If you are planning to travel from Dixon to San Jose, expect a 99.2-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, as it is short enough to complete in one go without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $13 for fuel to cover the distance. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Pacific Coast region, you will remain in the same geographic area throughout the drive. Navigating these local roads provides a direct, albeit turn-heavy, connection between these two California cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.4 miles from Dixon, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Donald D Doyle Highway
32.4 mi
37m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22.2 mi
25m
Luther E Gibson Freeway
12.4 mi
14m
Nimitz Freeway
8.3 mi
9m
Benicia-Martinez Bridge
8 mi
9m
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
4.8 mi
5m
West A Street
1.9 mi
3m
North 1st Street
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Donald D Doyle Highway
— 32.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dixon, CA and San Jose, CA.
1
Start on West A Street
1.9 mi·3 min·West A Street
2
Continue on Dixon Avenue West
0.1 mi·17 sec·Dixon Avenue West
3
Turn right onto Schroeder Road
504 ft·10 sec·Schroeder Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
5
Merge onto I 80
22 mi·25 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 40Toward I 680: Benicia, San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 680
12 mi·14 min·Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 680
8.0 mi·9 min·Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
4.8 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi·1 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
31 mi·35 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 12Toward CA 262Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto CA 262
1.5 mi·2 min·Mission Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 880
8.3 mi·9 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 4AToward Downtown, North First StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi·3 min·North 1st Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
18
Turn right onto West Julian Street
494 ft·17 sec·West Julian Street
19
Turn left onto North Market Street
196 ft·6 sec·North Market Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Market Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because the route is entirely local with zero highway miles, traffic patterns on these specific roads will significantly impact your travel time. Plan for a steady pace, as there are no scheduled stops required for a trip of this duration. Since you will be navigating primarily through local streets, keep a close eye on your GPS to manage the frequent turns effectively. A helpful tip for this route is to ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Dixon, as the $13 cost is a baseline estimate that may fluctuate based on local fuel prices along the way.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.4 miles from Dixon, CA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.4 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Jose, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dixon, CA
This is one driving day of about 94.8 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Dixon, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Donald D Doyle Highway for about 32.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 24.5 and 92.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
24.5 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
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 40
Toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
6
45.5 mi into trip|~54m in|I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
82.7 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward CA 262
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward CA 262
9
82.8 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic Univers...
8
92.9 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, North First Street
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 Downtown, North First Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.79 one way
$43.58 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$22.45
$44.91
premium
$6.18
$23.05
$46.11
diesel
$5.61
$20.93
$41.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.4
0
$9.95
$4.55
Efficient EV
23.7
0
$8.30
$3.79
EV Truck/SUV
37.9
0
$13.27
$6.07
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Dixon, CA
Late night
in Dixon on Tuesday
Local time
3:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Jose, CA
Late night
in San Jose on Tuesday
Local time
3:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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.
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
23 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
1h 54m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 42.5
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 39.2
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$15
near mile 39.2
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 39.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies on local roads like Dixon Avenue West, Schroeder Road, and Dwight D rather than high-speed freeways. In fact, the highway share for this trip is 0%, meaning you will be navigating surface streets for the entire 99.2 miles. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on Dixon Avenue West is 0 miles, you should expect constant adjustments and turns rather than long, straightaways. It is a technical drive that requires your full attention from start to finish.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.4 mi on Donald D Doyle Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.8 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 24.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.5 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Jose, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Warm Springs District along the way.
Often called "the capital of Silicon Valley", San Jose is the largest city in the Bay Area, 3rd largest in California, and the 12th largest city in the United States, with a population of over 997,000 residents as of 2024. It was named the 6th safest big city in the U.S. in 2015. This clean, sprawling metropolis has sports, beautiful vistas, and ethnic enclaves and bleeds into the greater Bay Area for travelers who want to take their time in Northern California.
Top landmarks
•Winchester Mystery House — Mansion in San Jose, California.
•San Jose Diridon station — railway station complex in San Jose, California
•Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum — building in San Jose, California, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 94.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.4 miles on Donald D Doyle Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Jose, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 24.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.5 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at San Jose, CA before heading back.
