Spanning 614.9 miles across California, this trek from Irvine to Susanville is a significant undertaking that requires roughly 11 hours and 50 minutes of pure drive time. Because of the sheer distance, you should plan on splitting the journey over two days to avoid driver fatigue. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including the Westside Freeway, Deer Creek Highway, and CA 70. Budgeting approximately $142 for fuel is a smart move before you hit the road. While both cities sit within the Pacific Coast region, the transition from Southern California to the northern reaches of the state is substantial. Approach this trip as a multi-day commitment rather than a single-day push to ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience.
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
307.5 miles from Irvine, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 40m 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
Santa Ana Freeway
29.6 mi
34m
CA 36
29.5 mi
40m
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 313 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,707 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,943
Quietest
2 AM
~678 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
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 Irvine, CA and Susanville, CA.
1
Start on I 405
1.4 mi·1 min·San Diego Freeway
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Exit 4Toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
3
Turn left onto Jeffrey Road
0.2 mi·22 sec·Jeffrey Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 405 North: Los AngelesUse the straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 405
4.2 mi·4 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 9AToward CA 55 South, CA 55 North: FreewayUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward CA 55 NorthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto CA 55
3.2 mi·3 min·Costa Mesa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 55
0.4 mi·28 sec·Costa Mesa Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 10BToward I 5 North: Santa AnaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 5
0.5 mi·36 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.7 mi·1 min·Santa Ana Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
9.4 mi·10 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
18 mi·20 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
25 mi·29 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
26 mi·27 min·Westside Freeway
22
Keep left at fork onto I 5
54 mi·59 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 manage the 614.9-mile distance effectively, plan for at least three dedicated stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the morning is essential to maximize daylight, especially when navigating the final legs of the trip on CA 70. Since your fuel costs will hover around $142, monitor your gauge closely during the long 304.9-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, where service stations may be spaced further apart. Given the two-day recommendation, find a midpoint to overnight so you aren't rushing the transition between major highways. Prioritize consistency in your pacing to ensure you arrive in Susanville feeling rested rather than drained from nearly 12 hours of driving.
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 307.5 miles from Irvine, CA, or about 5h 40m 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 135 miles or 2h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 307.5 miles or 5h 40m 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 307.5 miles or 5h 40m
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 27m
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 Irvine, 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 Irvine, CA
Aim for roughly 307 miles and 5.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Susanville, CA
Aim for roughly 307 miles and 5.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 135 miles from Irvine, 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.
Final third
4.3 mi from route
~11 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.3 and 445.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.3 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward CA 55 South, CA 55 North: Freeway
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 9A
Toward CA 55 South, CA 55 North: Freeway
7
6.5 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 55 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 55 North
9
68.6 mi into trip|~1h 19m 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
8
433.4 mi into trip|~7h 57m 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
445.9 mi into trip|~8h 12m 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
$144.40 one way
$288.81 round trip
$5.97/gal25.4 MPG avg215 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.18
$149.66
$299.32
premium
$6.30
$152.44
$304.88
diesel
$5.35
$129.52
$259.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$144
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$274–$384
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 215.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $65 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
184.5
2
$64.56
$29.52
Efficient EV
153.7
1
$53.80
$24.60
EV Truck/SUV
246
3
$86.09
$39.35
Gas CO2
215 kg
EV CO2
72 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Irvine, CA
Afternoon
in Irvine on Wednesday
Local time
12:03 PM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 31 at 1:12PM PDT until June 2 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS San Francisco CA
Destination
Susanville, CA
Afternoon
in Susanville on Wednesday
Local time
12:03 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
NW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 31 at 1:12PM PDT until June 2 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS San Francisco 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
15 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
11h 50m 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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
$30
near mile 572.5
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 63.6
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 127.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a journey dominated by high-speed transit, with highway driving accounting for 89% of your total time behind the wheel. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 304.9 miles along the Westside Freeway, which will likely feel like a steady, focused interstate grind. As you transition away from the major freeways and onto routes like the Deer Creek Highway and CA 70, the character of the drive shifts significantly. Navigating these regional roads offers a change of pace from the repetitive freeway miles. Be prepared for a long-distance profile that transitions from heavy traffic corridors to the more varied terrain associated with the northern parts of the state.
89% 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: 304.9 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 6.3 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 32 significant decision points across 614.9 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
4,893 ft16 ft
Total Climb
7,125 ft
Total Descent
2,984 ft
Highest Point
4,893 ft
~571 mi in
Elevation Range
4,877 ft
Notable High Points
1,894 ft at ~87.8 miles+1,278 ft prominence
4,893 ft at ~571 miles+699 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Irvine, CA and Susanville, CA, road signs point toward Marysville, Oroville and Chester.
Irvine is a city of 308,000 people (2020) in Orange County, California. Irvine is one of the newest and largest cities in Orange County, and it is still growing. The city is a perfectly planned suburbia. The Irvine Company started developing the area in the 1960s and the city was formally incorporated on December 28, 1971.
Top landmarks
•Pretend City Children's Museum — children's Museum in California, U.S.
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 307 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 44 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 44 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lassen Volcanic National Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area 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 11.8 hours each way, a round trip means 23.7 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.
