Origin
Susanville, CA
Evening in Susanville on Sunday
Local time
7:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Susanville, CA to San Francisco, CA
Drive Time
5h 42m
Distance
262 mi
422 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 29m
★
6 AM
5h 42m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 52m
12 PM
5h 49m
3 PM
5h 53m
5 PM
6h 7m
8 PM
5h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Susanville, CA
Stephen Leonardi
San Francisco, CA
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Traveling from Susanville to San Francisco covers 262 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 42 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the trip in a single day, though you should plan for at least one stop to keep your energy up. You will navigate a mix of roads, including CA 99, CA 32, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, requiring a fuel budget of approximately $61. Both the origin and destination sit within the Pacific Coast region, keeping the general climate and landscape feel relatively consistent. Whether you are heading to the city for business or leisure, this route offers a straightforward path that avoids the need for an overnight stay.
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
131 miles from Susanville, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed-drive experience that transitions between faster highway segments and slower, more localized stretches. Roughly 55% of your journey will be spent on highways, providing a nice balance between steady cruising and attentive driving. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on CA 99, where you will cover 53.2 miles of road. As you move between the different routes, you will notice the character of the pavement changing, shifting from the open flow of the Eisenhower Highway to the more varied conditions found on CA 32. It is a drive that requires you to stay engaged, as the personality of the road shifts to match the changing terrain.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
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 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 23 significant decision points across 262 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 23 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.
6
252.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 26m in
|
Eastshore Freeway
Take the exit onto Eastshore Freeway toward San Francisco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward San Francisco
8
260.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Susanville, CA to San Francisco, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Yuba City along the way.
Yuba City
110.2 mi in
|
~2h 28m
|
via CA 99
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 53.2 mi | 1h 8m |
| CA 32 | 52.4 mi | 1h 10m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 48.3 mi | 58m |
| Hillcrest Road | 28.8 mi | 38m |
| CA 36 | 18.1 mi | 26m |
| Eastshore Freeway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Sutter Causeway | 12.7 mi | 16m |
| Vic Fazio Highway | 10.7 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 53.2 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Susanville, CA and San Francisco, 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
42 mi
·
48 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none lane.
22
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Carquinez Bridge
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Eastshore Freeway
24
Continue on I 80
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 80
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
Use the none lane.
26
Take the exit onto Eastshore Freeway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
Toward San Francisco
Use the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto I 80
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn slight left onto I 80
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight left lane.
30
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Route 80
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
31
Continue on I 80
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Route 80
Exit 2A
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
32
Continue on I 80
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
Route 80
Exit 1A
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 1B
Toward US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Merge onto US 101
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Central Freeway
35
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434B
Toward Octavia Boulevard, Fell Street
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
36
Turn right onto Market Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Market Street
Use the right lane.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Market Street
38
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 262-mile journey, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic as you near the San Francisco area. Since you only have one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the final leg of the drive. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $61, so check your tank levels before leaving Susanville to ensure you aren't forced to stop at higher-priced stations along the way. Because this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace, but staying mindful of the 53.2-mile stretch on CA 99 will help you manage your time effectively.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 131 miles from Susanville, CA, or about 2h 55m 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 131 miles or 2h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Francisco, 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 262 miles and 5h 42m.
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 131 mi from Susanville, CA · 2h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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
Arriving in San Francisco, CA
The final approach into San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, 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
$60.67 one way
$121.35 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $62.57 | $125.14 |
| premium | $6.24 | $64.40 | $128.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $58.21 | $116.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.51 | $12.58 |
| Efficient EV | 65.5 | 0 | $22.92 | $10.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.8 | 1 | $36.68 | $16.77 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 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
San Francisco, CA
Evening in San Francisco on Sunday
Local time
7:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°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
7 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
5h 42m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 San Francisco, CA covers 262 miles and takes about 5h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 99, CA 32, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 131 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 $60.67 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 23 significant decision points across 262 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.
On the drive from Susanville, CA to San Francisco, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Yuba City along the way.
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