Origin
Suisun, CA
Afternoon in Suisun on Sunday
Local time
1:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Suisun, CA to Irvine, CA
Drive Time
8h 6m
Distance
428.6 mi
690 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$99
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 58m
★
6 AM
8h 6m
8 AM
8h 23m
10 AM
8h 12m
12 PM
8h 10m
3 PM
8h 13m
5 PM
8h 22m
8 PM
8h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Suisun, CA
Dominik Gryzbon
Irvine, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Spanning 428.6 miles from Suisun to Irvine, this journey across the Pacific Coast region typically takes about 8 hours and 6 minutes of drive time. While you could technically push through in one long day, the duration makes this a prime candidate for a two-day itinerary. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors like the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and CA-12. Budget roughly $99 for fuel to complete the trip. Because the route is almost entirely highway-based, it is a straightforward, utilitarian transit between Northern and Southern California.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
214.3 miles from Suisun, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience with 99% of your travel occurring on major roads. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel will be spent on a 263.7-mile stretch along the Westside Freeway, which defines the steady, high-speed pace of the trip. You won't encounter many technical local roads; instead, you’ll find a consistent, interstate-heavy environment. This is an ideal route if you prioritize speed and directness over winding scenic detours. Be prepared for a focused, monotonous drive that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 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 263.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 428.6 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 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 365.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 390.1 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 30 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
365.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 51m in
|
I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
8
390.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 21m in
|
I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Stre...
7
417.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 53m in
Take the exit toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
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 Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
8
418.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 5 South
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Suisun, CA to Irvine, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Ana along the way.
Santa Ana
390.1 mi in
|
~7h 21m
|
via I 5
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 263.7 mi | 4h 43m |
| I 5 Truck | 83.3 mi | 1h 36m |
| CA 12 | 37.6 mi | 53m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 28.6 mi | 33m |
| Golden State Freeway | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| Costa Mesa Freeway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| San Diego Freeway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 263.7 mi, about 4h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Suisun, CA and Irvine, CA.
1
Start on Solano Street
205 ft
·
9 sec
·
Solano Street
2
Continue on Kellogg Street
408 ft
·
20 sec
·
Kellogg Street
3
Turn right onto Morgan Street
306 ft
·
17 sec
·
Morgan Street
4
Turn right onto Main Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Main Street
5
Turn right onto Lotz Way
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Lotz Way
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Merge onto CA 12
14 mi
·
20 min
·
CA 12
Use the straight lane.
8
Enter roundabout onto CA 12
90 ft
·
1 sec
·
CA 12
9
Continue on CA 12
23 mi
·
32 min
·
CA 12
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
11
Merge onto I 5
26 mi
·
29 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi
·
29 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Merge onto I 5
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 5 South
Use the none lane.
24
Merge onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none lane.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 103
Toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto CA 55
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Costa Mesa Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 6B
Toward I 405 South: John Wayne Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Toward I 405 South
31
Merge onto I 405
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Arrive at destination
I 405
Trip Plan
To manage the 428.6-mile distance comfortably, plan for at least two designated stops to break up the long highway stretches. Since this is a highway-intensive route, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest congestion on the major arteries you will be using. With a total fuel cost of $99, keep an eye on your gauge during the longest 263.7-mile segment on the Westside Freeway to ensure you aren't caught off guard. If you choose to split the trip over two days, you’ll find the drive much more manageable than attempting the full 8-hour, 6-minute duration in a single go.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 214.3 miles from Suisun, CA, or about 4h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.7 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 94 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 214.3 miles or 4h 5m 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 214.3 miles or 4h 5m
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 6h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Irvine, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Suisun, 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 Suisun, CA
Aim for roughly 214 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Irvine, CA
Aim for roughly 214 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 miles from Suisun, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 263.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 214.3 mi from Suisun, CA · 4h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
214 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 Bakersfield, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
214 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Bakersfield, CA after about 214 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 94 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 214.3 miles from Suisun, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 263.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 214 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.
Arriving in Irvine, CA
The final approach into Irvine, 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 Irvine, CA.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Irvine, 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
$99.25 one way
$198.51 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
150 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $102.36 | $204.72 |
| premium | $6.24 | $105.34 | $210.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $95.22 | $190.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$99
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$229–$339
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 150 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 128.6 | 1 | $45.00 | $20.57 |
| Efficient EV | 107.2 | 1 | $37.50 | $17.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 171.4 | 2 | $60.00 | $27.43 |
Gas CO2
150 kg
EV CO2
50 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
Irvine, CA
Afternoon in Irvine on Sunday
Local time
1:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°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
26 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
8h 6m 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 Suisun, CA to Irvine, CA covers 428.6 miles and takes about 8h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, CA 12. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
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 214 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 214.3 miles from Suisun, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $99.25 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 428.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 365.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 390.1 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Suisun, CA to Irvine, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Ana along the way.
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