How far is Thermalito, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance from Thermalito, CA to Bakersfield, CA is about 360.1 miles (579.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 318.7 miles (512.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 43m 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 05h 51m.
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 California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thermalito and Bakersfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thermalito and Bakersfield.
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1
Start on 10th Street
934 ft · 41 sec · 10th Street
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2
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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3
Take the ramp right
1058 ft · 14 sec
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4
Merge slight left
14.2 mi · 16 min
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5
Continue straight
11.1 mi · 13 min
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6
Continue straight
1.5 mi · 3 min
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7
Turn right onto 5th Street
1272 ft · 31 sec · 5th Street
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8
Turn left onto E Street
4.2 mi · 5 min · E Street
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9
Keep slight right
17.5 mi · 20 min
-
10
Merge slight left onto Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Golden State Highway
7.7 mi · 9 min · Golden State Highway
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12
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
6.2 mi · 7 min · Westside Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
2110 ft · 28 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East: Fresno
1936 ft · 33 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East: Fresno
3077 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Capital City Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Capital City Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Capital City Freeway
1383 ft · 18 sec · Capital City Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward CA 99 South: Fresno
2281 ft · 34 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto South Sacramento Freeway
56.4 mi · 1 hr 5 min · South Sacramento Freeway
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20
Keep slight left
109.3 mi · 2 hr 5 min
-
21
Keep slight left
41 mi · 44 min
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway
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23
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Avenue
1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue
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25
Take the exit slight right
145 m · 13 sec
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26
Continue on Golden State Road
583 ft · 12 sec · Golden State Road
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27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chester Avenue
59 m · 4 sec · Chester Avenue
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28
Exit the roundabout onto Chester Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Chester Avenue
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29
Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue
37 m · 8 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Truxtun Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thermalito and Bakersfield.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
South Sacramento Freeway
Keep slight left
109 mi · 02h 05m
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.
Sunny leaving Thermalito 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 Thermalito to Bakersfield?
The road trip is about 360.1 miles (579.6 km) and usually takes 05h 51m 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?
Atwater is a useful midpoint, sitting about 172.9 miles from Thermalito and 187.2 miles from Bakersfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 318.7 miles (512.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.4 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 5:16 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $73.32 one way or $146.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 113 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thermalito and Mostly Sunny near Bakersfield.
Stop Ideas Near Atwater
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 Atwater.
Merced station
Denair station
Modesto station
Mariposa, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thermalito and Bakersfield. Straight-line distance: 318.69 mi (512.89 km).
#1 Thermalito
Census-designated place in Butte County, California
| Population | 6,646 |
| Coordinates | 39.5112800, -121.5869200 |
| Altitude | 68 |
| 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: 580 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $73.32 | $146.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $77.10 | $154.20 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $79.35 | $158.70 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $96.18 | $192.35 |
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.