How far is San Luis Obispo, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from San Luis Obispo, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 136.4 miles (219.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 35m 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 17m.
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 San Luis Obispo County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Luis Obispo and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Luis Obispo and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Monterey Street
120 m · 19 sec · Monterey Street
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2
Turn left onto Toro Street
1877 ft · 1 min · Toro Street
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3
Take the ramp straight
566 ft · 14 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
28.4 mi · 33 min · El Camino Real
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5
Take the exit slight right toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield
1044 ft · 28 sec
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6
Turn right
24.4 mi · 29 min
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7
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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8
Turn slight right
149 m · 6 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Antelope Road
5.3 mi · 7 min · Antelope Road
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10
Continue on Paso Robles Highway
32.3 mi · 39 min · Paso Robles Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right
2047 ft · 25 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
24.9 mi · 27 min · Westside Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Stockdale Highway
1185 ft · 36 sec
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14
Turn left onto Stockdale Highway
4.8 mi · 7 min · Stockdale Highway
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Stockdale Highway
39 m · 2 sec · Stockdale Highway
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Stockdale Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Stockdale Highway
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17
Continue on Westside Parkway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Westside Parkway
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18
Take the exit slight right
2846 ft · 1 min
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19
Turn straight onto Truxtun Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · 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 San Luis Obispo 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.
Paso Robles Highway
Continue on Paso Robles Highway
32.3 mi · 00h 39m
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 Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 136.4 miles (219.5 km) and usually takes 02h 17m 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?
Shandon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.4 miles from San Luis Obispo and 68 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.7 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 1:54 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.75 one way or $55.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Luis Obispo and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Shandon
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 Shandon.
Paso Robles station
Atascadero, California
San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), California
San Luis Obispo
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Luis Obispo and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 92.71 mi (149.2 km).
#1 San Luis Obispo
A city in San Luis Obispo County, California.
| Population | 47,590 |
| Coordinates | 35.2827500, -120.6596200 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| 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: 219 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $27.75 | $55.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $29.18 | $58.35 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $30.03 | $60.06 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $36.40 | $72.79 |
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.