Empire to San Francisco is 95.2 miles and takes about 2h 1m via Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route travels entirely within California, connecting two points in the Pacific Coast region. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward and efficient journey. Given its relatively short duration, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.6 miles from Empire, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
29.6 mi
34m
CA 132
21.8 mi
29m
MacArthur Freeway
15.5 mi
17m
William Elton Brown Freeway
11.8 mi
12m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6 mi
9m
Yosemite Boulevard
3.8 mi
6m
Route 80
1.4 mi
2m
La Loma Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
— 29.6 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Empire, CA and San Francisco, CA.
1
Start on CA 132
3.8 mi·6 min·Yosemite Boulevard
2
Turn slight right onto La Loma Avenue
0.3 mi·35 sec·La Loma Avenue
3
Enter roundabout onto La Loma Avenue
120 ft·8 sec·La Loma Avenue
4
Continue on La Loma Avenue
0.4 mi·37 sec·La Loma Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto La Loma Avenue
86 ft·1 sec·La Loma Avenue
6
Continue on La Loma Avenue
0.3 mi·26 sec·La Loma Avenue
7
Enter roundabout onto La Loma Avenue
71 ft·1 sec·La Loma Avenue
8
Continue on La Loma Avenue
511 ft·12 sec·La Loma Avenue
9
Continue on 19th Street
527 ft·12 sec·19th Street
10
Turn straight onto Downey Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·Downey Avenue
11
Continue on CA 108
0.7 mi·1 min·Needham Street
12
Continue on Needham Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·Needham Street
13
Continue on CA 132
3.1 mi·4 min·CA 132
14
Turn left onto CA 132
0.4 mi·30 sec·North Dakota Avenue
15
Take the exit onto CA 132
19 mi·24 min·CA 132
16
Merge onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass
1.1 mi·1 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
18
Merge onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
12 mi·13 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
8.3 mi·9 min·MacArthur Freeway
Toward I 580: Oakland, San FranciscoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
7.2 mi·8 min·MacArthur Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 19AToward I 80 West: San Francisco
23
Merge onto I 80
0.2 mi·17 sec·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Toward I 80 West: San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn slight left onto I 80
0.4 mi·33 sec·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight left lane.
26
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·24 sec·Route 80
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
27
Continue on I 80
0.8 mi·1 min·Route 80
Exit 2AUse the straight / slight left lanes.
28
Continue on I 80
0.4 mi·32 sec·Route 80
Exit 1AUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 1BToward US 101 North: Golden Gate BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto US 101
0.3 mi·25 sec·Central Freeway
31
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
0.5 mi·42 sec·Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434BToward Octavia Boulevard, Fell StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn right onto Market Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·Market Street
Use the right lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Market Street
34
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
Since this trip is only about 2 hours long, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, though the short duration means a late afternoon departure is also feasible. With only 95.2 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $22, you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. Plan for a brief stop if needed, but the drive is manageable without extensive breaks. Keep an eye out for transitions between the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway and the MacArthur Freeway as you approach your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.6 miles from Empire, CA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 21 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.6 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Francisco, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Empire, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Empire, CA
This is one driving day of about 95.2 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Empire, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway for about 29.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 58.2 and 93.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
58.2 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
69.9 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|I 580 / MacArthur Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Oakland, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580: Oakland, San Francisco
6
78.2 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|I 580 / MacArthur Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
86.3 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway toward I 80 West: San Francisco
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 West: San Francisco
8
93.7 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.58 one way
$43.15 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$22.32
$44.65
premium
$6.09
$22.83
$45.67
diesel
$5.40
$20.25
$40.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.6
0
$10.00
$4.57
Efficient EV
23.8
0
$8.33
$3.81
EV Truck/SUV
38.1
0
$13.33
$6.09
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Empire, CA
Evening
in Empire on Saturday
Local time
6:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Francisco, CA
Evening
in San Francisco on Saturday
Local time
6:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
S 14 mph93% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
15 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 1m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 88.6
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 95.2
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$15
near mile 95.2
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 78.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely a highway-focused experience, with 84% of the route utilizing major freeways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 29.6 miles. The journey progresses along the MacArthur Freeway and CA 132, offering a consistent, high-speed travel profile. Expect a straightforward path with minimal deviations from the main arterial roads, prioritizing directness over scenic detours.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.6 mi on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway and CA 132. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 58.2 miles in near I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 95.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 58.2 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.9 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.2 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The centerpiece of the Bay Area, San Francisco is one of the most visited cities in the world, and with good reason. The cultural center of northern California, San Francisco is renowned for its mixture of scenic beauty and unique culture that makes it one of the most vibrant and desirable cities in the nation, if not the world.
Sandwiched between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean on a small square of land seven miles (11 km) on each side, San Francisco offers a wealth of treasures for the visitor, from the windswept and often foggy bay to the steep hills lined with Victorian homes that overlook the spectacular scenery of the city.
Top landmarks
•Golden Gate Bridge — suspension bridge on the San Francisco Bay
•Alcatraz Island — island in San Francisco, California, United States of America
•San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge — suspension bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, California, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 95.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.6 miles on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at San Francisco, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 58.2 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.9 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.2 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at San Francisco, CA before heading back.
