight-line distance: 85.14 mi (137.02 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 Maria
Situated in northern Santa Barbara County at an elevation of 220 feet, this city lies within a wide coastal valley between the Pacific Ocean and inland mountain ranges.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.9530300, -120.4357200 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Maria (-120.43572, 34.95303)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 196 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $26.86 | $53.72 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $27.88 | $55.76 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $28.70 | $57.39 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $36.09 | $72.18 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026