Traveling from Fremont to Susanville covers 279.2 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 1 minute of driving time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you can complete it without needing an overnight stop, though you should plan for at least one break to stay refreshed. Your route will primarily utilize I-680, CA-99, and the Deer Creek Highway to navigate from the Pacific Coast region toward the interior. Expect to budget roughly $65 for fuel to cover the distance. This drive is a straightforward, mixed-road experience, making it a functional choice for those looking to reach their destination efficiently while maintaining a steady pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
139.6 miles from Fremont, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 99
53.5 mi
1h 8m
Deer Creek Highway
52.3 mi
1h 9m
I 680
34.4 mi
39m
CA 36
29.5 mi
40m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
28.9 mi
33m
State Highway 36 East
18.1 mi
26m
CA 113
17.4 mi
23m
Luther E Gibson Freeway
12 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 53.5 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fremont, CA and Susanville, CA.
1
Start on Mowry Avenue
109 ft·6 sec·Mowry Avenue
2
Turn right onto Fremont Boulevard
1.9 mi·4 min·Fremont Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on Washington Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·Washington Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 680 North: SacramentoUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 680
34 mi·39 min·I 680
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
6.0 mi·6 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
243 ft·3 sec·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
1.8 mi·2 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
0.4 mi·26 sec·Benicia-Martinez Bridge
10
Continue on I 680
12 mi·13 min·Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 71AToward I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
12
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
1.7 mi·1 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi·31 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 113
11 mi·12 min·Vic Fazio Highway
Exit 70Toward CA 113 North: WoodlandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward I 5 South: Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto I 5 BUS
1.1 mi·2 min·East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto E8
227 ft·9 sec·County Road 102
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on E8
7.9 mi·11 min·County Road 102
19
Continue on CA 113
17 mi·23 min·CA 113
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward CA 99 North: Yuba CityUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto CA 99
54 mi·1 hr 8 min·CA 99
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward CA 32: Orland, Chester
23
Turn right onto CA 32
52 mi·1 hr 9 min·Deer Creek Highway
Use the right lane.
24
At end of road, turn right onto CA 36; CA 89
18 mi·26 min·State Highway 36 East
25
Enter roundabout onto CA 36
92 ft·6 sec·CA 36
26
Continue on CA 36
29 mi·39 min·CA 36
27
Turn right onto Foss Street
61 ft·2 sec·Foss Street
28
Arrive at destination
Foss Street
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is just over 6 hours, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion when exiting the Fremont area. You have the flexibility of a one-day trip, but keep in mind that you are only allocated one planned stop in your itinerary, so choose your break location strategically to maximize your comfort. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning off the main highway stretches, and ensure you have that $65 budget ready for refueling along the way. Because you are traversing a mixed-road profile, pay extra attention to the transition points between I-680 and the Deer Creek Highway. Staying mindful of these changing road types will help you maintain a smooth and stress-free pace throughout the entire 279.2-mile journey.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 139.6 miles from Fremont, CA, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 61 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.6 miles or 2h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 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 Fremont, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fremont, CA
This is one driving day of about 279.2 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Fremont, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on CA 99 for about 53.5 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 98.4 — 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|Fremont Boulevard
Turn right onto Fremont Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
37.8 mi into trip|~47m in|I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
7
58 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 71A
Toward I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacram...
8
87.4 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|CA 113 / Vic Fazio Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 113 / Vic Fazio Highway toward CA 113 North: Woodland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 70
Toward CA 113 North: Woodland
7
98.4 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 37
Toward I 5 South: Main Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.17 one way
$128.34 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$66.13
$132.26
premium
$6.18
$67.90
$135.80
diesel
$5.61
$61.64
$123.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.8
1
$29.32
$13.40
Efficient EV
69.8
0
$24.43
$11.17
EV Truck/SUV
111.7
1
$39.09
$17.87
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Fremont, CA
Late night
in Fremont on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Susanville, CA
Late night
in Susanville on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Paradise, CA
140 mi in
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.
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
35 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
6h 1m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 48.1
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 231.1
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 38.5
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 28.9
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
$15
near mile 48.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience, as this route consists of a 59% highway share that transitions between major thoroughfares and local connectors. You will encounter a mix of road types, with your longest uninterrupted stretch lasting 53.5 miles while navigating CA-99. The character of the drive shifts from the busier, infrastructure-heavy corridors near Fremont to the more specialized, winding nature of the Deer Creek Highway. While you will spend a significant portion of your time on highways, the overall profile is a mixed drive that requires you to stay alert as the road conditions evolve. It is neither a purely monotonous interstate grind nor an exclusively local route, offering a balanced feel behind the wheel.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.5 mi on CA 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 early in the drive near Fremont Boulevard.
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 21 significant decision points across 279.2 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: near the start (Fremont Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.8 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Fremont, CA and Susanville, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento and Chester.
Fremont is a suburban city in the southern part of the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area; it is the 4th largest city in the Bay Area by population. Fremont is in the southern part of Alameda County, California, between Union City to the north, Sunol and the hills to the east, Milpitas and Santa Clara County to the south, and the San Francisco Bay to the west. The city of Newark, near the edge of the Bay, is surrounded by the city of Fremont.
Fremont industry is not particularly large relative to other parts of the Bay Area, but neither is it a bedroom community. Many people in Fremont work locally in the electronics and high-tech industry, while many others commute to Silicon Valley or San Francisco locations for work.
Top landmarks
•Mission San José — 18th-century Spanish mission in Fremont, California
•Ardenwood Historic Farm — human settlement in California, United States of America
•Niles Depot Museum — railway museum in Niles, California
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 1m. Total distance: 279.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.5 miles on CA 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1 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 (Fremont Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.8 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Lassen Volcanic National Park and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 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.
