Bay Area driving guide · Remote crossing

Mines Road and Del Puerto Canyon

The other way off Mines Road. Instead of turning west for Mount Hamilton, carry on east and drop through Del Puerto Canyon to the Central Valley floor.

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Mines Road south
Del Puerto Canyon Road east

Start: Livermore
Finish: Patterson, on Interstate 5
Return: Optional loop below

Why this drive

Emptiness. Del Puerto runs twenty-four miles through a canyon with almost no development, and once you commit at The Junction there is no shortcut back. Read the surface note before you go — this is not a road for a low, stiff car.

The route

Mines Road south from Livermore
Follow Mines Road south to The Junction, where Del Puerto Canyon Road heads east.
Road details & map →
Del Puerto Canyon east
Drop through the canyon toward Patterson. Drivers have reported broken pavement and slide damage in the section nearest Mines Road.
Road details & map →

Good places to stop

The Junction
Fuel and food, and the last of either before the canyon.
Frank Raines Regional Park ↗
Partway down the canyon, and the only facilities on that side.

Make it a loop

From Patterson, Interstate 5 north and Highway 580 west return you to Livermore in about an hour — or drive the canyon back up, which is the better road in that direction.

Weekends & road conditions

Police sometimes patrol Highway 9 and Skyline, including weekends. Local riders have reported enforcement on both roads. Follow posted limits throughout the drive.

Expect other drivers, motorcycles and cyclists around these popular roads and junctions. Before heading out, check Caltrans QuickMap for state-highway conditions and San Mateo County road closures for local roads.