Origin
Susanville, CA
Afternoon in Susanville on Sunday
Local time
12:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Susanville, CA to Bakersfield, CA
Drive Time
9h 12m
Distance
464.9 mi
748 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$108
one way
Susanville, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Bakersfield, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
The drive from Susanville, CA to Bakersfield, CA covers 464.9 miles and takes about 9h 12m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on CA 99, Golden State Highway, South Sacramento Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 160.2 miles on CA 99. At current regular gas prices, budget about $107.66 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
232.4 miles from Susanville, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 9h 12m highway drive covering 464.9 miles, with most of the trip on CA 99 and Golden State Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 160.2 miles on CA 99.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 99 is the longest continuous segment at about 160.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Golden State Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 110.2 miles in near CA 149.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 464.9 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 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; at 188.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
188.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 East: Fresno
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Exit 518
Toward US 50 East: Fresno
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...
8
461.8 mi into trip
|
~9h 8m in
|
CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Golden State Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Golden State Avenue toward CA 204 South: Golden State Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward CA 204 South: Golden State Avenue
Towns Along This Route
Between Susanville, CA and Bakersfield, CA, road signs point toward Oroville, Marysville, San Francisco and Fresno.
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
Fresno
190.7 mi in
|
~4h 4m
|
via I 80 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 160.2 mi | 3h |
| Golden State Highway | 66.3 mi | 1h 11m |
| 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 |
| Westside Freeway | 6.2 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 160.2 mi, about 3h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Susanville, CA and Bakersfield, 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 none 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
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on CA 70
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
CA 70
Use the none 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto CA 99
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
19
Continue on CA 99
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 5
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / 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
Use the none lane.
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
Use the none lane.
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
109 mi
·
2 hr 5 min
·
CA 99
Use the none lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi
·
44 min
·
CA 99
Use the none lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Avenue
Exit 27
Toward CA 204 South: Golden State Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
475 ft
·
13 sec
34
Continue on Golden State Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Golden State Road
35
Enter roundabout onto Chester Avenue
193 ft
·
3 sec
·
Chester Avenue
36
Continue on Chester Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Chester Avenue
37
Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue
122 ft
·
7 sec
·
Truxtun Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
Truxtun Avenue
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 232.4 miles from Susanville, CA, or about 4h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 160.2 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 102 miles or 2h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 232.4 miles or 4h 52m 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 232.4 miles or 4h 52m
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 8h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bakersfield, 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.
+
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 Susanville, CA
Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Bakersfield, CA
Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Susanville, 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 CA 99 for about 160.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 232.4 mi from Susanville, CA · 4h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
232 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, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
232 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Chico, CA after about 232 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 102 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 232.4 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 160.2 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 232 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
Arriving in Bakersfield, CA
The final approach into Bakersfield, 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 Bakersfield, CA.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Bakersfield, 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
$107.66 one way
$215.32 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
163 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $111.03 | $222.05 |
| premium | $6.24 | $114.27 | $228.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $103.28 | $206.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$108
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$238–$348
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 162.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 139.5 | 1 | $48.81 | $22.32 |
| Efficient EV | 116.2 | 1 | $40.68 | $18.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 186 | 2 | $65.09 | $29.75 |
Gas CO2
163 kg
EV CO2
54 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
Bakersfield, CA
Afternoon in Bakersfield on Sunday
Local time
12:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°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
10 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
9h 12m 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 Susanville, CA to Bakersfield, CA covers 464.9 miles and takes about 9h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 99, Golden State Highway, South Sacramento Freeway. 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 232 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 232.4 miles from Susanville, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $107.66 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 25 significant decision points across 464.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 188.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Susanville, CA and Bakersfield, CA, road signs point toward Oroville, Marysville, San Francisco and Fresno.
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