How far is Sacramento, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 292.5 miles (470.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 260.4 miles (419 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 14m 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 37m.
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.
Census-designated place in Madera County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on 9th Street
106 m · 17 sec · 9th Street
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2
Turn left onto J Street
2493 ft · 56 sec · J Street
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3
Turn right onto 15th Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · 15th Street
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4
Turn left onto X Street
122 m · 9 sec · X Street
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 80 East, CA 99 South: Reno, Placerville, Fresno
1287 ft · 31 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Capital City Freeway
1856 ft · 23 sec · Capital City Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, Fresno
1383 ft · 18 sec
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 99 South: Fresno
2281 ft · 34 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto South Sacramento Freeway
56.4 mi · 1 hr 5 min · South Sacramento Freeway
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10
Keep slight left
109.3 mi · 2 hr 5 min
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11
Keep slight left
41 mi · 44 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway
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13
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Avenue
1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue
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15
Take the exit slight right
145 m · 13 sec
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16
Continue on Golden State Road
583 ft · 12 sec · Golden State Road
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chester Avenue
59 m · 4 sec · Chester Avenue
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Chester Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Chester Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue
37 m · 8 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento 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.
South Sacramento Freeway
Keep slight left
109 mi · 02h 05m
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving Sacramento 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 Sacramento to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 292.5 miles (470.7 km) and usually takes 04h 37m 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?
Madera Acres is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.4 miles from Sacramento and 154.1 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 260.4 miles (419 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.1 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 7:46 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $59.54 one way or $119.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Madera Acres
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 Madera Acres.
Madera
Fresno station
Merced station
Mariposa, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 260.38 mi (419.04 km).
#1 Sacramento
The sixth most populous city in California and the center of the Sacramento metropolitan area.
| Population | 512,838 |
| Coordinates | 38.5815700, -121.4944000 |
| 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: 471 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $59.54 | $119.07 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $62.60 | $125.20 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $64.43 | $128.86 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $78.09 | $156.18 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.