Origin
Susanville, CA
Afternoon in Susanville on Sunday
Local time
4:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Susanville, CA to Fremont, CA
Drive Time
6h 2m
Distance
279.3 mi
450 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 50m
★
6 AM
6h 3m
8 AM
6h 28m
10 AM
6h 12m
12 PM
6h 9m
3 PM
6h 13m
5 PM
6h 27m
8 PM
5h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Susanville, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 279.3-mile journey from Susanville to Fremont typically takes about 6 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. Because this route stays within the Pacific Coast region of California, you can easily manage the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $65 for fuel to cover the distance, which primarily utilizes CA 99, CA 32, and the Donald D Doyle Highway. While this is a straightforward trek, the mixed-drive profile means you should stay alert as the road conditions shift. It is a practical route for those looking to reach the Bay Area efficiently while navigating through the heart of Northern California.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
139.7 miles from Susanville, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this route is classified as a mixed drive with only 49% of the journey spent on highways. You will encounter stretches that demand your full attention, punctuated by the longest uninterrupted segment of 53.2 miles on CA 99. The road’s personality shifts significantly as you transition from local routes to the faster-paced Donald D Doyle Highway. Navigating these different road types keeps the drive engaging, moving you through diverse traffic patterns and changing landscapes. Be prepared to adapt your driving style as you move between high-speed highway sections and more technical segments.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 33 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 53.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 100 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 279.3 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 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.9 miles (East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
100 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
110.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
CA 99
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99 toward Yuba City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Yuba City
6
178.9 mi into trip
|
~4h in
|
East Main Street
Turn right onto East Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
220.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
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.
Exit 40
Toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
7
276 mi into trip
|
~5h 54m in
Take the exit toward Washington Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 15
Toward Washington Boulevard
Towns Along This Route
Between Susanville, CA and Fremont, CA, road signs point toward Yuba City and San Jose.
Yuba City
110.2 mi in
|
~2h 28m
|
via CA 99
San Jose
220.5 mi in
|
~4h 49m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 53.2 mi | 1h 8m |
| CA 32 | 52.4 mi | 1h 10m |
| Donald D Doyle Highway | 29.6 mi | 34m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 29.2 mi | 33m |
| Hillcrest Road | 28.8 mi | 38m |
| CA 36 | 18.1 mi | 26m |
| Sutter Causeway | 12.7 mi | 16m |
| Luther E Gibson Freeway | 12.4 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 53.2 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Susanville, CA and Fremont, 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 right at fork onto CA 99
43 mi
·
56 min
·
CA 99
Toward Yuba City
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward CA 113 South: Woodland, Tudor Road
13
Turn right onto CA 113
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Tudor Road
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on CA 113
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South George Washington Boulevard
15
Continue on CA 113
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Sutter Causeway
16
Continue on E8
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
County Road 102
17
Continue on E8
128 ft
·
6 sec
·
County Road 102
18
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward CA 113 South: Davis
20
Merge onto CA 113
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Vic Fazio Highway
Use the none lane.
21
Merge onto I 80; CA 113
29 mi
·
33 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none lane.
22
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 40
Toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 680
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 680
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Use the none lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the none lane.
26
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the none lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
28 mi
·
32 min
·
Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the none lane.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 15
Toward Washington Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn right onto Washington Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Boulevard
Use the right lane.
30
Continue on Fremont Boulevard
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Fremont Boulevard
Use the none lane.
31
Turn left onto Mowry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Mowry Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on Mowry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Mowry Avenue
Use the left lane.
33
Arrive at destination
Mowry Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a full-day commitment of over six hours, plan to leave early to avoid peak traffic as you approach the Fremont area. You should factor in at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $65 budget in mind as you plan your stops. Because the route is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on real-time traffic conditions. Pay close attention to your navigation when transitioning between CA 32 and CA 99, as these connections are critical to maintaining your estimated arrival time. Staying consistent with your pacing will ensure you reach your destination without unnecessary fatigue.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 139.7 miles from Susanville, CA, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.2 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 80 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.7 miles or 3h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fremont, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Susanville, CA
This is one driving day of about 279.3 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Susanville, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on CA 99 for about 53.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.7 mi from Susanville, CA · 3h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.7 miles from Susanville, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fremont, CA
The final approach into Fremont, 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 Fremont, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.68 one way
$129.36 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $66.70 | $133.40 |
| premium | $6.24 | $68.65 | $137.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $62.05 | $124.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.8 | 1 | $29.33 | $13.41 |
| Efficient EV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.44 | $11.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.7 | 1 | $39.10 | $17.88 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Fremont, CA
Afternoon in Fremont on Sunday
Local time
4:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°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
15 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
6h 2m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Susanville, CA to Fremont, CA covers 279.3 miles and takes about 6h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 99, CA 32, Donald D Doyle Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.7 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 $64.68 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 1 meaningful break 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 20 significant decision points across 279.3 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 100 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 110.2 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.9 miles (East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Susanville, CA and Fremont, CA, road signs point toward Yuba City and San Jose.
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