How far is Irvine, CA from Shasta Lake, CA?
The driving distance from Irvine, CA to Shasta Lake, CA is about 594.7 miles (957 km), with a travel time of about 10h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 545.1 miles (877.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 21h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 10h 53m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Merced County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Irvine and Shasta Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine and Shasta Lake.
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1
Start on San Diego Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
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2
Take the exit slight right toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
1456 ft · 21 sec
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3
Turn left onto Jeffrey Road
951 ft · 22 sec · Jeffrey Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 405 North: Los Angeles
1228 ft · 18 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
4.2 mi · 5 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 55 South, CA 55 North: Freeway
1254 ft · 16 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on CA 55 North
2685 ft · 35 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Costa Mesa Freeway
2136 ft · 28 sec · Costa Mesa Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Santa Ana
1.1 km · 47 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
2756 ft · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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18
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
225.6 mi · 4 hr 2 min · Westside Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
25.5 mi · 28 min · Westside Freeway
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22
Keep left to continue on Westside Freeway
53.8 mi · 1 hr · Westside Freeway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
120.9 mi · 2 hr 10 min · Westside Freeway
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24
Continue on Cascade Wonderland Highway
38.5 mi · 42 min · Cascade Wonderland Highway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward CA 151
2884 ft · 56 sec
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26
Continue on Shasta Dam Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Shasta Dam Boulevard
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27
Continue on Front Street
1206 ft · 32 sec · Front Street
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28
Turn left onto Shasta Dam Boulevard
73 m · 7 sec · Shasta Dam Boulevard
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29
Turn right onto Ashby Court
29 m · 7 sec · Ashby Court
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30
Turn left
45 m · 13 sec
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31
Turn right
21 m · 5 sec
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Irvine and Shasta Lake.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
226 mi · 04h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Irvine and Sunny near Shasta Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Irvine to Shasta Lake?
The road trip is about 594.7 miles (957 km) and usually takes 10h 53m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
South Dos Palos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 297.5 miles from Irvine and 297.1 miles from Shasta Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 545.1 miles (877.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $121.03 one way or $242.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 186.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Irvine and Sunny near Shasta Lake.
Stop Ideas Near South Dos Palos
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South Dos Palos.
Merced station
Madera
Denair station
Fresno station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Irvine and Shasta Lake. Straight-line distance: 545.08 mi (877.22 km).
#1 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Shasta Lake
City located in Shasta County, California
| Population | 10,379 |
| Coordinates | 40.6804300, -122.3708400 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shasta Lake (-122.37084, 40.68043)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 957 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 19h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 14h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 11h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 09h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 08h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 07h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $121.03 | $242.07 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $127.26 | $254.53 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $130.98 | $261.96 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $158.76 | $317.51 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.