About this Location

Facility Overview

Meadows Field Airport Long Term Parking serves travelers departing from the William M. Thomas Terminal at Meadows Field Airport (BFL) in North Bakersfield, Kern County. This expansive, open-air surface parking facility is located directly opposite the commercial passenger terminal, placing fliers within a convenient 2-to-3 minute walk from check-in counters and TSA security screening. Because the lot is an open-air surface design without low overhead barriers, it offers virtually unlimited vertical clearance. This makes it exceptionally suited for standard passenger sedans, pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, minivans, and commercial cargo vans that frequently struggle in multi-story city garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated in the airport district near North Chester Avenue and Highway 99, this facility is strategically placed for regional air travelers and local business visitors alike:

William M. Thomas Terminal: Located steps away across the pedestrian crosswalks (approx. 200–300 feet, 1–3 minutes walk).
Kern County Aviation & Business Parks: Surrounding corporate hangars, cargo depots, and regional logistics hubs situated immediately along Wings Way and Merle Haggard Drive.
Bakersfield Flightcraft & General Aviation: Less than 1 mile south along Airport Drive.
Downtown Bakersfield & Mechanics Bank Arena: Approximately 6 miles south via Highway 99 (a convenient 10-to-12 minute drive).
The Park at River Walk & Kern County Museum: Positioned within a brief 10-to-15 minute drive for those visiting regional cultural highlights before flying out.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Accessing the long-term parking lot is smooth and direct. Motorists arriving via California State Route 99 can exit east onto Merle Haggard Drive (7th Standard Road) and turn south onto Wings Way, leading right into the airport approach. The lot features clearly posted signage separating short-term and long-term lanes, along with automated entry ticket dispensers and multi-lane exit gates designed to prevent bottlenecks during peak arrival waves. Public transit links include Kern Transit and Golden Empire Transit (GET) connections along Airport Drive and nearby connector roads, alongside dedicated curb areas for app-based rideshares (Uber and Lyft) and local taxi operators.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Walking Proximity to Gates: Direct surface-level stroll to the terminal entrance with zero reliance on shuttle buses.
Unrestricted Clearance: Open-sky layout accommodating tall work vehicles, lifted pickups, rooftop luggage carriers, and full-size vans.
Security & Safety: Well-lit parking field monitored by Kern County Sheriff’s deputies and continuous airport perimeter patrols.
Accessible Stalls: Designated ADA-compliant parking spaces positioned closest to the primary crosswalks and terminal doors.
Automated Payment Terminals: Major credit/debit card support at exit lanes and terminal pay-on-foot kiosks for rapid departures.

Ideal For

Business Commuters: Road warriors heading out on regional connecting flights to major hubs like Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) or Phoenix (PHX).
Extended Vacationers: Families and leisure travelers needing reliable, cost-effective extended vehicle storage while out of town.
Regional Travelers: Drivers traveling from across the southern San Joaquin Valley, Delano, Tehachapi, and Kern River Valley seeking stress-free regional airport access.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Ticket Safeguarding: Keep your physical parking ticket safe inside your vehicle out of direct sunlight, or note your entry time to facilitate lost-ticket resolutions.
Arrival Windows: For commercial flights, plan to arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes before scheduled departure to park, cross the street, and pass through security checkpoints with ease.
Spot Memorization: Take a photo of your aisle or nearby light pole number upon parking to make vehicle location effortless upon late-night flight returns.