How far is Bakersfield, CA from Stanford, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Stanford, CA is about 259.7 miles (417.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225.2 miles (362.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 04m 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 05h 02m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Stanford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Stanford.
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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
11.9 mi · 17 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: San Jose
2466 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi · 23 min · South Valley Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View
18.4 mi · 21 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 280 North, I 280 South: San Jose, San Francisco
2744 ft · 1 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 280 North: San Francisco
3159 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Junipero Serra Freeway
7 mi · 8 min · Junipero Serra Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Page Mill Road, Palo Alto
2185 ft · 51 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Page Mill Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Page Mill Road
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21
Turn left onto Peter Coutts Road
2982 ft · 1 min · Peter Coutts Road
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22
At the end of the road, turn right onto Stanford Avenue
744 ft · 33 sec · Stanford Avenue
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23
Turn left onto Bowdoin Street
1931 ft · 55 sec · Bowdoin Street
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Campus Drive East
54 m · 5 sec · Campus Drive East
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25
Exit the roundabout onto Campus Drive East
1061 ft · 42 sec · Campus Drive East
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26
Turn right onto Arguello Mall
69 m · 17 sec · Arguello Mall
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27
Turn left onto Bowdoin Lane
99 m · 14 sec · Bowdoin Lane
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bowdoin Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Stanford.
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 Sunny near Stanford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Stanford?
The road trip is about 259.7 miles (417.9 km) and usually takes 05h 02m 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?
Mendota is a useful midpoint, sitting about 129.8 miles from Bakersfield and 129.9 miles from Stanford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225.2 miles (362.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 6:56 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $52.84 one way or $105.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Stanford.
Stop Ideas Near Mendota
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 Mendota.
Madera
Fresno station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Merced station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Stanford. Straight-line distance: 225.18 mi (362.39 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 Stanford
Private research university located in Stanford, California, United States
| Population | 13,809 |
| Coordinates | 37.4241100, -122.1660800 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Stanford (-122.16608, 37.42411)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 418 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $52.84 | $105.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $55.56 | $111.13 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $57.19 | $114.37 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $69.31 | $138.63 |
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.