 The elevation of Susanville is approximately above sea level.It is considered a gateway city to Reno on U.S. Route 395.According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.03 square miles (20.8 km²), of which 7.95 square miles (20.58 km²) or 98.93% is land and 0.09 square miles (0.22 km²) or 1.07% is water.