How far is Kensington, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Kensington, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 286.6 miles (461.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 251.8 miles (405.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 36m 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 48m.
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 of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kensington and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kensington and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Arlington Avenue
3003 ft · 1 min · Arlington Avenue
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2
Continue on Arlington Boulevard
989 ft · 24 sec · Arlington Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto Moeser Lane
1.3 mi · 3 min · Moeser Lane
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto San Pablo Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · San Pablo Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Central Avenue
2314 ft · 2 min · Central Avenue
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6
Take the ramp left toward I 80 West: Oakland
795 ft · 20 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Eastshore Freeway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Eastshore Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate Highway 80
1321 ft · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80
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9
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
16.4 mi · 19 min · MacArthur Freeway
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10
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
11.5 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
17.8 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
11.1 mi · 12 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
5.9 mi · 6 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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14
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
192.5 mi · 3 hr 26 min · Westside Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Stockdale Highway
1185 ft · 36 sec
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16
Turn left onto Stockdale Highway
4.8 mi · 7 min · Stockdale Highway
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Stockdale Highway
39 m · 2 sec · Stockdale Highway
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Stockdale Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Stockdale Highway
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19
Continue on Westside Parkway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Westside Parkway
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20
Take the exit slight right
2846 ft · 1 min
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21
Turn straight onto Truxtun Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Truxtun Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kensington 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.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
193 mi · 03h 26m
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.
Sunny leaving Kensington and Sunny near Bakersfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kensington to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 286.6 miles (461.2 km) and usually takes 04h 48m 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?
Firebaugh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.2 miles from Kensington and 145.4 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 251.8 miles (405.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $63.30 one way or $126.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kensington and Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Firebaugh
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 Firebaugh.
Madera
Merced station
Fresno station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kensington and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 251.81 mi (405.25 km).
#1 Kensington
Positioned in the Berkeley Hills of Contra Costa County at an average elevation of 581 feet, this unincorporated area borders Tilden Regional Park and the city of Berkeley.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.9104800, -122.2802500 |
| Altitude | 177 |
| 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: 461 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $63.30 | $126.60 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $65.70 | $131.41 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $67.63 | $135.25 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $85.06 | $170.11 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026