How far is Santa Monica, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Monica, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 111.7 miles (179.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 98.2 miles (158.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 49m 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 01h 54m.
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.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Monica and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Monica and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Lincoln Boulevard
2464 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto Olympic Boulevard
112 m · 9 sec · Olympic Boulevard
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3
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 East: Santa Monica Freeway, Los Angeles
1351 ft · 35 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North: Sacramento
1.2 km · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
19 mi · 22 min · San Diego Freeway
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7
Merge slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
9
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.3 mi · 28 min · Golden State Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward California Avenue
1301 ft · 36 sec
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13
Turn right onto California Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · California Avenue
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14
Turn left onto Chester Avenue
1765 ft · 39 sec · Chester Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Truxtun Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Monica 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.
Sunny leaving Santa Monica and Sunny near Bakersfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Monica to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 111.7 miles (179.8 km) and usually takes 01h 54m 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 55.9 miles from Santa Monica and 55.8 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 98.2 miles (158.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:40 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.73 one way or $45.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Monica and 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.
Fillmore, California
Tehachapi, California
Santa Paula, California
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Monica and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 98.23 mi (158.08 km).
#1 Santa Monica
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 90,024 |
| Coordinates | 34.0194500, -118.4911900 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| 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: 180 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $22.73 | $45.46 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $23.90 | $47.80 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $24.60 | $49.19 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $29.81 | $59.63 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.