This 456.4-mile journey from Dixon, CA to San Bernardino, CA is estimated to take about 8 hours and 26 minutes of driving time. With a highway share of 96%, it's a predominantly highway-focused drive. Given the duration and distance, splitting this trip over two days is recommended to avoid fatigue. The estimated fuel cost is around $105. This route is a solid option for those looking for an efficient way to travel between these two points within California, offering a straightforward travel experience.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
228.2 miles from Dixon, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
296.5 mi
5h 19m
Foothill Freeway
73.7 mi
1h 24m
I 5 Truck
58.4 mi
1h 6m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12 mi
13m
Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi
4m
Capital City Freeway
3.3 mi
3m
Golden State Freeway
2 mi
2m
San Bernardino Freeway
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 296.5 mi, about 5h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dixon, CA and San Bernardino, CA.
1
Start on West A Street
224 ft·11 sec·West A Street
2
Turn left onto CA 113
1.8 mi·2 min·North 1st Street
3
Take the ramp onto CA 113
0.3 mi·35 sec·CA 113
4
Merge onto I 80; CA 113
3.6 mi·4 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business
3.3 mi·3 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 82Toward Sacramento, South Lake TahoeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 South: Los AngelesUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 5
59 mi·1 hr 5 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·17 sec
Exit 161AToward I 210 East: PasadenaUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 210
24 mi·28 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
19 mi·22 min·Foothill Freeway
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, VenturaUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi·3 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
23 mi·26 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 74Toward I 215: Barstow, RiversideUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 74Toward I 215 South: RiversideUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 215
0.2 mi·13 sec·Barstow Freeway
26
Continue on I 215
1.8 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 44AToward CA 66 West: 5th Street, Civic CenterUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn left onto CA 66
0.8 mi·1 min·West 5th Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
West 5th Street
Trip Plan
For this 8-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles metropolitan area. With a recommended two-day split, you could aim for roughly 4 hours of driving each day. Plan for at least two stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major change in road is considerable at 296.5 miles. Being on the Westside Freeway for a significant portion means you'll encounter typical California interstate conditions.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 228.2 miles from Dixon, CA, or about 4h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 296.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 100 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 228.2 miles or 4h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 228.2 miles or 4h 9m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Bernardino, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dixon, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dixon, CA
Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into San Bernardino, CA
Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Dixon, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 296.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.9 and 452.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
17.9 mi into trip|~21m in|US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 82
Toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
8
21.1 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angel...
9
21.3 mi into trip|~25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
8
403.1 mi into trip|~7h 23m in|I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino,...
8
452.4 mi into trip|~8h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 215: Barstow, Riverside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 74
Toward I 215: Barstow, Riverside
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$104.90 one way
$209.80 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg160 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$108.10
$216.20
premium
$6.18
$110.99
$221.98
diesel
$5.61
$100.77
$201.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$105
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$235–$345
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 159.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
136.9
1
$47.92
$21.91
Efficient EV
114.1
1
$39.93
$18.26
EV Truck/SUV
182.6
2
$63.90
$29.21
Gas CO2
160 kg
EV CO2
53 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 21, 2026
Origin
Dixon, CA
Late night
in Dixon on Tuesday
Local time
2:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Rain
SSE 2 mph92% chanceLive forecast
Winter Storm Warning
Winter Storm Warning issued April 21 at 12:38AM PDT until April 22 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued April 21 at 12:34AM PDT until April 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
San Bernardino, CA
Late night
in San Bernardino on Tuesday
Local time
2:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Winter Storm Warning
Winter Storm Warning issued April 21 at 12:38AM PDT until April 22 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued April 21 at 12:34AM PDT until April 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 26m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 377.7
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 314.7
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive on this route, with 96% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the Westside Freeway, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 296.5 miles. The profile suggests a consistent driving experience, primarily on interstates like the Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway, with a brief portion on I 5 Truck. The character of the road remains largely consistent, prioritizing direct travel over varied scenery.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 296.5 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.9 miles in near US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 456.4 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 17.9 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dixon, CA to San Bernardino, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
The longest stretch is about 296.5 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 228 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at San Bernardino, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.9 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at San Bernardino, CA before the return drive.
