Origin
Susanville, CA
Afternoon in Susanville on Sunday
Local time
12:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Susanville, CA to Los Angeles, 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
Susanville, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Susanville to Los Angeles covers 570.8 miles and requires roughly 11 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. Because of the significant distance, you should plan for at least two days on the road rather than attempting this as a single-day trip. Your route relies heavily on major arteries like the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and CA-32 to navigate the length of California. Budgeting approximately $132 for fuel is a smart move to keep your finances in check. While both cities sit within the Pacific Coast region, the transition from the high-desert feel of Susanville to the sprawling urban environment of Los Angeles is substantial. Approaching this as a two-day journey ensures you stay refreshed and ready for the final stretch into Southern California.
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 Susanville, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient journey, as 92% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Westside Freeway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 303.7 miles. This section provides a consistent, high-speed pace that defines the character of the trip. While CA-32 adds variety to your path, the vast majority of your experience behind the wheel involves navigating major interstate infrastructure. Prepare for a steady, focused drive that favors utility and speed over winding, technical backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 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 303.7 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 110.2 miles in near CA 149.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 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 110.2 miles (CA 149): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 548 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 553.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 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
548 mi into trip
|
~10h 33m 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
7
553.6 mi into trip
|
~10h 39m in
Take the exit toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
7
570.2 mi into trip
|
~11h 1m in
Take the exit toward Broadway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
7
570.4 mi into trip
|
~11h 1m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Susanville, CA and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward Oroville and Marysville.
Oroville
110.2 mi in
|
~2h 28m
|
via CA 149
Marysville
110.2 mi in
|
~2h 28m
|
via CA 149
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 303.7 mi | 5h 28m |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| 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 |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| CA 99 | 9.9 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 303.7 mi, about 5h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Susanville, CA and Los Angeles, 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
66 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
25
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.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none lane.
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
32
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
33
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 570.8-mile distance comfortably, aim to break your trip into three planned stops. Leaving early in the day is essential to avoid fatigue, especially given the lengthy, monotonous stretches on the Westside Freeway. Since you are looking at an 11-hour drive, splitting the journey across two days is the most practical way to handle the time commitment. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 303.7-mile interstate segment, as finding a convenient station can sometimes be tricky depending on your pace. Always double-check your route for any traffic alerts on the I-5 corridor before departing, as regional congestion can significantly impact your total travel time.
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 Susanville, CA, or about 5h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 303.7 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 126 miles or 2h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 285.4 miles or 5h 47m 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 47m
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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Los Angeles, 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 285 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, 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 Susanville, 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 303.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 285.4 mi from Susanville, CA · 5h 47m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
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
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 Stockton, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
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 hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 126 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 285.4 miles from Susanville, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 303.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 285 miles or 5.5 hours on the road.
Arriving in Los Angeles, CA
The final approach into Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Los Angeles, 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.
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
12:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°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 warmer 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 Susanville, CA to Los Angeles, 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, I 5 Truck, CA 32. 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 Susanville, 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 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.
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 548 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 553.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Susanville, CA and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward Oroville and Marysville.
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