How far is Bakersfield, CA from Waterford, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Waterford, CA is about 195.9 miles (315.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 184.2 miles (296.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 42m 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 03h 51m.
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 Fresno County, California, United States
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 Waterford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Waterford.
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1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
670 ft · 24 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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2
Continue on Truxtun Avenue
747 ft · 27 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Chester Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Chester Avenue
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Golden State Road
591 ft · 12 sec · Golden State Road
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Golden State Road
130 m · 9 sec · Golden State Road
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6
Take the ramp straight
120 m · 11 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Golden State Avenue
1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue
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8
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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9
Continue on Golden State Highway
111.4 mi · 2 hr · Golden State Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
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11
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
28.2 mi · 33 min · Northbound California State Route 99
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Atwater Boulevard
1940 ft · 47 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Atwater Boulevard
63 m · 7 sec · Atwater Boulevard
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15
Turn right onto Shaffer Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Shaffer Road
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16
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
12.1 mi · 18 min · Santa Fe Drive
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17
Continue on Santa Fe Avenue
1701 ft · 35 sec · Santa Fe Avenue
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18
Turn sharp right onto East Avenue
1254 ft · 27 sec · East Avenue
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19
Turn left onto North Hickman Road
10.1 mi · 18 min · North Hickman Road
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20
Continue on F Street
970 ft · 20 sec · F Street
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21
Keep slight right to continue on F Street
14 m · 2 sec · F Street
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22
Turn right onto E Street
130 m · 24 sec · E Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · E Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Waterford.
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 Highway
Continue on Golden State Highway
111 mi · 02h 00m
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 Mostly Sunny near Waterford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Waterford?
The road trip is about 195.9 miles (315.2 km) and usually takes 03h 51m 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?
Fowler is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98 miles from Bakersfield and 97.9 miles from Waterford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 184.2 miles (296.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.7 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 9:18 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.86 one way or $79.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Mostly Sunny near Waterford.
Stop Ideas Near Fowler
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 Fowler.
Fresno station
Hanford station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Goshen Junction, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Waterford. Straight-line distance: 184.15 mi (296.36 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 Waterford
City in Stanislaus County, California, United States
| Population | 8,944 |
| Coordinates | 37.6413200, -120.7604800 |
| Altitude | 52 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waterford (-120.76048, 37.64132)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 315 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $39.86 | $79.73 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $41.92 | $83.83 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $43.14 | $86.28 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $52.29 | $104.58 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.