Best Time to Drive from Palo Alto to Richmond

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 45 minutes via I-880 North, usually 45 at this time.

On weekdays the 46-mile drive from Palo Alto to Richmond (via I-880 North) usually takes as little as 43 minutes and up to 66 minutes, when leaving around 4:30 pm on Wednesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 7 am or after 7:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 50 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 2:30 pm on Saturdays (53 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Palo Alto to Richmond 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	44	46	48	53	51	49	49	48	49	52	56	55	55	50	46	45	44
Tue	43	46	49	60	53	49	48	48	50	55	60	64	64	56	49	46	44
Wed	43	46	48	59	52	49	49	49	50	56	62	65	65	56	50	46	44
Thu	43	46	48	60	54	49	49	49	50	54	61	65	65	57	50	47	44
Fri	43	46	47	51	49	49	49	50	52	57	63	65	61	55	50	46	44
Sat	44	44	44	45	45	46	49	50	51	52	53	52	51	48	46	46	44
Sun	44	44	44	44	45	45	46	47	48	48	49	48	47	47	46	46	44

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 Palo Alto to Richmond?

On weekdays, leave before 7 am or after 7:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 43 minutes then, versus up to 66 minutes at the worst times.

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

The 46-mile drive usually takes 43 to 66 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 50 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Palo Alto to Richmond?

Leaving around 4:30 pm on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 66 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

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

Open the live traffic map →

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	44	46	48	53	51	49	49	48	49	52	56	55	55	50	46	45	44
Tue	43	46	49	60	53	49	48	48	50	55	60	64	64	56	49	46	44
Wed	43	46	48	59	52	49	49	49	50	56	62	65	65	56	50	46	44
Thu	43	46	48	60	54	49	49	49	50	54	61	65	65	57	50	47	44
Fri	43	46	47	51	49	49	49	50	52	57	63	65	61	55	50	46	44
Sat	44	44	44	45	45	46	49	50	51	52	53	52	51	48	46	46	44
Sun	44	44	44	44	45	45	46	47	48	48	49	48	47	47	46	46	44

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	44	46	48	53	51	49	49	48	49	52	56	55	55	50	46	45	44
Tue	43	46	49	60	53	49	48	48	50	55	60	64	64	56	49	46	44
Wed	43	46	48	59	52	49	49	49	50	56	62	65	65	56	50	46	44
Thu	43	46	48	60	54	49	49	49	50	54	61	65	65	57	50	47	44
Fri	43	46	47	51	49	49	49	50	52	57	63	65	61	55	50	46	44
Sat	44	44	44	45	45	46	49	50	51	52	53	52	51	48	46	46	44
Sun	44	44	44	44	45	45	46	47	48	48	49	48	47	47	46	46	44

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	44	46	48	53	51	49	49	48	49	52	56	55	55	50	46	45	44
Tue	43	46	49	60	53	49	48	48	50	55	60	64	64	56	49	46	44
Wed	43	46	48	59	52	49	49	49	50	56	62	65	65	56	50	46	44
Thu	43	46	48	60	54	49	49	49	50	54	61	65	65	57	50	47	44
Fri	43	46	47	51	49	49	49	50	52	57	63	65	61	55	50	46	44
Sat	44	44	44	45	45	46	49	50	51	52	53	52	51	48	46	46	44
Sun	44	44	44	44	45	45	46	47	48	48	49	48	47	47	46	46	44