It happened around 5:45 am at the intersection of Clarkson Avenue and San Mateo Avenue.
California Highway Patrol officers say the driver of an SUV was traveling north on San Mateo and failed to stop at the intersection. He collided with the tank truck that was headed west on Clarkson.
The man inside the SUV died at the scene, officials said.
The tank truck driver was not injured.
Officers say there was no fog in the area at the time of the crash.