How far is San Juan Capistrano, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from San Juan Capistrano, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 172.4 miles (277.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.6 miles (242.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 37m 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 48m.
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.
The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
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 San Juan Capistrano and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Juan Capistrano and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Camino Capistrano
1.3 mi · 3 min · Camino Capistrano
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2
Turn right onto Junipero Serra Road
1461 ft · 35 sec · Junipero Serra Road
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3
Take the ramp left toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1456 ft · 38 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
1 mi · 1 min · San Diego Freeway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway
1.6 mi · 2 min
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7
Keep slight right
6 mi · 7 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road
1266 ft · 17 sec
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9
Continue straight
527 ft · 11 sec
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10
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road
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11
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real
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12
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue
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13
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1127 ft · 17 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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21
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.3 mi · 28 min · Golden State Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward California Avenue
1301 ft · 36 sec
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25
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
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26
Turn left onto Chester Avenue
1765 ft · 39 sec · Chester Avenue
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27
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Juan Capistrano 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 San Juan Capistrano and Sunny near Bakersfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Juan Capistrano to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 172.4 miles (277.4 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?
Santa Clarita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.1 miles from San Juan Capistrano and 89.3 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.6 miles (242.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.8 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 12:52 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.08 one way or $70.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Juan Capistrano and Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Clarita
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 Santa Clarita.
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Chatsworth station
Simi Valley
Van Nuys station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Juan Capistrano and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 150.65 mi (242.44 km).
#1 San Juan Capistrano
City in Orange County, California, United States
| Population | 35,810 |
| Coordinates | 33.5016900, -117.6625500 |
| Altitude | 37 |
| 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: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $35.08 | $70.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $36.88 | $73.76 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $37.96 | $75.91 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $46.01 | $92.01 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.