Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Susanville, CA

Drive Time

11h 2m

Distance

570.8 mi

919 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$132

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Susanville, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

Embarking on the 570.8-mile journey from Los Angeles to Susanville is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning. With a total driving time of roughly 11 hours and 2 minutes, this trip is best approached as a two-day excursion rather than a single-day grind. You will primarily navigate via the Westside Freeway, Deer Creek Highway, and CA 70, making your way through the diverse landscapes of the Pacific Coast. Budgeting approximately $132 for fuel is a smart move before you head out. Because the route crosses such a vast distance, splitting the drive into two days ensures you arrive in Susanville feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.

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

285.4 miles from Los Angeles, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 15m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this route is composed of 88% highways. You will spend a substantial portion of your time on the Westside Freeway, which accounts for the longest single stretch of 304.9 miles. This initial phase offers a straightforward, high-speed pace, but the character of the road shifts significantly as you transition toward the Deer Creek Highway and CA 70. These segments introduce a different rhythm, requiring more attention than the open stretches of the interstate. By the time you reach the final legs of the journey, the landscape and road conditions will feel quite distinct from your departure point in Southern California.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 304.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 0.1 miles in near North Broadway.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 570.8 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 24 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Broadway

Turn right onto North Broadway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

24.5 mi into trip | ~31m 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

84.5 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | I 5 / Westside Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 5 North

389.4 mi into trip | ~7h 9m 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...

401.8 mi into trip | ~7h 23m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward CA 70 North: Marysville, Oroville

Towns Along This Route

Between Los Angeles, CA and Susanville, CA, road signs point toward Marysville, Oroville and Chester.

Marysville

389.4 mi in | ~7h 9m | via CA 99

Oroville

401.8 mi in | ~7h 23m | via CA 70

Chester

470.8 mi in | ~8h 45m

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
I 5 Truck	37.7 mi	43m
CA 36	29.5 mi	40m
Golden State Freeway	29 mi	33m
State Highway 36 East	18.1 mi	26m
Hollywood Freeway	15.5 mi	19m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 304.9 mi, about 5h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Susanville, CA.

Start on West 1st Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · West 1st Street

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto North Broadway

0.4 mi · 49 sec · North Broadway

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward US 101 North, CA 110

Merge onto US 101

0.7 mi · 55 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 101

15 mi · 19 min · Hollywood Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 59 sec

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 5

4.5 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck

Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

226 mi · 4 hr 1 min · Westside Freeway

Toward I 5 North Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

26 mi · 27 min · Westside Freeway

Keep left at fork onto I 5

54 mi · 59 min · Westside Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99

7.5 mi · 8 min · Golden State Highway

Toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, Marysville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 99

5.0 mi · 5 min · Bernie Richter Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70

22 mi · 25 min · CA 70

Toward CA 70 North: Marysville, Oroville Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto 5th Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · 5th Street

Turn left onto B Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · B Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on CA 70

30 mi · 35 min · CA 70

Use the left / none lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 149

5.7 mi · 6 min · CA 149

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto CA 99

9.5 mi · 11 min · CA 99

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec

Toward CA 32: Orland, Chester

Turn right onto CA 32

52 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Deer Creek Highway

Use the right lane.

At end of road, turn right onto CA 36; CA 89

18 mi · 26 min · State Highway 36 East

Enter roundabout onto CA 36

92 ft · 6 sec · CA 36

Continue on CA 36

29 mi · 39 min · CA 36

Turn right onto Foss Street

61 ft · 2 sec · Foss Street

Arrive at destination

Foss Street

Trip Plan

To manage the 570.8-mile distance effectively, plan for at least three stops to stretch your legs and keep your energy levels consistent. Given the length of the trip, leaving early in the morning is essential to avoid unnecessary fatigue. Since you are facing a significant fuel expense of roughly $132, keep an eye on your gauge during the 304.9-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, where service stations may be spaced further apart. If you follow the recommendation to split the trip over two days, look for a midpoint stop that allows you to break up the drive evenly. Prioritizing consistent rest stops will make the transition between the major highway segments much more manageable.

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 285.4 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 5h 15m 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 126 miles or 2h 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 285.4 miles or 5h 15m 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 285.4 miles or 5h 15m

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 39m

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 Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA

Aim for roughly 285 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Susanville, CA

Aim for roughly 285 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 126 miles from Los Angeles, 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 285.4 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 5h 15m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Lathrop, CA

188 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

Chico, CA

377 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 Chico, CA

Overnight Options

Night 1

Chico, CA

285 mi · about 5.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Chico, CA after about 285 miles or 5.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Bakersfield, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 126 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Modesto, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 285.4 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 304.9 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 285 miles or 5.5 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

$132.18 one way

$264.37 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 200 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$136.32	$272.64
premium	$6.24	$140.30	$280.59
diesel	$5.64	$126.81	$253.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$132

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$262–$372

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 199.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $60 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	171.2	2	$59.93	$27.40
Efficient EV	142.7	1	$49.94	$22.83
EV Truck/SUV	228.3	2	$79.91	$36.53

Gas CO2

200 kg

EV CO2

67 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Los Angeles, CA

Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday

Local time

12:29 PM

PDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Susanville, CA

Afternoon in Susanville on Sunday

Local time

12:29 PM

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

14 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 2m 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 Los Angeles, CA to Susanville, CA covers 570.8 miles and takes about 11h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Westside Freeway, Deer Creek Highway, CA 70. 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 285 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 285.4 miles from Los Angeles, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $132.18 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.

Between Los Angeles, CA and Susanville, CA, road signs point toward Marysville, Oroville and Chester.

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Susanville, CA to Los Angeles, CA

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570.8 mi 11h 2m

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Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Susanville, CA

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Susanville, CA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Los Angeles, CA

Susanville, CA

Same local time

14 degrees cooler at arrival

11h 2m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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