Traveling from Bakersfield to Susanville covers 464.9 miles of California terrain, typically requiring about 9 hours and 13 minutes of actual driving time. Because of this duration, you should plan for a two-day trip to avoid fatigue. Your journey primarily utilizes the Golden State Highway and Northbound California State Route 99, keeping you within the Pacific Coast region for the duration of the drive. Budget approximately $108 for fuel to ensure you reach your destination without worry. While it is technically possible to push through in one long day, breaking the trip in two allows for a much more comfortable pace as you head north.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
232.4 miles from Bakersfield, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Golden State Highway
120.6 mi
2h 10m
Northbound California State Route 99
84.6 mi
1h 38m
CA 99
75.1 mi
1h 26m
Deer Creek Highway
52.3 mi
1h 9m
CA 70
52 mi
1h
CA 36
29.5 mi
40m
State Highway 36 East
18.1 mi
26m
Westside Freeway
6.7 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Golden State Highway
— 120.6 mi, about 2h 10m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 71 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~6,669 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~605 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 21 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 Bakersfield, CA and Susanville, CA.
1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
0.1 mi·23 sec·Truxtun Avenue
2
Continue on Truxtun Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Truxtun Avenue
3
Turn right onto Chester Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Chester Avenue
4
Enter roundabout onto Golden State Road
0.1 mi·11 sec·Golden State Road
5
Continue on Golden State Road
427 ft·8 sec·Golden State Road
6
Take the ramp
395 ft·10 sec
7
Merge onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS
1.9 mi·2 min·Golden State Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto CA 99
5.2 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on CA 99
111 mi·2 hr·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·30 sec
Exit 144Toward Avenue 7Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto CA 99
21 mi·24 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99
85 mi·1 hr 38 min·Northbound California State Route 99
Toward CA 99Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on CA 99
1.8 mi·2 min·Golden State Highway
14
Continue on CA 99
1.3 mi·1 min·Old U.S. Route 99E
15
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
44 mi·50 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·33 sec
Toward US 50 West, US 50 East: San Francisco, South Lake TahoeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 50 West: San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 50
1.2 mi·1 min·Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5: Los Angeles, ReddingUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North: ReddingUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 5: Redding
22
Merge onto I 5
6.7 mi·7 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Continue on CA 99
5.0 mi·5 min·Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
25
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.
26
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·5th Street
27
Turn left onto B Street
1.5 mi·3 min·B Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on CA 70
30 mi·35 min·CA 70
Use the left lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 149
5.7 mi·6 min·CA 149
Use the straight lane.
30
Merge onto CA 99
9.5 mi·11 min·CA 99
Use the straight lane.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward CA 32: Orland, Chester
32
Turn right onto CA 32
52 mi·1 hr 9 min·Deer Creek Highway
Use the right lane.
33
At end of road, turn right onto CA 36; CA 89
18 mi·26 min·State Highway 36 East
34
Enter roundabout onto CA 36
92 ft·6 sec·CA 36
35
Continue on CA 36
29 mi·39 min·CA 36
36
Turn right onto Foss Street
61 ft·2 sec·Foss Street
37
Arrive at destination
Foss Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 464.9-mile transit, plan for at least two major stops to refresh and refuel. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy for avoiding traffic congestion, especially when navigating the busier sections of CA 99. Since the total estimated fuel cost is $108, keeping an eye on your gauge during the 120.6-mile stretch is a smart way to manage your resources. Given the two-day recommendation, look for a midpoint location to rest, which will help you stay sharp for the second half of the drive. Prioritize flexibility in your schedule so you can adjust your pace based on real-time road conditions.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 232.4 miles from Bakersfield, CA, or about 4h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.6 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 102 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 232.4 miles or 4h 21m 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 232.4 miles or 4h 21m
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 7h 51m
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 Bakersfield, 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 Bakersfield, CA
Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Susanville, CA
Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Bakersfield, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Highway for about 120.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10 to $20
Gridley, California
Hours: 3–10 PM
+15308466020
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 119.9 and 295.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
119.9 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward Avenue 7
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 144
Toward Avenue 7
8
276 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
9
276.2 mi into trip|~5h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 North: Redding
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
8
283.4 mi into trip|~5h 21m 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
295.9 mi into trip|~5h 35m 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
$97.26 one way
$194.53 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg163 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$101.02
$202.03
premium
$5.67
$103.69
$207.37
diesel
$4.80
$87.78
$175.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$97
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$227–$337
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 162.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
139.5
1
$48.81
$22.32
Efficient EV
116.2
1
$40.68
$18.60
EV Truck/SUV
186
2
$65.09
$29.75
Gas CO2
163 kg
EV CO2
54 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Bakersfield, CA
Morning
in Bakersfield on Sunday
Local time
8:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
102°F
Sunny
NW 5 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
Destination
Susanville, CA
Morning
in Susanville on Sunday
Local time
8:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
SW 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
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
9h 13m 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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$30
near mile 416.8
Park Closure: Roads to Juniper Lake and Warner Valley Closed for Repairs
Park Closure: Lassen National Park Highway under Seasonal Closure
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, which consists of 60% highway travel across a diverse range of road types. You will encounter a significant 120.6-mile stretch along the Golden State Highway, serving as the longest uninterrupted portion of your trip. The personality of the road shifts as you transition from major thoroughfares to different regional segments, requiring you to stay alert behind the wheel. Prepare for a blend of high-speed cruising and more technical stretches that demand your full attention. This combination keeps the drive engaging, even as the miles add up throughout your nine-hour journey.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 120.6 mi on Golden State Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 119.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 464.9 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 119.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 276 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,503 ft32 ft
Total Climb
4,479 ft
Total Descent
688 ft
Highest Point
4,503 ft
~431.7 mi in
Elevation Range
4,470 ft
Notable High Points
4,503 ft at ~431.7 miles+128 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bakersfield, CA and Susanville, CA, road signs point toward Avenue 7, Lake Tahoe, Redding, Marysville, Oroville and Chester.
Bakersfield is a city in Kern County in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Bakersfield is famous for being the home of country music singers Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, and has the nickname "the country music capital of the West Coast."
The longest stretch is about 120.6 miles on Golden State Highway. 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 232 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 24 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 119.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 276 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lassen Volcanic National Park and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.2 hours each way, a round trip means 18.5 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.
