How far is Malibu, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Malibu, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 126.5 miles (203.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 94.1 miles (151.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 15m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Malibu and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Malibu and Bakersfield.
-
1
Start on Pacific Coast Highway
4.5 mi · 7 min · Pacific Coast Highway
-
2
Turn left onto South Malibu Canyon Road
4.6 mi · 7 min · South Malibu Canyon Road
-
3
Continue on Las Virgenes Road
4.8 mi · 8 min · Las Virgenes Road
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
1338 ft · 35 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
13.5 mi · 16 min · Ventura Freeway
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa Monica
758 ft · 19 sec
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North: Sacramento
2233 ft · 54 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
9.6 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway
-
9
Merge slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
11
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.3 mi · 28 min · Golden State Freeway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward California Avenue
1301 ft · 36 sec
-
15
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
-
16
Turn left onto Chester Avenue
1765 ft · 39 sec · Chester Avenue
-
17
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Malibu 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.
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Malibu 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 Malibu to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 126.5 miles (203.6 km) and usually takes 02h 15m 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 63.3 miles from Malibu and 63.2 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 94.1 miles (151.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.4 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 1:58 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.73 one way or $51.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Malibu and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Val Verde
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 Val Verde.
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Simi Valley
Chatsworth station
Fillmore, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Malibu and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 94.08 mi (151.41 km).
#1 Malibu
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 11,519 |
| Coordinates | 34.0257700, -118.7804000 |
| 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: 204 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $25.73 | $51.46 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $27.05 | $54.11 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $27.84 | $55.69 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $33.75 | $67.50 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.