How far is Shafter, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Shafter, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.7 miles (26.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 22m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Kern 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 Shafter and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shafter and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on Jackson Avenue
14 m · 4 sec · Jackson Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Central Valley Highway
129 m · 10 sec · Central Valley Highway
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3
Turn left onto East Lerdo Highway
6 mi · 8 min · East Lerdo Highway
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4
Take the ramp right toward CA 99 South
1447 ft · 35 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Golden State Highway
3.9 mi · 4 min · Golden State Highway
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6
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Avenue
1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue
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8
Take the exit slight right
145 m · 13 sec
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9
Continue on Golden State Road
583 ft · 12 sec · Golden State Road
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chester Avenue
59 m · 4 sec · Chester Avenue
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11
Exit the roundabout onto Chester Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Chester Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue
37 m · 8 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shafter and Bakersfield.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
East Lerdo Highway
Turn left onto East Lerdo Highway
5.99 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Shafter 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 Shafter to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km) and usually takes 00h 22m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Oildale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.3 miles from Shafter and 9.3 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.7 miles (26.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:44 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.75 one way or $7.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Shafter and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Oildale
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 Oildale.
Bakersfield
Wasco station
Tehachapi, California
Mojave, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shafter and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 16.74 mi (26.94 km).
#1 Shafter
City in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 20,739 |
| Coordinates | 35.5005100, -119.2717800 |
| Altitude | 106 |
| 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: 30 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $3.75 | $7.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $3.94 | $7.89 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $4.06 | $8.12 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $4.92 | $9.84 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.