Traveling from Fontana to Susanville spans 533.6 miles across California, a journey that takes approximately 10 hours and 53 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the significant distance, you should plan on splitting this trip over two days to avoid driver fatigue. Your travel budget should account for roughly $124 in fuel costs to cover the span. You will navigate via the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, the Blue Star Memorial Highway, and I-580. While both the origin and destination sit within the Pacific Coast region, the drive covers a vast stretch of the state, making it a serious long-distance commitment rather than a casual day trip.
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
266.8 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
104.5 mi
2h 2m
Blue Star Memorial Highway
103.3 mi
2h 3m
I 580
101.1 mi
1h 55m
North Sierra Highway
87.4 mi
1h 44m
Route 395
43.3 mi
56m
Main Street
19.3 mi
26m
US 395
14.7 mi
22m
Carson City Deputy Sheriff Carl Howell Memorial Freeway
13.2 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
— 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Susanville, CA.
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
205 ft·6 sec·Merrill Avenue
2
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
6.1 mi·9 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward I 15 North
4
Merge onto I 15
3.7 mi·4 min·Ontario Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 15
6.8 mi·7 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist; US 91 Hist; US 395 Hist
5.4 mi·5 min·CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
2.8 mi·3 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 141Toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
9
Continue on this road
0.9 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 141Toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
10
Continue on US 395
67 mi·1 hr 20 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 395
0.9 mi·1 min·Red Mountain Road
12
Continue on US 395
37 mi·42 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi·1 hr 4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
2.2 mi·4 min·South Main Street
15
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
15 mi·17 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·South Edwards Street
17
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
26 mi·31 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Main Street
19
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
7.4 mi·8 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
20
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
5.0 mi·5 min·El Camino Sierra
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
2.4 mi·4 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto CA 168
1.5 mi·2 min·West Line Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto North Barlow Lane
1.0 mi·1 min·North Barlow Lane
24
Turn left onto US 395
87 mi·1 hr 44 min·North Sierra Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto Sinclair Street
0.1 mi·12 sec·Sinclair Street
26
Turn left onto Emigrant Street
0.5 mi·40 sec·Emigrant Street
27
Continue on US 395
43 mi·56 min·Route 395
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on US 395
19 mi·26 min·Main Street
29
Continue on US 395
2.9 mi·7 min·US 395
30
Turn left onto County Road
1.1 mi·1 min·County Road
31
Enter roundabout onto NV 88
2 ft·0 sec·Woodfords Road
32
Continue on NV 88
0.4 mi·48 sec·Woodfords Road
33
Turn left onto US 395
11 mi·13 min·US 395
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Take the exit onto US 395
0.9 mi·1 min·US 395
Toward I 580 North, US 395 North, US 50 East: Reno, Dayton, FallonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Merge onto I 580; US 50; US 395
13 mi·14 min·Carson City Deputy Sheriff Carl Howell Memorial Freeway
36
Continue on I 580; US 395
101 mi·1 hr 55 min·I 580; US 395
37
Continue on CA 36
4.3 mi·7 min·CA 36
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Turn left onto Foss Street
61 ft·2 sec·Foss Street
39
Arrive at destination
Foss Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 533.6-mile trek effectively, plan for at least three dedicated stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the trip is a long-distance haul, departing early in the morning on both days is your best strategy for maintaining a comfortable pace. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that 104.5-mile stretch on the Grand Army of the Republic Highway where service opportunities might be spaced further apart. Budgeting for the $124 fuel cost in advance will help keep your logistical planning stress-free. Splitting the drive over two days allows you to handle the long duration safely while ensuring you arrive in Susanville refreshed.
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 266.8 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 5h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 117 miles or 2h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 266.8 miles or 5h 23m 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 266.8 miles or 5h 23m
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 9h 42m
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 Fontana, 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 Fontana, CA
Aim for roughly 267 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Susanville, CA
Aim for roughly 267 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 117 miles from Fontana, 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 Grand Army of the Republic Highway for about 104.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 414.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Sierra Avenue
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
6.4 mi into trip|~10m in|I 15 / Ontario Freeway
Merge onto I 15 / Ontario Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
25.3 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 141
Toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
5
245.8 mi into trip|~4h 56m in|CA 168 / West Line Street
Turn left onto CA 168 / West Line Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
414.2 mi into trip|~8h 33m in|US 395
Take the exit onto US 395 toward I 580 North, US 395 North, US 50 East: Reno, Dayton, Fallon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 North, US 395 North, US 50 East: R...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$122.64 one way
$245.29 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg187 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$126.38
$252.77
premium
$6.18
$129.77
$259.53
diesel
$5.61
$117.81
$235.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$123
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$253–$363
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 186.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
160.1
1
$56.03
$25.61
Efficient EV
133.4
1
$46.69
$21.34
EV Truck/SUV
213.4
2
$74.70
$34.15
Gas CO2
187 kg
EV CO2
62 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Fontana, CA
Late night
in Fontana on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Clear
N 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 7:10PM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Destination
Susanville, CA
Late night
in Susanville on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
PDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
10h 53m 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.
Devils Postpile National Monument
National Monument
Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 294.4
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yose...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
$35
near mile 312.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a mix of road types, with highways accounting for 36% of the total distance. Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, transitioning between major corridors and secondary routes. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 104.5 miles while cruising along the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. The drive requires steady focus as you navigate these different road classifications over the course of nearly 11 hours. Be prepared for the shift in road environments as you move from the southern part of the state toward your destination in Susanville.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 mi on Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
At 10h 53m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Sierra Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 533.6 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (I 15 / Ontario Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fontana, CA and Susanville, CA, road signs point toward Dayton and Fallon.
Moderate complexity with 3 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 53m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Grand Army of the Republic 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 267 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (I 15 / Ontario Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Devils Postpile National Monument and Yosemite National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.9 hours each way, a round trip means 21.8 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.
