How far is La Jolla, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from La Jolla, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 229.9 miles (370 km), with a travel time of about 04h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 201 miles (323.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 16m 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 08m.
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.
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Jolla and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Jolla and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on the route
77 m · 20 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Herschel Avenue
48 m · 8 sec · Herschel Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Prospect Street
1228 ft · 25 sec · Prospect Street
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4
Continue on Prospect Place
1044 ft · 29 sec · Prospect Place
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5
Turn left onto Torrey Pines Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Torrey Pines Road
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6
Turn left onto Torrey Pines Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Torrey Pines Road
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7
Turn right onto La Jolla Village Drive
1.3 km · 2 min · La Jolla Village Drive
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 5 North
1141 ft · 30 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
36.3 mi · 43 min · San Diego Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway
1.6 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight right
6 mi · 7 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road
1266 ft · 17 sec
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16
Continue straight
527 ft · 11 sec
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17
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road
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18
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real
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19
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue
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20
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1127 ft · 17 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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26
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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27
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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28
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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29
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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30
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.3 mi · 28 min · Golden State Freeway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward California Avenue
1301 ft · 36 sec
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32
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
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33
Turn left onto Chester Avenue
1765 ft · 39 sec · Chester Avenue
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34
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Jolla 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.
Sunny leaving La Jolla and Sunny near Bakersfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Jolla to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 229.9 miles (370 km) and usually takes 04h 08m 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?
Los Angeles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.8 miles from La Jolla and 118.1 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 201 miles (323.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.9 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 8:44 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.78 one way or $101.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around La Jolla and Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Los Angeles
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 Los Angeles
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Union Station
Glendale Transportation Center
Pasadena, California
Westchester, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Jolla and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 201.04 mi (323.54 km).
#1 La Jolla
Located along the Pacific coastline in San Diego County, this hilly community sits at a mean elevation of approximately 105 feet and features rugged ocean bluffs alongside sandy beaches.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 32.8472700, -117.2742000 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| 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: 370 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $50.78 | $101.55 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $52.71 | $105.41 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $54.25 | $108.50 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $68.23 | $136.46 |
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