US Trip Planner

Scenic Drives in California

Routes

54

Avg Distance

678 mi

Avg Drive

12h 54m

Destinations

30

These 54 scenic drives in California earned a drive score of 7+ out of 10. The average route covers 678 miles through the state's most varied and visually interesting terrain.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$5.31/gal

Diesel: $4.80/gal

Typical trip cost

$127–$283

One-way, ~678 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~237 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-07-13

Climate through the year: California

California peaks at around 77°F in Aug and cools to 66°F / 50°F in Feb. Wettest month is Feb at ~3 in of rain.

Month	High °F	Low °F	Rain in
Jan	66	49	2.9
Feb	66	50	3
Mar	66	52	1.7
Apr	68	54	0.6
May	70	58	0.3
Jun	72	61	0.1
Jul	75	64	0
Aug	77	65	0
Sep	77	64	0.1
Oct	74	60	0.5
Nov	71	54	0.8
Dec	66	49	2.2

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for CA — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Traveler signals

Upvotes

1

helpful marks from readers

Planning Tips

Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 54 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.

Current regular gas averages $5.31/gallon in California (week of 2026-07-13). Diesel: $4.80/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $127 and $283. Source: US Energy Information Administration.

Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.

Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Top Scenic Routes

Los Angeles, CA → San Antonio, TX

1353.9 mi 22h 57m Score: 8/10 ~$283 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Irvine, CA → Crescent City, CA

771.7 mi 15h 3m Score: 8/10 ~$161 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

San Diego, CA → Willow Creek, CA

763.6 mi 14h 16m Score: 7/10 ~$160 fuel

Through: Susanville → Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Fortuna, CA → Chula Vista, CA

754.9 mi 14h 35m Score: 8/10 ~$158 fuel

Through: Oakland → Hayward → Stockton +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Anaheim, CA → Crescent City, CA

753.4 mi 14h 44m Score: 8/10 ~$158 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Hydesville, CA → San Diego, CA

746.9 mi 14h 24m Score: 8/10 ~$156 fuel

Through: Oakland → Hayward → Stockton +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

McKinleyville, CA → San Bernardino, CA

736.2 mi 13h 45m Score: 7/10 ~$154 fuel

Through: Ventura

McCloud, CA → San Diego, CA

731.2 mi 13h 37m Score: 7/10 ~$153 fuel

Through: Santa Ana → Broadway → Riverside

Los Angeles, CA → Crescent City, CA

727.6 mi 14h 15m Score: 8/10 ~$152 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Alturas, CA → San Diego, CA

726.6 mi 14h 31m Score: 8/10 ~$152 fuel

Through: Los Angeles → Indio

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Redway, CA → San Diego, CA

700.6 mi 13h 32m Score: 7/10 ~$147 fuel

Through: Oakland → Hayward → Stockton +5 more

San Bernardino, CA → Murray Field, CA

698.9 mi 13h 29m Score: 8/10 ~$146 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Fontana, CA → Arcata, CA

696.7 mi 13h 28m Score: 8/10 ~$146 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Irvine, CA → Arcata, CA

695.1 mi 13h 25m Score: 8/10 ~$145 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Murray Field, CA → Fontana, CA

692.1 mi 13h 22m Score: 8/10 ~$145 fuel

Through: Oakland → Hayward → Stockton +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Los Angeles, CA → McKinleyville, CA

683.6 mi 12h 45m Score: 7/10 ~$143 fuel

Through: Susanville → Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

San Bernardino, CA → Fortuna, CA

679.2 mi 13h 2m Score: 8/10 ~$142 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Myrtletown, CA → Santa Ana, CA

677.6 mi 13h 5m Score: 8/10 ~$142 fuel

Through: Oakland → Hayward → Stockton +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Anaheim, CA → Eureka, CA

669.3 mi 12h 53m Score: 8/10 ~$140 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Anaheim, CA → Willow Creek, CA

669.1 mi 12h 25m Score: 7/10 ~$140 fuel

Through: Susanville → Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Fortuna, CA → Irvine, CA

667.5 mi 12h 48m Score: 8/10 ~$140 fuel

Through: Oakland → Hayward → Stockton +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Long Beach, CA → Willow Creek, CA

667.1 mi 12h 23m Score: 7/10 ~$140 fuel

Through: Susanville → Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Anaheim, CA → Yreka, CA

665.4 mi 12h 14m Score: 8/10 ~$139 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Alturas, CA → Long Beach, CA

663.2 mi 13h 16m Score: 8/10 ~$139 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Anaheim, CA → Alturas, CA

657.6 mi 13h 18m Score: 8/10 ~$138 fuel

Through: Bishop → Dayton → Fallon

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Riverside, CA → Mount Shasta, CA

654 mi 12h 8m Score: 7/10 ~$137 fuel

Laytonville, CA → San Diego, CA

653.3 mi 12h 28m Score: 7/10 ~$137 fuel

Through: Oakland → Hayward → Stockton +5 more

Anaheim, CA → Hydesville, CA

651.1 mi 12h 30m Score: 8/10 ~$136 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Los Angeles, CA → Arcata, CA

651 mi 12h 36m Score: 8/10 ~$136 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Long Beach, CA → Fortuna, CA

650 mi 12h 30m Score: 8/10 ~$136 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Chula Vista, CA → Susanville, CA

646.3 mi 13h Score: 8/10 ~$135 fuel

Through: Barstow → Bishop → Dayton +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Los Angeles, CA → Myrtletown, CA

645 mi 12h 28m Score: 8/10 ~$135 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Cutten, CA → Los Angeles, CA

644.2 mi 12h 25m Score: 8/10 ~$135 fuel

Through: Oakland → Hayward → Stockton +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Los Angeles, CA → Eureka, CA

643.5 mi 12h 24m Score: 8/10 ~$135 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Los Angeles, CA → Willow Creek, CA

643.4 mi 11h 55m Score: 7/10 ~$135 fuel

Through: Susanville → Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Los Angeles, CA → Bayview, CA

641.4 mi 12h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$134 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Los Angeles, CA → Humboldt Hill, CA

640.1 mi 12h 22m Score: 8/10 ~$134 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Sacramento → Concord +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Los Angeles, CA → Yreka, CA

639.6 mi 11h 45m Score: 8/10 ~$134 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Johnstonville, CA → San Diego, CA

637.7 mi 12h 46m Score: 8/10 ~$133 fuel

Through: Los Angeles → Indio

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Anaheim, CA → Weed, CA

637.2 mi 11h 43m Score: 7/10 ~$133 fuel

Anaheim, CA → McCloud, CA

635.7 mi 11h 43m Score: 7/10 ~$133 fuel

Brooktrails, CA → San Diego, CA

635.6 mi 12h 10m Score: 7/10 ~$133 fuel

Through: Oakland → Hayward → Stockton +5 more

Anaheim, CA → Hayfork, CA

630.7 mi 11h 45m Score: 7/10 ~$132 fuel

Through: Susanville → Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Mount Shasta, CA → Anaheim, CA

628.1 mi 11h 35m Score: 7/10 ~$131 fuel

Fortuna, CA → Los Angeles, CA

626.7 mi 12h 3m Score: 8/10 ~$131 fuel

Through: Oakland → Hayward → Stockton +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Long Beach, CA → Mount Shasta, CA

626.7 mi 11h 32m Score: 7/10 ~$131 fuel

Hydesville, CA → Los Angeles, CA

625.9 mi 12h 1m Score: 8/10 ~$131 fuel

Through: Oakland → Hayward → Stockton +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Corning, CA → San Diego, CA

617.5 mi 11h 30m Score: 7/10 ~$129 fuel

Through: Santa Ana → Broadway → Riverside

Irvine, CA → Susanville, CA

614.9 mi 11h 50m Score: 7/10 ~$129 fuel

Through: Marysville → Oroville → Chester

Anaheim, CA → Weaverville, CA

613.6 mi 11h 18m Score: 7/10 ~$128 fuel

Through: Susanville → Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Truckee, CA → Chula Vista, CA

612.4 mi 11h 32m Score: 7/10 ~$128 fuel

Through: San Francisco → Redding → Santa Ana +2 more

Big River, CA → Sacramento, CA

612.2 mi 11h 36m Score: 8/10 ~$128 fuel

Through: Avenue 7

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Orland, CA → Chula Vista, CA

611.8 mi 11h 24m Score: 7/10 ~$128 fuel

Through: Santa Ana → Broadway → Riverside

Talmage, CA → San Diego, CA

608.7 mi 11h 35m Score: 7/10 ~$127 fuel

Through: Oakland → Hayward → Stockton +5 more

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California Trips