How far is Imperial Beach, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Imperial Beach, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 249.7 miles (401.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 221.5 miles (356.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 26m 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 04h 13m.
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 Los Angeles County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Imperial Beach and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Imperial Beach and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Palm Avenue
114 m · 16 sec · Palm Avenue
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2
Continue on Palm Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Palm Avenue
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3
Take the exit straight toward I 5: San Diego
117 m · 9 sec
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4
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: San Diego
2667 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto John J. Montgomery Freeway
10.4 mi · 11 min · John J. Montgomery Freeway
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6
Continue on San Diego Freeway
14.9 mi · 17 min · San Diego Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
36.3 mi · 43 min · San Diego Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway
1.6 mi · 2 min
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11
Keep slight right
6 mi · 7 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road
1266 ft · 17 sec
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13
Continue straight
527 ft · 11 sec
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14
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road
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15
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real
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16
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue
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17
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1127 ft · 17 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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25
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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26
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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27
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.3 mi · 28 min · Golden State Freeway
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28
Take the exit slight right toward California Avenue
1301 ft · 36 sec
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29
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
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30
Turn left onto Chester Avenue
1765 ft · 41 sec · Chester Avenue
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31
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Imperial Beach and Bakersfield.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
San Diego Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
36.3 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Imperial Beach and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Imperial Beach to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 249.7 miles (401.8 km) and usually takes 04h 13m 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?
Santa Fe Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.5 miles from Imperial Beach and 127.2 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 221.5 miles (356.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:34 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.82 one way or $101.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Imperial Beach and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Fe Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of South El Monte City Hall
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Los ANgeles city Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Fe Springs.
Fullerton Transportation Center
Los Angeles Union Station
Long Beach, California
Pasadena, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Imperial Beach and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 221.49 mi (356.46 km).
#1 Imperial Beach
City in California, USA
| Population | 27,325 |
| Coordinates | 32.5839400, -117.1130800 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Truxtun Avenue (-119.01871, 35.373244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 402 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $50.82 | $101.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $53.44 | $106.88 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $55.00 | $110.00 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $66.67 | $133.33 |
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.