- Must visit
Kern County Museum
Well-curated local history museum with exhibits on oil, agriculture, and community life in Kern County.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
$37
Average ticket price on Sep 20
$37
Fastest journey on Sep 20
3 h 25 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
3 h 25 m
Buses on Sep 20
1
Distance
123 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santa Barbara, CA 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 Santa Barbara, CA to Bakersfield, CA will cost around $37 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $37.
On Sun, Sep 20, we found 1 buses from Santa Barbara, CA to Bakersfield, CA, including 1 direct services.
On Sun, Sep 20 the direct buses cover the 123 km distance in an average of 3 h 25 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 25 m .
On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest buses will take 3 h 25 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Bakersfield, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $77 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 4h 55m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $77, while a bus costs an average of $77.
Distance: 76 miles (123 km)
Most popular Bus | Driving |
|---|---|
$77 Average price Cheapest | $30 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 55m Average total duration Fastest 4h 25m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 21m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Tickets start at around $77 compared to roughly $30 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-46.42. The journey takes 4h 25m versus 2h 21m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 11:55AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 3h25 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 09:05PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 03:31PM | Arrival Time 10:45PM | Duration 7h14 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $40 |
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to Bakersfield, CA buses for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 3:31 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 7h14 | 10:45 PM Bakersfield, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus 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 Santa Barbara, CA to Bakersfield, CA run on average 1 times per day, taking around 4h 25m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $77 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 04:00, the last at 22:20. The fastest bus covers the 76 miles (123 km) distance in 4h 25m.
Distance 76 miles (123 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 25m |
Cheapest ticket price $77 |
Buses per day 1 |
Fastest bus 4h 25m |
First bus 4:00 AM |
Last bus 10:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Bakersfield, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bakersfield, CA trip today.
Well-curated local history museum with exhibits on oil, agriculture, and community life in Kern County.
Museum on the Bakersfield Sound and country music history, with costumes, instruments, and artist memorabilia.
Hands-on museum for children with interactive science, art, and role-play exhibits suited to families.
Lively downtown street with historic buildings, murals, theaters, and an easy base for walking Bakersfield's core.
Large urban park with lakes, walking paths, art museum access, and open space for a relaxed local outing.
Linear park and trail through downtown, useful for walking and biking between museums, murals, and civic spaces.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA 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 Santa Barbara, CA to Bakersfield, CA buses use the Santa Barbara, Bus station to Bakersfield, Amtrak Terminal station pair. Use this guide to compare Santa Barbara, CA and Bakersfield, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Santa Barbara, Bus station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Free public Wi-Fi available. ATMs are located inside the station building.
Ticket office support is available at Santa Barbara, Bus station.
Available at Santa Barbara, Bus station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Barbara, Bus station: Wheelchair accessible routes available.
Bakersfield, Amtrak Terminal has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Bakersfield, Amtrak Terminal. ATMs are available at Bakersfield, Amtrak Terminal.
Ticket office support is available at Bakersfield, Amtrak Terminal.
Available at Bakersfield, Amtrak Terminal: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bakersfield, Amtrak Terminal: Wheelchair accessible with assistance.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need