How far is Nevada City, CA from Lake of the Pines, CA?
The driving distance from Nevada City, CA to Lake of the Pines, CA is about 19.5 miles (31.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15.5 miles (24.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 30m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Nevada County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Rain
Showers And Thunderstorms then Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nevada City and Lake of the Pines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nevada City and Lake of the Pines.
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1
Start on the route
704 ft · 12 sec
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2
Merge slight left onto Golden Center Freeway
16.8 mi · 23 min · Golden Center Freeway
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3
Turn left onto Combie Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Combie Road
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4
Continue on Magnolia Road
135 m · 15 sec · Magnolia Road
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5
Turn right onto Lakeshore
29 m · 4 sec · Lakeshore
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Lakeshore
84 m · 20 sec · Lakeshore
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7
Turn left onto Torrey Pines Drive
1.4 km · 3 min · Torrey Pines Drive
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8
Turn right onto Hazel Way
590 ft · 33 sec · Hazel Way
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9
Turn left onto Lakeshore North
3091 ft · 2 min · Lakeshore North
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lakeshore North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nevada City and Lake of the Pines.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Golden Center Freeway
Merge slight left onto Golden Center Freeway
16.8 mi · 00h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Rain leaving Nevada City and Showers And Thunderstorms then Rain near Lake of the Pines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nevada City to Lake of the Pines?
The road trip is about 19.5 miles (31.4 km) and usually takes 00h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Grass Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.8 miles from Nevada City and 9.8 miles from Lake of the Pines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15.5 miles (24.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.98 one way or $7.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms then Rain around Nevada City and Showers And Thunderstorms then Rain near Lake of the Pines.
Stop Ideas Near Grass Valley
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 Grass Valley.
Grass Valley, California
Colfax
Auburn
Marysville, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nevada City and Lake of the Pines. Straight-line distance: 15.48 mi (24.92 km).
#1 Nevada City
Town in California, County Seat of Nevada County, historic mining town
| Population | 3,148 |
| Coordinates | 39.2617300, -121.0177900 |
| Altitude | 755 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake of the Pines
Census-designated place in Nevada County, California
| Population | 3,917 |
| Coordinates | 39.0396200, -121.0566100 |
| Altitude | 462 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake of the Pines (-121.05661, 39.03962)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 31 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $3.98 | $7.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $4.19 | $8.37 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $4.31 | $8.62 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $5.22 | $10.44 |
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 · Apr 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.