Spanning 596.6 miles from Anaheim to Susanville, this journey requires a significant time commitment of approximately 11 hours and 31 minutes. Because of the length, trying to tackle this in a single day is exhausting; we recommend splitting the trip over two days to keep your focus sharp. Budgeting around $138 for fuel is a smart move before you hit the road. You will be traveling entirely within California, transitioning from the dense urban sprawl of the Pacific Coast toward the more rugged interior. Whether you are ready for a long-haul adventure or need to plan for a hotel stay, this route demands a realistic assessment of your driving endurance.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
298.3 miles from Anaheim, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
304.9 mi
5h 29m
Deer Creek Highway
52.3 mi
1h 9m
CA 70
52 mi
1h
Golden State Freeway
50 mi
57m
I 5 Truck
37.7 mi
43m
CA 36
29.5 mi
40m
Santa Ana Freeway
21.3 mi
24m
State Highway 36 East
18.1 mi
26m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 304.9 mi, about 5h 29m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 302 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,192 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,362
Quietest
2 AM
~630 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim, CA and Susanville, CA.
1
Start on this road
200 ft·16 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard
422 ft·21 sec·South Anaheim Boulevard
3
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
5
Merge onto I 5
3.3 mi·3 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
18 mi·20 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
25 mi·29 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
26 mi·27 min·Westside Freeway
14
Keep left at fork onto I 5
54 mi·59 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99
7.5 mi·8 min·Golden State Highway
Toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, MarysvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on CA 99
5.0 mi·5 min·Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70
22 mi·25 min·CA 70
Toward CA 70 North: Marysville, OrovilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·5th Street
19
Turn left onto B Street
1.5 mi·3 min·B Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on CA 70
30 mi·35 min·CA 70
Use the left lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 149
5.7 mi·6 min·CA 149
Use the straight lane.
22
Merge onto CA 99
9.5 mi·11 min·CA 99
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward CA 32: Orland, Chester
24
Turn right onto CA 32
52 mi·1 hr 9 min·Deer Creek Highway
Use the right lane.
25
At end of road, turn right onto CA 36; CA 89
18 mi·26 min·State Highway 36 East
26
Enter roundabout onto CA 36
92 ft·6 sec·CA 36
27
Continue on CA 36
29 mi·39 min·CA 36
28
Turn right onto Foss Street
61 ft·2 sec·Foss Street
29
Arrive at destination
Foss Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 596.6-mile distance effectively, plan for at least three stops to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Leaving early in the morning is essential to avoid the worst of the traffic, especially when departing from the Anaheim area. Since the longest stretch covers 304.9 miles on the Westside Freeway, ensure your fuel tank is topped off before entering this extended segment to avoid unnecessary stress. If you choose to split the drive into two days, look for lodging options near the halfway point to balance your time behind the wheel. Always keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $138 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and current regional gas prices.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 298.3 miles from Anaheim, CA, or about 5h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 304.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 131 miles or 2h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 298.3 miles or 5h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 298.3 miles or 5h 31m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 10h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Susanville, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anaheim, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anaheim, CA
Aim for roughly 298 miles and 5.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Susanville, CA
Aim for roughly 298 miles and 5.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 131 miles from Anaheim, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 304.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 427.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.6 mi into trip|~7m in|I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
50.3 mi into trip|~1h in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
7
110.2 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
8
415.1 mi into trip|~7h 38m in|CA 99 / Golden State Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Highway toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, Marysville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, Marysvill...
8
427.6 mi into trip|~7h 53m in|CA 70
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70 toward CA 70 North: Marysville, Oroville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 70 North: Marysville, Oroville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$124.82 one way
$249.63 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg209 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$129.63
$259.26
premium
$5.67
$133.06
$266.12
diesel
$4.80
$112.65
$225.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$125
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$255–$365
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 208.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $63 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
179
2
$62.64
$28.64
Efficient EV
149.2
1
$52.20
$23.86
EV Truck/SUV
238.6
2
$83.52
$38.18
Gas CO2
209 kg
EV CO2
70 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Anaheim, CA
Late night
in Anaheim on Sunday
Local time
1:21 AM
PDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
SW 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Susanville, CA
Late night
in Susanville on Sunday
Local time
1:21 AM
PDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
SW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
11h 31m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to steaming fumaroles, meadows freckled with wildflowers, clear mountain lakes, and numerous volcanoes. Jagged peaks tell the story of its eruptive past while hot...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
$30
near mile 555.4
Park Closure: Roads to Juniper Lake and Warner Valley Closed for Repairs
Park Closure: Lassen National Park Highway under Seasonal Closure
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 41.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mix of driving styles, as 89% of this route takes place on highways, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the trip. The Westside Freeway accounts for a substantial 304.9-mile stretch, which serves as the backbone of your journey and offers the most straightforward cruising. As you transition onto the Deer Creek Highway and CA 70, the character of the road shifts, requiring more attention as you navigate different terrain. While the interstate portion allows for steady progress, the local highway segments provide a change of pace that keeps you engaged. Prepare for a long-distance experience that shifts from major thoroughfares to more localized road networks as you approach Susanville.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 304.9 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Deer Creek Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 596.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.2 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
5,032 ft18 ft
Total Climb
8,126 ft
Total Descent
4,090 ft
Highest Point
5,032 ft
~554 mi in
Elevation Range
5,014 ft
Notable High Points
2,933 ft at ~85.2 miles+2,097 ft prominence
5,032 ft at ~554 miles+838 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Anaheim, CA and Susanville, CA, road signs point toward Marysville, Oroville and Chester.
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. It is best known for being the home of Disneyland. Its second claim to fame is hosting the National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks and Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels.
Top landmarks
•Disneyland — American theme park in California owned by The Walt Disney Company
•Disney California Adventure — theme park in California, part of Disneyland Resort
•Soarin' — flight motion simulator attraction at Disney parks
The longest stretch is about 304.9 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 298 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 40 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Susanville, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 3 meaningful breaks. There are 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.2 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lassen Volcanic National Park and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.5 hours each way, a round trip means 23.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Susanville, CA before the return drive.
