How far is Santa Maria, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Maria, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 113 miles (181.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 89.4 miles (143.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 08m 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 04m.
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.
City in California, United States of America
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 Santa Maria and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Maria and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Santa Maria Road
3083 ft · 2 min · Santa Maria Road
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2
Continue on Mulholland Drive
1.1 mi · 3 min · Mulholland Drive
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3
Turn right onto Alhama Drive
130 m · 16 sec · Alhama Drive
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4
Turn left onto Golondrina Street
809 ft · 36 sec · Golondrina Street
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5
Turn right onto Saltillo Street
2534 ft · 1 min · Saltillo Street
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Canoga Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · Canoga Avenue
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7
Take the ramp right toward US 101 South: Ventura Freeway, Los Angeles
1042 ft · 17 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
7.3 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa Monica
758 ft · 19 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North: Sacramento
2233 ft · 54 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
9.6 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway
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12
Merge slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.3 mi · 28 min · Golden State Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward California Avenue
1301 ft · 36 sec
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18
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Chester Avenue
1765 ft · 39 sec · Chester Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · 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 Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 113 miles (181.9 km) and usually takes 02h 04m 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?
Lebec is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55 miles from Santa Maria and 58 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 89.4 miles (143.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 2:22 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.02 one way or $46.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Maria and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Lebec
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 Lebec.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Maria and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 89.43 mi (143.93 km).
#1 Santa Maria
The third most populous city in Santa Barbara County, California.
| Population | 105,851 |
| Coordinates | 34.1314000, -118.5745300 |
| Altitude | 426 |
| 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: 182 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $23.02 | $46.04 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $24.20 | $48.41 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $24.91 | $49.82 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $30.19 | $60.38 |
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.