How far is San Mateo, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from San Mateo, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 281.4 miles (452.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 238 miles (383 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 00m 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 30m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Mateo and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Mateo and Bakersfield.
-
1
Start on South El Camino Real
29 m · 7 sec · South El Camino Real
-
2
Turn right onto East 3rd Avenue
2254 ft · 50 sec · East 3rd Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto South Delaware Street
114 m · 15 sec · South Delaware Street
-
4
Turn left onto East 4th Avenue
954 ft · 29 sec · East 4th Avenue
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on East 4th Avenue
785 ft · 20 sec · East 4th Avenue
-
6
Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 South: San Jose
1407 ft · 39 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
17.3 mi · 20 min · Bayshore Freeway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
42.4 mi · 49 min · Bayshore Freeway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
1539 ft · 40 sec
-
10
Turn left onto East 10th Street
108 m · 13 sec · East 10th Street
-
11
Continue on Pacheco Pass Highway
40.6 mi · 50 min · Pacheco Pass Highway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Los Angeles
3148 ft · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
149.3 mi · 2 hr 40 min · Westside Freeway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward Stockdale Highway
1185 ft · 36 sec
-
15
Turn left onto Stockdale Highway
4.8 mi · 7 min · Stockdale Highway
-
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Stockdale Highway
39 m · 2 sec · Stockdale Highway
-
17
Exit the roundabout onto Stockdale Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Stockdale Highway
-
18
Continue on Westside Parkway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Westside Parkway
-
19
Take the exit slight right
2846 ft · 1 min
-
20
Turn straight onto Truxtun Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Truxtun Avenue
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Mateo 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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving San Mateo 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 Mateo to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 281.4 miles (452.8 km) and usually takes 04h 30m 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 135.3 miles from San Mateo and 146 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 238 miles (383 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:00 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $57.29 one way or $114.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around San Mateo 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 San Mateo and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 237.99 mi (383 km).
#1 San Mateo
The second most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
| Population | 102,398 |
| Coordinates | 37.5629900, -122.3255300 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| 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: 453 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $57.29 | $114.57 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $60.24 | $120.47 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $61.99 | $123.99 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $75.14 | $150.28 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.