How far is Buellton, CA from Bakersfield, CA?

The driving distance from Buellton, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 153.5 miles (247 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 84.7 miles (136.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
153.51 mi
02h 46m
Flight
84.68 mi
136.28 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Buellton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
84.68 mi
Kilometers
136.28 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
153.51 mi
Kilometers
247.05 km
Drive Time
02h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bakersfield
Fri, Apr 17, 7:45 PM PDT
Return by in Buellton
Fri, Apr 17, 10:31 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Buellton
2026-04-17T16:59
Arrive Bakersfield
Fri, Apr 17, 7:45 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:46 AM to 12:46 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:58 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Buellton
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Taft Heights
CA

Census designated place

From Buellton
76.7 mi
01h 23m
To Bakersfield
76.9 mi
01h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNW
Destination
76°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Buellton and Bakersfield.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buellton and Bakersfield.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    49 m · 17 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left

    1093 ft · 28 sec

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward US 101 North

    981 ft · 24 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    34.2 mi · 39 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 166 East

    1223 ft · 31 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Cuyama Highway

    75.7 mi · 1 hr 29 min · Cuyama Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Poso Street

    596 ft · 19 sec · Poso Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto California Street

    2112 ft · 52 sec · California Street

  9. 9

    Continue on West Side Highway

    5.7 mi · 8 min · West Side Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Taft Highway

    16.7 mi · 23 min · Taft Highway

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward SR 119/SR43 Taft Hwy Roundabout

    95 m · 5 sec · Enos Lane

  12. 12

    Exit the rotary onto Enos Lane

    5.9 mi · 9 min · Enos Lane

  13. 13

    Take the ramp slight right toward CA 58

    1031 ft · 35 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Stockdale Highway

    4.2 mi · 6 min · Stockdale Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Westside Parkway

    6.7 mi · 8 min · Westside Parkway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right

    2846 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Truxtun Avenue

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Truxtun Avenue

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Buellton and Bakersfield.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Cuyama Highway
75.7 mi · 49%
US 101 North
34.4 mi · 22%
Taft Highway
16.7 mi · 11%
Westside Parkway
7.28 mi · 5%
Enos Lane
5.91 mi · 4%
West Side Highway
5.72 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Cuyama Highway

Turn right onto Cuyama Highway

75.7 mi · 01h 29m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+68.8 mi
84.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Taft Heights
01h 23m from Buellton
Leave By
12:58 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Buellton and Sunny near Bakersfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Buellton to Bakersfield?

The road trip is about 153.5 miles (247 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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?

Taft Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.7 miles from Buellton and 76.9 miles from Bakersfield.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 84.7 miles (136.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 68.8 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 12:58 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.27 one way or $62.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Buellton and Sunny near Bakersfield.

Stop Ideas Near Taft Heights

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Taft Heights, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Taft Heights.

RAIL

Bakersfield

49 mi away
601 Truxtun Ave
RAIL

Wasco station

53 mi away
700 G Street
RAIL

Carpinteria station

82 mi away
475 Linden at Fifth Street
RAIL

Santa Barbara

83 mi away
209 State Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Buellton and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 84.68 mi (136.28 km).

Buellton

#1 Buellton

City in Santa Barbara County, California

Population5,449
Coordinates34.6136000, -120.1926500
Altitude109
CountryUnited States
Bakersfield

#2 Bakersfield

The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Bakersfield metropolitan area.

Population385,725
Coordinates35.3732900, -119.0187100
Altitude123
CountryUnited States
Start: CA 246 (-120.192885, 34.613198)
End: Truxtun Avenue (-119.01871, 35.373244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 247 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.42 gal
20.51 L · about $31.27
Round trip
$62.54
10.84 gal · 41.02 L
Estimated CO2
48.2 kg one way
Round trip: 96.3 kg / 212 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $31.27 $62.54
Mid-grade $6.07 $32.88 $65.76
Premium $6.24 $33.84 $67.67
Diesel $7.57 $41.01 $82.03

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Buellton and Bakersfield. The current time is 16:59:20.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.