Driving from Fresno to Susanville covers 357.6 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 19 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays within the Pacific Coast region of California, you will experience a consistent transition across the state's interior. While the trip is technically doable in a single day, it is a significant haul that will require your full focus. Budgeting approximately $83 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the expenses ahead. Whether you prefer to power through in one go or break it up to keep your energy high, this route offers a straightforward path through the heart of the state.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178.8 miles from Fresno, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Northbound California State Route 99
84.6 mi
1h 38m
CA 99
84.5 mi
1h 36m
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
Golden State Highway
9.2 mi
10m
Westside Freeway
6.7 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Northbound California State Route 99
— 84.6 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno, CA and Susanville, CA.
1
Start on East Washington Avenue
28 ft·3 sec·East Washington Avenue
2
Turn right onto North First Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·North First Street
3
Turn left onto East Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi·5 min·East Belmont Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward CA 99 North
5
Merge onto CA 99
9.4 mi·10 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·30 sec
Exit 144Toward Avenue 7Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto CA 99
21 mi·24 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Continue on CA 99
1.8 mi·2 min·Golden State Highway
10
Continue on CA 99
1.3 mi·1 min·Old U.S. Route 99E
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
44 mi·50 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 50 West: San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 50
1.2 mi·1 min·Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5: Los Angeles, ReddingUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North: ReddingUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 5: Redding
18
Merge onto I 5
6.7 mi·7 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Continue on CA 99
5.0 mi·5 min·Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
21
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.
22
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·5th Street
23
Turn left onto B Street
1.5 mi·3 min·B Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on CA 70
30 mi·35 min·CA 70
Use the left lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 149
5.7 mi·6 min·CA 149
Use the straight lane.
26
Merge onto CA 99
9.5 mi·11 min·CA 99
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward CA 32: Orland, Chester
28
Turn right onto CA 32
52 mi·1 hr 9 min·Deer Creek Highway
Use the right lane.
29
At end of road, turn right onto CA 36; CA 89
18 mi·26 min·State Highway 36 East
30
Enter roundabout onto CA 36
92 ft·6 sec·CA 36
31
Continue on CA 36
29 mi·39 min·CA 36
32
Turn right onto Foss Street
61 ft·2 sec·Foss Street
33
Arrive at destination
Foss Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 7-hour and 19-minute drive comfortably, aim to get an early start to avoid peak traffic periods on the major highways. You should plan for at least two designated stops to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $83 budget in mind as you map out service stations. Since the route relies heavily on California State Route 99 and Deer Creek Highway, check for local construction or traffic alerts on these primary roads before you pull out of your driveway. Splitting the drive into two segments is a great option if you prefer a more relaxed pace, but if you choose to do it in one day, prioritize consistent hydration and frequent rest breaks to stay sharp.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.8 miles from Fresno, CA, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.6 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 79 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.8 miles or 3h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 56m
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 Fresno, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fresno, CA
This is one driving day of about 357.6 miles and 7h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Fresno, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Northbound California State Route 99 for about 84.6 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.7 and 188.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
12.7 mi into trip|~16m 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
168.8 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
168.9 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
176.2 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
188.6 mi into trip|~3h 41m 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
$82.19 one way
$164.38 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$84.70
$169.40
premium
$6.18
$86.96
$173.93
diesel
$5.61
$78.95
$157.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.3
1
$37.55
$17.16
Efficient EV
89.4
1
$31.29
$14.30
EV Truck/SUV
143
1
$50.06
$22.89
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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 16, 2026
Origin
Fresno, CA
Late night
in Fresno on Tuesday
Local time
5:22 AM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Sunny
NW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:59AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:38AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Destination
Susanville, CA
Late night
in Susanville on Tuesday
Local time
5:22 AM
PDT
Current temp
38°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.
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
7h 19m 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.
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
$30
near mile 308.3
Park Closure: Roads to Juniper Lake and Warner Valley Closed for Repairs
Park Closure: Lassen National Park Highway under Seasonal Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 79% of your journey takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend a large portion of your time navigating Northbound California State Route 99, which includes your longest uninterrupted stretch of 84.6 miles. As you transition from the CA 99 corridor to the Deer Creek Highway, the road's personality shifts from high-speed transit to a more localized driving experience. This mix of fast highway stretches and smaller highway segments keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. You will find that the road conditions vary enough to keep you alert throughout the 357.6-mile trek.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.6 mi on Northbound California State Route 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Northbound California State Route 99 and CA 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.7 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 25 significant decision points across 357.6 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 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fresno, CA and Susanville, CA, road signs point toward Lake Tahoe, Redding, Marysville, Oroville and Chester.
Fresno is in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Many visitors find themselves stopping in Fresno on the way to Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, or other destinations in the Sierras.
Top landmarks
•Holy Trinity Church, Fresno — church building in Fresno, United States of America
•Fresno station — train station in Fresno, California
•Kearney Park — park in Fresno County, California, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 19m. Total distance: 357.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.6 miles on Northbound California State Route 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lassen Volcanic National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 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.
