How far is Fullerton, CA from Bakersfield, CA?

The driving distance from Fullerton, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 137.2 miles (220.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 22m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 121 miles (194.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 45m 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
137.19 mi
02h 22m
Flight
121.03 mi
194.78 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fullerton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
121.03 mi
Kilometers
194.78 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
137.19 mi
Kilometers
220.78 km
Drive Time
02h 22m

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 22m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bakersfield
Mon, May 4, 9:03 AM PDT
Return by in Fullerton
Mon, May 4, 11:26 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fullerton
2026-05-04T06:41
Arrive Bakersfield
Mon, May 4, 9:03 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 22m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:23 AM to 12:23 PM PDT

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

Leave by
1:44 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fullerton
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
Val Verde
CA

Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California

From Fullerton
68.6 mi
01h 11m
To Bakersfield
68.5 mi
01h 11m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Monday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
71°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Commonwealth Avenue

    95 m · 13 sec · West Commonwealth Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Harbor Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · South Harbor Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward CA 91 West

    1520 ft · 39 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Riverside Freeway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles

    1.3 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway

    17.8 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway

    25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    36.1 mi · 42 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    25.3 mi · 28 min · Golden State Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward California Avenue

    1301 ft · 36 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto California Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · California Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Chester Avenue

    1765 ft · 39 sec · Chester Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue

    6 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fullerton 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
17 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Golden State Freeway
75.2 mi · 55%
I 5 Truck North
37.7 mi · 27%
Santa Ana Freeway
17.8 mi · 13%
Riverside Freeway
2.34 mi · 2%
California Avenue
1.46 mi · 1%
South Harbor Boulevard
1.11 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 5 Truck North

Keep slight left

36.1 mi · 00h 42m

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 22m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.2 mi
121 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Val Verde
01h 11m from Fullerton
Leave By
1:44 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Fullerton and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain near Bakersfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 137.2 miles (220.8 km) and usually takes 02h 22m 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?

Val Verde is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.6 miles from Fullerton and 68.5 miles from Bakersfield.

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

The direct path is about 121 miles (194.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.2 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 1:44 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.92 one way or $55.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Fullerton and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain near Bakersfield.

Stop Ideas Near Val Verde

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Val Verde, 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 Val Verde.

RAIL

Santa Clarita-Newhall, California

14 mi away
24300 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Simi Valley

20 mi away
5050 Los Angeles Avenue
RAIL

Chatsworth station

22 mi away
10040 Old Depot Plaza Road
BUS

Fillmore, California

24 mi away
718 West Ventura St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fullerton and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 121.03 mi (194.78 km).

Fullerton

#1 Fullerton

The eighth most populous city in Orange County, California.

Population139,921
Coordinates33.8702900, -117.9253400
Altitude50
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: West Commonwealth Avenue (-117.92534, 33.87034)
End: Truxtun Avenue (-119.01871, 35.373244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 221 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.84 gal
18.32 L · about $27.92
Round trip
$55.84
9.68 gal · 36.64 L
Estimated CO2
43 kg one way
Round trip: 86 kg / 190 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $27.92 $55.84
Mid-grade $6.07 $29.36 $58.72
Premium $6.24 $30.22 $60.43
Diesel $7.57 $36.62 $73.25

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 · May 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Fullerton and Bakersfield. The current time is 06:41:07.

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.