Traffic Predict

Best Time to Drive from Palo Alto to San Jose

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 17 minutes via US-101 South, usually 17 at this time.

On weekdays the 17-mile drive from Palo Alto to San Jose (via US-101 South) usually takes as little as 17 minutes and up to 40 minutes, when leaving around 5 pm on Wednesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 8:30 am or after 8 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 19 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 4 pm on Saturdays (18 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Palo Alto to San Jose by day and time you leave (local time)
Leave5am6am7am8am9am10am11am12pm1pm2pm3pm4pm5pm6pm7pm8pm9pm
Mon1717171819191818191923232421181717
Tue1717171820201919192029323732221817
Wed1717171820191919192029324033211817
Thu1717171819191818192029303732211817
Fri1717171819181819192124252521191817
Sat1717171717171818181818181818181717
Sun1717171717171818181818181818181817

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 San Jose?

On weekdays, leave before 8:30 am or after 8 pm. The drive usually takes about 17 minutes then, versus up to 40 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Palo Alto to San Jose?

The 17-mile drive usually takes 17 to 40 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 19 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Palo Alto to San Jose?

Leaving around 5 pm on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 40 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

San Jose to Palo Alto (return trip) · Palo Alto to San Francisco · Palo Alto to Oakland · 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 · Palo Alto to Richmond

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