How far is Empire, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Empire, CA to San Jose, CA is about 88.2 miles (142 km), with a travel time of about 01h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 58.2 miles (93.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 44m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Alameda County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Empire and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Empire and San Jose.
-
1
Start on Yosemite Boulevard
3.8 mi · 7 min · Yosemite Boulevard
-
2
Turn slight right onto La Loma Avenue
1705 ft · 36 sec · La Loma Avenue
-
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward La Loma Avenue
37 m · 8 sec · La Loma Avenue
-
4
Exit the roundabout onto La Loma Avenue
1881 ft · 38 sec · La Loma Avenue
-
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward La Loma Avenue
26 m · 2 sec · La Loma Avenue
-
6
Exit the roundabout onto La Loma Avenue
1329 ft · 27 sec · La Loma Avenue
-
7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward La Loma Avenue
22 m · 2 sec · La Loma Avenue
-
8
Exit the roundabout onto La Loma Avenue
156 m · 12 sec · La Loma Avenue
-
9
Continue on 19th Street
527 ft · 12 sec · 19th Street
-
10
Turn straight onto Downey Avenue
1011 ft · 22 sec · Downey Avenue
-
11
Continue on Needham Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Needham Street
-
12
Continue on Needham Street
1536 ft · 46 sec · Needham Street
-
13
Continue straight
3.1 mi · 4 min
-
14
Turn left onto North Dakota Avenue
2374 ft · 31 sec · North Dakota Avenue
-
15
Take the exit slight right
18.8 mi · 25 min
-
16
Merge slight left onto William Elton Brown Freeway
10.7 mi · 11 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
-
18
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi · 15 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 84: Isabel Avenue, Portola Avenue
1611 ft · 41 sec
-
20
Turn left onto Isabel Avenue
4.7 mi · 7 min · Isabel Avenue
-
21
Continue on Vallecitos Road
5.2 mi · 7 min · Vallecitos Road
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on I 680 South: Fremont, San Jose
2276 ft · 56 sec
-
23
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 10 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward CA 262
866 ft · 21 sec
-
25
Keep slight right to continue on CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
1597 ft · 39 sec
-
26
Merge slight left onto Mission Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · Mission Boulevard
-
27
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Nimitz Freeway
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, North First Street
991 ft · 26 sec
-
29
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · North 1st Street
-
30
Turn right onto West Julian Street
151 m · 18 sec · West Julian Street
-
31
Turn left onto North Market Street
60 m · 7 sec · North Market Street
-
32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Empire and San Jose.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
North Dakota Avenue
Take the exit slight right
18.8 mi · 00h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Empire and Sunny near San Jose.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Empire to San Jose?
The road trip is about 88.2 miles (142 km) and usually takes 01h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Livermore is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.1 miles from Empire and 46.2 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 58.2 miles (93.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 30 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:00 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.94 one way or $35.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Empire and Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Livermore
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Livermore.
Livermore, California
Livermore, CA
Pleasanton, CA
Dublin-Pleasanton, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Empire and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 58.22 mi (93.69 km).
#1 Empire
Place in Stanislaus County, USA
| Population | 4,189 |
| Coordinates | 37.6382600, -120.9021500 |
| Altitude | 36 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Jose
The tenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Jose metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,013,616 |
| Coordinates | 37.3393900, -121.8949600 |
| Altitude | 26 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Market Street (-121.894962, 37.339389)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 142 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $17.94 | $35.88 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $18.87 | $37.73 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $19.42 | $38.83 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $23.53 | $47.07 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.