Mount Shasta to Quincy: Road Trip Guide

Starting at the foot of 14,179-foot Mount Shasta, the route to Quincy follows Highway 89 south for 60 miles before joining CA-70 east. You'll cross the Pit River, climb over 5,700-foot Chilcoot Pass, and descend into the Feather River Canyon. The drive takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes without stops, but plan for scenic pullouts.

This corridor sits entirely within the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada transition zone, where volcanic peaks give way to granite ridges. The region holds the headwaters of the Sacramento River, and the Fall River and Hat Creek feed clear trout streams along the way.

The route is generally safe, but watch for deer and rocks, especially at dusk. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge on long uphill grades. For children, Burney Falls offers easy paved paths and a picnic area; Lake Almanor has a beach with gentle shallows at Almanor West.

For pets, many pullouts along Hat Creek have access to water but keep dogs leashed in state parks. There are few designated rest areas; plan your breaks at Burney or Chester. Fatigue can creep in on the monotonous stretches; pull over at the Hat Creek viewpoint to stretch.

Hidden off-route gems are accessible: the Subway Caves, 20 miles east of Mount Shasta, offer lava tubes without a guide. The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway is a national scenic byway that intersects the route.

Fuel up in Mount Shasta or Burney; between Burney and Quincy there are no gas stations for 65 miles. Gas prices in Quincy tend to run 20–30 cents higher than in Mount Shasta due to remoteness. The best stops Mount Shasta, CA to Quincy, CA are at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park and the small town of Chester.

Cell service is spotty north of Lake Almanor; download offline maps before leaving Mount Shasta. The only notable elevation gain is over 5,700-foot Chilcoot Pass; the road is plowed in winter, but chains may be required.

• Driving time: 2.5 hours (nonstop) for how long to drive Mount Shasta, CA to Quincy, CA
• Highways: CA-89 south to CA-70 east
• Road surface: well-paved, two-lane, with many curves

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park features a 129-foot waterfall over volcanic basalt, often called 'the Eighth Wonder of the World' by Teddy Roosevelt. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses the road near the park, and short hikes offer views of the falls.

Continuing south, Lake Almanor, formed by a dam on the Feather River, appears as a huge blue expanse. The 30-mile shoreline offers fishing for rainbow trout and smallmouth bass. Chester, a town of 2,000, has a boardwalk and a local diner serving huckleberry shakes.

Is it worth driving Mount Shasta, CA to Quincy, CA? Absolutely—the Feather River Canyon near Quincy displays 2,000-foot granite cliffs, and the Quincy area is known for its Wild and Scenic rivers section, perfect for rafting and hiking. Local commerce includes boutique shops in Quincy's historic district.