How far is Bakersfield, CA from Shafter, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Shafter, CA is about 18.8 miles (30.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.7 miles (26.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 24m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Kern 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 Shafter.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Shafter.
-
1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
670 ft · 24 sec · Truxtun Avenue
-
2
Continue on Truxtun Avenue
747 ft · 27 sec · Truxtun Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto Chester Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Chester Avenue
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Golden State Road
591 ft · 12 sec · Golden State Road
-
5
Exit the roundabout onto Golden State Road
130 m · 9 sec · Golden State Road
-
6
Take the ramp straight
120 m · 11 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Golden State Avenue
1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue
-
8
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
-
9
Continue on Golden State Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Golden State Highway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Lerdo Highway
1338 ft · 35 sec
-
11
Turn left onto Lerdo Highway
6.2 mi · 8 min · Lerdo Highway
-
12
Turn right onto Central Valley Highway
129 m · 12 sec · Central Valley Highway
-
13
Turn left onto Jackson Avenue
14 m · 2 sec · Jackson Avenue
-
14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Jackson Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Shafter.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Lerdo Highway
Turn left onto Lerdo Highway
6.17 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near Shafter.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Shafter?
The road trip is about 18.8 miles (30.3 km) and usually takes 00h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Oildale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.4 miles from Bakersfield and 9.4 miles from Shafter.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.7 miles (26.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:42 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.87 one way or $7.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near Shafter.
Stop Ideas Near Oildale
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 Oildale.
Bakersfield
Wasco station
Tehachapi, California
Mojave, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Shafter. Straight-line distance: 16.74 mi (26.94 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 Shafter
City in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 20,739 |
| Coordinates | 35.5005100, -119.2717800 |
| Altitude | 106 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shafter (-119.27178, 35.50051)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 30 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $3.87 | $7.73 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $4.06 | $8.13 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $4.18 | $8.37 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $5.07 | $10.14 |
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.