How far is Madera, CA from Bakersfield, CA?

The driving distance from Madera, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 130.6 miles (210.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 124.1 miles (199.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 19m 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
130.59 mi
02h 09m
Flight
124.16 mi
199.82 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Madera.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
124.16 mi
Kilometers
199.82 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
130.59 mi
Kilometers
210.16 km
Drive Time
02h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bakersfield
Thu, Apr 16, 7:33 AM PDT
Return by in Madera
Thu, Apr 16, 9:43 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Madera
2026-04-16T05:23
Arrive Bakersfield
Thu, Apr 16, 7:33 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:10 AM to 12:10 PM PDT

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

Leave by
2:10 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Madera
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
Tulare
CA

The most populous city in Tulare County, California.

From Madera
65 mi
01h 04m
To Bakersfield
65.6 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW
Destination
72°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Gateway Drive

    2104 ft · 42 sec · North Gateway Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Madera Avenue

    1574 ft · 34 sec · South Madera Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward CA 99 South: Fresno

    1272 ft · 31 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    21.2 mi · 23 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    41 mi · 44 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway

    58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Golden State Freeway

    5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Avenue

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    145 m · 13 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Golden State Road

    583 ft · 12 sec · Golden State Road

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chester Avenue

    59 m · 4 sec · Chester Avenue

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto Chester Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Chester Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue

    37 m · 8 sec · Truxtun Avenue

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
CA 99 South
62.4 mi · 48%
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 45%
Golden State Freeway
5.16 mi · 4%
Golden State Avenue
2.03 mi · 2%
Chester Avenue
0.95 mi · 1%
North Gateway Drive
0.4 mi
Longest Stretch

Golden State Highway

Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway

58.6 mi · 01h 03m

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 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.5 mi
124.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tulare
01h 04m from Madera
Leave By
2:10 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Madera 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 Madera to Bakersfield?

The road trip is about 130.6 miles (210.2 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?

Tulare is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65 miles from Madera and 65.6 miles from Bakersfield.

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

The direct path is about 124.1 miles (199.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 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 2:10 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.60 one way or $53.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Madera and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.

Stop Ideas Near Tulare

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

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

BUS

Visalia, California

15 mi away
425 E. Oak Street
BUS

Goshen Junction, California

16 mi away
30435 Road 68
RAIL

Corcoran station

22 mi away
1099 Otis Ave.
RAIL

Hanford station

30 mi away
200 Santa Fe Avenue #A

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Madera and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 124.16 mi (199.82 km).

Madera

#1 Madera

The most populous city in Madera County, California.

Population66,723
Coordinates36.9613400, -120.0607200
Altitude83
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: North Gateway Drive (-120.060678, 36.961369)
End: Truxtun Avenue (-119.01871, 35.373244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 210 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.61 gal
17.44 L · about $26.60
Round trip
$53.19
9.22 gal · 34.88 L
Estimated CO2
41 kg one way
Round trip: 81.9 kg / 181 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $26.60 $53.19
Mid-grade $6.07 $27.96 $55.93
Premium $6.24 $28.78 $57.56
Diesel $7.57 $34.88 $69.77

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Madera and Bakersfield. The current time is 05:23:31.

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.