How far is San Rafael, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from San Rafael, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 295.3 miles (475.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 264.8 miles (426.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 45m 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 52m.
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 Merced 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 Rafael and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Rafael and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Fourth Street
2667 ft · 1 min · Fourth Street
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2
Turn right onto Hetherton Street
652 ft · 17 sec · Hetherton Street
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3
Take the ramp straight toward US 101 South: San Francisco, Oakland
1389 ft · 36 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
1805 ft · 28 sec · Redwood Highway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
13.6 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
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6
Merge slight left onto Eastshore Freeway
3.8 mi · 5 min · Eastshore Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate Highway 80
1321 ft · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80
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8
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
16.4 mi · 19 min · MacArthur Freeway
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9
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
11.5 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
17.8 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
11.1 mi · 12 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
5.9 mi · 6 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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13
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
192.5 mi · 3 hr 26 min · Westside Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Stockdale Highway
1185 ft · 36 sec
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15
Turn left onto Stockdale Highway
4.8 mi · 7 min · Stockdale Highway
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Stockdale Highway
39 m · 2 sec · Stockdale Highway
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17
Exit the roundabout onto Stockdale Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Stockdale Highway
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18
Continue on Westside Parkway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Westside Parkway
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19
Take the exit slight right
2846 ft · 1 min
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20
Turn straight onto Truxtun Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Truxtun Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Rafael 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
193 mi · 03h 26m
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 San Rafael 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 Rafael to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 295.3 miles (475.3 km) and usually takes 04h 52m 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?
South Dos Palos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.5 miles from San Rafael and 148.8 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 264.8 miles (426.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.5 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 7:14 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $60.11 one way or $120.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Rafael and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near South Dos Palos
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 South Dos Palos.
Merced station
Madera
Denair station
Fresno station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Rafael and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 264.84 mi (426.22 km).
#1 San Rafael
The most populous city in Marin County, California.
| Population | 58,528 |
| Coordinates | 37.9735300, -122.5310900 |
| 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: 475 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $60.11 | $120.23 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $63.21 | $126.42 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $65.05 | $130.10 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $78.85 | $157.70 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.