- Must visit
Kern County Museum
Open-air history museum with dozens of restored buildings, regional exhibits, and Pioneer Village showcasing Kern County heritage.
Cheapest price
$172
Average price
$172
Fastest journey
20 h
Average duration
20 h
Buses per day
1
Distance
1117 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Salem, OR to Bakersfield, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Salem, OR to Bakersfield, CA will cost around $172 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $172.
It's difficult to get from Salem, OR to Bakersfield, CA without transferring at least once.


Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Salem, OR to Bakersfield, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $194. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 44m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $194, and a flight costs an average of $433.
Distance: 694 miles (1117 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$234 Average price | $194 Average price Cheapest | $433 Average price | $164 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
17h 15m Average total duration 16h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 20h 53m Average total duration 20h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 44m Average total duration Fastest 4h 44m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 12h 35m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Salem, OR to Bakersfield, CA:
A train is $41 (€33) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Salem, OR to Bakersfield, CA costing on average $234 (€192).
A train is $239 (€196) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Salem, OR to Bakersfield, CA costing on average $433 (€354).
Other travel options to Bakersfield, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 16h 45m.
Train takes on average 20h 23m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:05AM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 20h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $234 |
Operator Flixbus USA | Departure Time 09:05PM | Arrival Time 05:05PM | Duration 20h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $172 |
The table below shows live departures for Salem, OR to Bakersfield, CA buses for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:05 PM Salem, OR | 20h00 | 5:05 PM Bakersfield, CA | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Salem, OR to Bakersfield, CA run on average 5 times per day, taking around 16h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $234 (€192) but you can travel from only $194 (€159) by train.
The earliest bus runs at 04:55, the last at 21:10. The fastest bus covers the 694 miles (1117 km) distance in 20h 0m.
Distance 694 miles (1117 km) |
Average bus duration 16h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price $234 (€192) |
Buses per day 5 |
Fastest bus 20h 0m |
First bus 4:55 AM |
Last bus 9:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Best time to book 63 days |
Discover the best of Bakersfield — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bakersfield trip today.
Open-air history museum with dozens of restored buildings, regional exhibits, and Pioneer Village showcasing Kern County heritage.
Leading local art museum featuring rotating contemporary and regional exhibitions, sculpture garden, and community programs in Mill Creek Park.
Family-friendly museum focused on geology, paleontology, fossils, and natural sciences with hands-on displays in downtown Bakersfield.
The city's main historic and cultural core with theaters, murals, civic landmarks, and a growing arts and nightlife scene.
Popular lakeside park with walking paths, bridges, and sunset views, frequently featured in local social media content.
Scenic bluff-top walking area with sweeping city and Kern River views, especially popular at sunrise and sunset.
A Bakersfield classic rooted in the city’s Basque community, usually served in boardinghouse restaurants with soup, salad, beans, pickled tongue, fries, pasta, and a grilled meat main.
Central California barbecue favorite featuring seasoned beef tri-tip grilled over red oak or similar wood. It is widely loved in Bakersfield and across the San Joaquin Valley.
Bakersfield is known for strong Mexican food culture, and simple street-style tacos with carne asada, carnitas, onion, cilantro, and salsa are a local staple.
A Bakersfield institution blending Italian American comfort food with local tradition. Known for ravioli, sandwiches, and a bustling, historic atmosphere.
Iconic Basque restaurant known for classic family-style meals, cocktails, and a historic boardinghouse atmosphere. One of Bakersfield’s signature dining experiences.
Long-running downtown Basque spot serving hearty family-style dinners and traditional specialties in a casual, old-Bakersfield setting.
Generally cheaper than major California cities. Hotels and dining are moderate, while car travel and some attractions add costs.
Tip 15-20% in restaurants; 20% for strong service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff USD 2-5 where helpful.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salem, OR to Bakersfield, CA by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bakersfield, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Salem, OR to Bakersfield, CA buses use the Salem, Chemeketa Street Northeast / Liberty Street Northeast (Salem Center Mall) to Bakersfield, Amtrak Terminal station pair. Use this guide to compare Salem, OR and Bakersfield, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need