How far is Bakersfield, CA from Santa Monica, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Santa Monica, CA is about 112 miles (180.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 98.2 miles (158.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 20m 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 10m.
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 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 Monica.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Santa Monica.
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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
58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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9
Keep slight right
18.8 mi · 22 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Los Angeles, Santa Monica
922 ft · 22 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 West: Santa Monica
2108 ft · 47 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 1 South: Lincoln Boulevard
1062 ft · 26 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Olympic Boulevard
146 m · 15 sec · Olympic Boulevard
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15
Turn right onto Lincoln Boulevard
2126 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Santa Monica.
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
58.2 mi · 01h 07m
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 Monica.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Santa Monica?
The road trip is about 112 miles (180.3 km) and usually takes 02h 10m 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?
Lebec is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.1 miles from Bakersfield and 56 miles from Santa Monica.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 98.2 miles (158.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.8 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 2:10 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.79 one way or $45.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Santa Monica.
Stop Ideas Near Lebec
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 Lebec.
Fillmore, California
Tehachapi, California
Santa Paula, California
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Santa Monica. Straight-line distance: 98.23 mi (158.08 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 Monica
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 90,024 |
| Coordinates | 34.0194500, -118.4911900 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Monica (-118.49119, 34.01945)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 180 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $22.79 | $45.58 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $23.96 | $47.92 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $24.66 | $49.32 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $29.89 | $59.78 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.