A two-step synthetic approach for the production of renewable 1,3-pentadiene was reported: xylitol deoxydehydration (DODH) by formic acid to 2,4-pentadien-1-ol, 1-formate (2E), followed by deoxygenation to 1,3-pentadiene over Pd/C. The overall carbon yield of 1,3-pentadiene reached 51.8% under the optimized conditions.