Origin
Fontana, CA
Morning in Fontana on Sunday
Local time
11:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fontana, CA to Susanville, CA
Drive Time
10h 53m
Distance
533.6 mi
859 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$124
one way
Photo: Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
The drive from Fontana, CA to Susanville, CA covers 533.6 miles and takes about 10h 53m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Blue Star Memorial Highway, I 580 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 104.5 miles on Grand Army of the Republic Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $123.57 one way before food or hotel costs.
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 .
Drive Character
At 533.6 miles and 10h 53m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Grand Army of the Republic Highway and Blue Star Memorial Highway.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Grand Army of the Republic Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 104.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Sierra Avenue
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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 none / 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...
Towns Along This Route
Between Fontana, CA and Susanville, CA, road signs point toward Dayton and Fallon.
Dayton
414.2 mi in
|
~8h 33m
|
via US 395
Fallon
414.2 mi in
|
~8h 33m
|
via US 395
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 none lane.
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 15
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the none / 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 141
Toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
9
Continue on this road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 141
Toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
10
Continue on US 395
67 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
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 none lane.
13
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the none 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 none 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
Use the none lane.
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 none 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 / none lanes.
28
Continue on US 395
19 mi
·
26 min
·
Main Street
Use the none lane.
29
Continue on US 395
2.9 mi
·
7 min
·
US 395
Use the none lane.
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, Fallon
Use 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
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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 266.8 mi from Fontana, CA · 5h 23m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
176 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
352 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in South Lake Tahoe, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
267 mi · about 5.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near South Lake Tahoe, CA after about 267 miles or 5.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 117 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 266.8 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Grand Army of the Republic Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 267 miles or 5.4 hours on the road.
Arriving in Susanville, CA
The final approach into Susanville, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Susanville, CA.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Susanville, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$123.57 one way
$247.14 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
187 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $127.43 | $254.87 |
| premium | $6.24 | $131.15 | $262.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $118.55 | $237.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$124
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$254–$364
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, 2026-04-06.
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.
Destination
Susanville, CA
Morning in Susanville on Sunday
Local time
11:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
63°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
9 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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fontana, CA to Susanville, CA covers 533.6 miles and takes about 10h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Blue Star Memorial Highway, I 580. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 267 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 266.8 miles from Fontana, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $123.57 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
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.
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.
Between Fontana, CA and Susanville, CA, road signs point toward Dayton and Fallon.
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