Traffic Predict
Best Time to Drive from Palo Alto to SFO
Right now (10:01 am PDT): about 20 minutes via US-101 North, usually 20 at this time.
On weekdays the 21-mile drive from Palo Alto to SFO (via US-101 North) usually takes as little as 20 minutes and up to 26 minutes, when leaving around 5:30 pm on Thursdays. The fastest times to leave are before 7:30 am or after 7 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 21 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 12 pm on Saturdays (21 minutes).
⇄ Reverse trip: SFO to Palo Alto
Typical drive time by departure time
| Leave | 5am | 6am | 7am | 8am | 9am | 10am | 11am | 12pm | 1pm | 2pm | 3pm | 4pm | 5pm | 6pm | 7pm | 8pm | 9pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 20 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 |
| Tue | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 21 |
| Wed | 20 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 20 |
| Thu | 20 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
| Fri | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 20 |
| Sat | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
| Sun | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
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 SFO?
On weekdays, leave before 7:30 am or after 7 pm. The drive usually takes about 20 minutes then, versus up to 26 minutes at the worst times.
How long does it take to drive from Palo Alto to SFO?
The 21-mile drive usually takes 20 to 26 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 21 minutes midday.
When is traffic worst from Palo Alto to SFO?
Leaving around 5:30 pm on Thursdays is usually slowest, about 26 minutes.
Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →
More drives
SFO 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 · Palo Alto to Richmond