How far is San Jose, CA from Empire, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Empire, CA is about 85 miles (136.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 58.2 miles (93.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 44m 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 52m.
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 San Jose and Empire.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Empire.
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1
Start on North Market Street
60 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
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2
Continue on Coleman Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Coleman Avenue
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 880 North: Oakland
1675 ft · 43 sec
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4
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 min
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
3139 ft · 41 sec · Nimitz Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Sacramento
1.6 mi · 2 min
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7
Take the exit straight toward I 680 North: Sacramento
1012 ft · 25 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 680 North: Sacramento
1618 ft · 41 sec
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9
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road
5.5 mi · 8 min
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11
Merge slight right onto Isabel Avenue
4.3 mi · 7 min · Isabel Avenue
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 580 East: Stockton
2679 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi · 15 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
11.1 mi · 12 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Vernalis Freeway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Vernalis Freeway
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16
Continue on State Highway 132
3.1 mi · 4 min · State Highway 132
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17
Continue on Maze Boulevard
11.2 mi · 15 min · Maze Boulevard
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18
Turn left onto North Dakota Avenue
2552 ft · 37 sec · North Dakota Avenue
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19
Turn right
3.1 mi · 4 min
-
20
Continue on Needham Street
1 mi · 2 min · Needham Street
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21
Continue on 17th Street
1016 ft · 44 sec · 17th Street
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22
Turn left onto H Street
126 m · 8 sec · H Street
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23
Turn slight right
127 m · 20 sec
-
24
Continue on La Loma Avenue
155 m · 10 sec · La Loma Avenue
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward La Loma Avenue
53 m · 4 sec · La Loma Avenue
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26
Exit the roundabout onto La Loma Avenue
1314 ft · 27 sec · La Loma Avenue
-
27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward La Loma Avenue
19 m · 1 sec · La Loma Avenue
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28
Exit the roundabout onto La Loma Avenue
1892 ft · 39 sec · La Loma Avenue
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29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward La Loma Avenue
34 m · 8 sec · La Loma Avenue
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30
Exit the roundabout onto La Loma Avenue
1705 ft · 37 sec · La Loma Avenue
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31
Turn left onto Yosemite Boulevard
3.8 mi · 7 min · Yosemite Boulevard
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Yosemite Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and Empire.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi · 00h 15m
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 San Jose and Sunny near Empire.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to Empire?
The road trip is about 85 miles (136.8 km) and usually takes 01h 52m 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 42.4 miles from San Jose and 42.5 miles from Empire.
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 26.8 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 2:46 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.31 one way or $34.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Jose and Sunny near Empire.
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 San Jose and Empire. Straight-line distance: 58.22 mi (93.69 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Empire
Place in Stanislaus County, USA
| Population | 4,189 |
| Coordinates | 37.6382600, -120.9021500 |
| Altitude | 36 |
| Country | United States |
End: Empire (-120.90215, 37.63826)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 137 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $17.31 | $34.61 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $18.20 | $36.40 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $18.73 | $37.46 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $22.70 | $45.40 |
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.