Origin
Susanville, CA
Night in Susanville on Saturday
Local time
9:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Susanville, CA to Fresno, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 19m
Distance
357.9 mi
576 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$82
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 9m
★
6 AM
7h 19m
8 AM
7h 40m
10 AM
7h 27m
12 PM
7h 25m
3 PM
7h 28m
5 PM
7h 39m
8 PM
7h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Susanville, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Fresno, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Susanville to Fresno covers 357.9 miles, typically taking about 7 hours and 19 minutes of pure driving time. Because this journey is highway-focused, you can comfortably complete it in a single day, though it will be a long stint behind the wheel. You should budget approximately $83 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Pacific Coast region locations. The route relies heavily on major arteries like CA 99, the South Sacramento Freeway, and CA 32 to move you efficiently across the state. While it is certainly feasible as a one-day haul, keeping a steady pace is essential to avoid fatigue. This trip is straightforward for those who prefer sticking to major corridors rather than navigating complex backroads.
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
179 miles from Susanville, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 116.6 mi | 2h 13m |
| South Sacramento Freeway | 56.4 mi | 1h 5m |
| CA 32 | 52.4 mi | 1h 10m |
| CA 70 | 49.2 mi | 58m |
| Hillcrest Road | 28.8 mi | 38m |
| CA 36 | 18.1 mi | 26m |
| Golden State Highway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| Westside Freeway | 6.2 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 116.6 mi, about 2h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Susanville, CA and Fresno, CA.
1
Start on Foss Street
61 ft
·
11 sec
·
Foss Street
2
Turn left onto CA 36
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on CA 36
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
South Pine Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on CA 36
29 mi
·
38 min
·
Hillcrest Road
5
Enter roundabout onto CA 36
138 ft
·
9 sec
·
CA 36
6
Continue on CA 36
18 mi
·
26 min
·
CA 36
7
Turn left onto CA 32
52 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
CA 32
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left
361 ft
·
10 sec
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Use the straight lane.
10
Merge onto CA 99
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 149
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
CA 149
Toward Oroville, Marysville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto CA 70
19 mi
·
22 min
·
CA 70
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on CA 70
11 mi
·
12 min
·
CA 70
14
Continue on CA 70
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
CA 70
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
5th Street
16
Turn left onto CA 70
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
E Street
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70
18 mi
·
20 min
·
CA 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto CA 99
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
19
Continue on CA 99
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 5
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 518
Toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 518
Toward US 50 East: Fresno
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 518
Toward US 50 East: Fresno
24
Merge onto US 50; I 80 Business
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Capital City Freeway
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Capital City Freeway
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, Fresno
Use the slight right lane.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
Toward CA 99 South: Fresno
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto CA 99
56 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
107 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 134
Toward Belmont Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
30
At end of road, turn left onto West Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Belmont Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Turn right onto North First Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North First Street
32
Turn left onto East Washington Avenue
69 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Washington Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
East Washington Avenue
Trip Plan
To manage the 7-hour and 19-minute trek effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving Susanville early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day congestion as you hit the busier segments of the South Sacramento Freeway. Since you are looking at a fuel bill of roughly $83, keep an eye on your gauge during the longer stretches to ensure you aren't caught off guard between major service hubs. If you find the 357.9-mile distance feels daunting, recognize that the highway-heavy nature of the route allows for predictable timing, giving you the flexibility to adjust your itinerary on the fly. Prioritize your rest breaks early in the drive to maintain your focus for the final, longer segments on CA 99.
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 179 miles from Susanville, CA, or about 3h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.6 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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179 miles or 3h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fresno, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Susanville, 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 Susanville, CA
This is one driving day of about 357.9 miles and 7h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Susanville, 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 CA 99 for about 116.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
179 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 179 miles from Susanville, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 100 and 354.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
100 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
110.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
CA 149
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 149 toward Oroville, Marysville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Oroville, Marysville
8
188.1 mi into trip
|
~4h in
Take the exit toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
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 518
Toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
8
190.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 4m in
|
I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, Fresno
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, F...
7
354.5 mi into trip
|
~7h 12m in
Take the exit toward Belmont Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 134
Toward Belmont Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$82.26 one way
$164.52 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $84.77 | $169.54 |
| premium | $6.18 | $87.04 | $174.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $79.02 | $158.04 |
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: 125.2 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 | 107.4 | 1 | $37.58 | $17.18 |
| Efficient EV | 89.5 | 1 | $31.32 | $14.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 143.2 | 1 | $50.11 | $22.91 |
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.
Destination
Fresno, CA
Night in Fresno on Saturday
Local time
9:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°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
19 degrees warmer 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 49.4
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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by high-speed efficiency, with 85% of your travel occurring on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising, including a significant 116.6-mile stretch along CA 99 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. The personality of the road is utilitarian and fast-paced, shifting from the more remote sections of the northern route onto the heavy traffic patterns of the South Sacramento Freeway. As you progress, the landscape flows by quickly, making this a classic interstate-style experience rather than a winding backroads adventure. Be prepared for consistent speeds and a direct driving environment that prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal detours.
85% 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: 116.6 mi on CA 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and South Sacramento Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 100 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 357.9 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 100 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 110.2 miles (CA 149): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Susanville, CA and Fresno, CA, road signs point toward Oroville, Marysville and San Francisco.
Oroville
110.2 mi in
|
~2h 28m
|
via CA 149
Marysville
110.2 mi in
|
~2h 28m
|
via CA 149
San Francisco
188.1 mi in
|
~4h
About the Cities
Arriving in Fresno, CA
Full guide →Founded 1872
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 19m. Total distance: 357.9 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 116.6 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 Fresno, 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 100 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 110.2 miles (CA 149): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fresno, CA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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