Best Time to Drive from Oakland to Palo Alto

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 34 minutes via I-880 South and SR-84 South, usually 34 at this time.

On weekdays the 35-mile drive from Oakland to Palo Alto (via I-880 South and SR-84 South) usually takes as little as 32 minutes and up to 55 minutes, when leaving around 7:30 am on Wednesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 6 am or after 7:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 39 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 4:30 pm on Saturdays (40 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Oakland to Palo Alto by day and time you leave (local time)
Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	33	39	45	47	43	40	39	39	38	38	39	39	39	38	34	34	34
Tue	32	41	51	55	47	43	41	39	38	39	39	43	45	43	35	34	33
Wed	32	41	53	54	46	42	40	39	38	40	41	43	46	42	35	34	33
Thu	32	40	49	50	45	41	39	39	38	40	40	44	48	44	35	34	33
Fri	33	37	41	41	39	38	38	38	39	41	42	45	46	42	37	34	33
Sat	33	34	34	34	34	35	37	38	38	39	39	40	40	38	35	34	33
Sun	33	34	34	34	34	35	35	36	37	37	37	37	38	36	35	35	34

Simulated from typical freeway speeds at each point of the drive for the time you would reach it, from every 5-minute reading we have recorded. Surface streets at each end are estimated.

Questions

What is the best time to drive from Oakland to Palo Alto?

On weekdays, leave before 6 am or after 7:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 32 minutes then, versus up to 55 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Oakland to Palo Alto?

The 35-mile drive usually takes 32 to 55 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 39 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Oakland to Palo Alto?

Leaving around 7:30 am on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 55 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Palo Alto to Oakland (return trip) · Oakland to San Jose · Oakland to Fremont · Oakland to Walnut Creek · Oakland to San Mateo · Oakland to Hayward · Oakland to Mountain View · Oakland to Pleasanton · Oakland to Santa Clara · Oakland to Richmond · Oakland to Sacramento

Open the live traffic map →

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	33	39	45	47	43	40	39	39	38	38	39	39	39	38	34	34	34
Tue	32	41	51	55	47	43	41	39	38	39	39	43	45	43	35	34	33
Wed	32	41	53	54	46	42	40	39	38	40	41	43	46	42	35	34	33
Thu	32	40	49	50	45	41	39	39	38	40	40	44	48	44	35	34	33
Fri	33	37	41	41	39	38	38	38	39	41	42	45	46	42	37	34	33
Sat	33	34	34	34	34	35	37	38	38	39	39	40	40	38	35	34	33
Sun	33	34	34	34	34	35	35	36	37	37	37	37	38	36	35	35	34

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	33	39	45	47	43	40	39	39	38	38	39	39	39	38	34	34	34
Tue	32	41	51	55	47	43	41	39	38	39	39	43	45	43	35	34	33
Wed	32	41	53	54	46	42	40	39	38	40	41	43	46	42	35	34	33
Thu	32	40	49	50	45	41	39	39	38	40	40	44	48	44	35	34	33
Fri	33	37	41	41	39	38	38	38	39	41	42	45	46	42	37	34	33
Sat	33	34	34	34	34	35	37	38	38	39	39	40	40	38	35	34	33
Sun	33	34	34	34	34	35	35	36	37	37	37	37	38	36	35	35	34

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	33	39	45	47	43	40	39	39	38	38	39	39	39	38	34	34	34
Tue	32	41	51	55	47	43	41	39	38	39	39	43	45	43	35	34	33
Wed	32	41	53	54	46	42	40	39	38	40	41	43	46	42	35	34	33
Thu	32	40	49	50	45	41	39	39	38	40	40	44	48	44	35	34	33
Fri	33	37	41	41	39	38	38	38	39	41	42	45	46	42	37	34	33
Sat	33	34	34	34	34	35	37	38	38	39	39	40	40	38	35	34	33
Sun	33	34	34	34	34	35	35	36	37	37	37	37	38	36	35	35	34