How far is Palo Alto, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Palo Alto, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 263.5 miles (424 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 224.9 miles (362 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 30m 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 15m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palo Alto and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palo Alto and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Middlefield Road
30 m · 11 sec · Middlefield Road
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2
Turn sharp right onto Embarcadero Road
1 mi · 3 min · Embarcadero Road
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3
Take the ramp straight toward US 101 South: San Jose
2301 ft · 58 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Bayshore Freeway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
42.4 mi · 49 min · Bayshore Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
1539 ft · 40 sec
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7
Turn left onto East 10th Street
108 m · 13 sec · East 10th Street
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8
Continue on Pacheco Pass Highway
40.6 mi · 50 min · Pacheco Pass Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Los Angeles
3148 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
149.3 mi · 2 hr 40 min · Westside Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Stockdale Highway
1185 ft · 36 sec
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12
Turn left onto Stockdale Highway
4.8 mi · 7 min · Stockdale Highway
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Stockdale Highway
39 m · 2 sec · Stockdale Highway
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Stockdale Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Stockdale Highway
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15
Continue on Westside Parkway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Westside Parkway
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16
Take the exit slight right
2846 ft · 1 min
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17
Turn straight onto Truxtun Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Truxtun Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palo Alto 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
149 mi · 02h 40m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Palo Alto and Sunny near Bakersfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palo Alto to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 263.5 miles (424 km) and usually takes 04h 15m 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?
Mendota is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.6 miles from Palo Alto and 134.9 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 224.9 miles (362 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.6 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 8:30 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.65 one way or $107.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Palo Alto and Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Mendota
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 Mendota.
Madera
Fresno station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Merced station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palo Alto and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 224.94 mi (362.01 km).
#1 Palo Alto
The most populous city in Santa Clara County, California.
| Population | 67,008 |
| Coordinates | 37.4418800, -122.1430200 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| 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: 424 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $53.65 | $107.30 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $56.41 | $112.83 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $58.06 | $116.12 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $70.37 | $140.75 |
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 · May 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.