How far is Bakersfield, CA from Vacaville, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Vacaville, CA is about 303 miles (487.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 263.5 miles (424 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 20m 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 40m.
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 Merced County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Vacaville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Vacaville.
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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
192.7 mi · 3 hr 27 min · Westside Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
15.9 mi · 17 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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12
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek
857 ft · 16 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacramento
1614 ft · 30 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Donald D Doyle Highway
15.2 mi · 18 min · Donald D Doyle Highway
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17
Continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
5 mi · 6 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
6 mi · 7 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
74 m · 3 sec · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Benicia-Martinez Bridge
2053 ft · 27 sec · Benicia-Martinez Bridge
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22
Continue on Luther E Gibson Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Luther E Gibson Freeway
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23
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
2286 ft · 56 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10.9 mi · 13 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward Davis Street
1148 ft · 30 sec
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27
Turn left onto Davis Street
2536 ft · 1 min · Davis Street
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28
Turn left onto Mason Street
924 ft · 18 sec · Mason Street
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29
Turn slight right
32 m · 6 sec
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30
Turn right onto Merchant Street
829 ft · 28 sec · Merchant Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Merchant Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Vacaville.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
193 mi · 03h 27m
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 Chance Light Rain near Vacaville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Vacaville?
The road trip is about 303 miles (487.7 km) and usually takes 05h 40m 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?
South Dos Palos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.6 miles from Bakersfield and 151.5 miles from Vacaville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 263.5 miles (424 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.5 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 5:40 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $61.67 one way or $123.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Chance Light Rain near Vacaville.
Stop Ideas Near South Dos Palos
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 South Dos Palos.
Merced station
Madera
Denair station
Fresno station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Vacaville. Straight-line distance: 263.45 mi (423.98 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 Vacaville
The most populous city in Solano County, California.
| Population | 101,332 |
| Coordinates | 38.3565800, -121.9877400 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vacaville (-121.98774, 38.35658)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 488 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $61.67 | $123.34 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $64.85 | $129.69 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $66.74 | $133.48 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $80.89 | $161.78 |
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 · 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.