Best Time to Drive from Richmond to Palo Alto

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 46 minutes via I-880 South, usually 46 at this time.

On weekdays the 47-mile drive from Richmond to Palo Alto (via I-880 South) usually takes as little as 43 minutes and up to 73 minutes, when leaving around 7:30 am on Tuesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 6 am or after 7 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 53 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3:30 pm on Saturdays (58 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Richmond 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	44	52	60	62	58	53	53	53	52	52	55	53	54	48	46	45	45
Tue	43	56	69	72	65	57	55	52	51	53	55	58	61	54	46	45	44
Wed	43	55	70	70	63	56	54	52	52	53	56	59	62	53	46	45	44
Thu	43	55	66	68	62	55	54	52	52	54	57	62	64	56	46	45	44
Fri	43	50	55	56	54	51	52	53	54	57	59	62	61	55	49	45	44
Sat	44	45	45	45	46	48	52	53	53	55	56	57	57	54	49	47	45
Sun	44	44	44	44	45	46	50	52	53	54	54	54	54	51	49	48	45

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 Richmond to Palo Alto?

On weekdays, leave before 6 am or after 7 pm. The drive usually takes about 43 minutes then, versus up to 73 minutes at the worst times.

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

The 47-mile drive usually takes 43 to 73 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 53 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Richmond to Palo Alto?

Leaving around 7:30 am on Tuesdays is usually slowest, about 73 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Palo Alto to Richmond (return trip) · Richmond to San Francisco · Richmond to Oakland · Richmond to San Jose · Richmond to Berkeley · Richmond to Fremont · Richmond to Walnut Creek · Richmond to San Mateo · Richmond to Hayward · Richmond to Mountain View · Richmond to Pleasanton · Richmond 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	52	60	62	58	53	53	53	52	52	55	53	54	48	46	45	45
Tue	43	56	69	72	65	57	55	52	51	53	55	58	61	54	46	45	44
Wed	43	55	70	70	63	56	54	52	52	53	56	59	62	53	46	45	44
Thu	43	55	66	68	62	55	54	52	52	54	57	62	64	56	46	45	44
Fri	43	50	55	56	54	51	52	53	54	57	59	62	61	55	49	45	44
Sat	44	45	45	45	46	48	52	53	53	55	56	57	57	54	49	47	45
Sun	44	44	44	44	45	46	50	52	53	54	54	54	54	51	49	48	45

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	44	52	60	62	58	53	53	53	52	52	55	53	54	48	46	45	45
Tue	43	56	69	72	65	57	55	52	51	53	55	58	61	54	46	45	44
Wed	43	55	70	70	63	56	54	52	52	53	56	59	62	53	46	45	44
Thu	43	55	66	68	62	55	54	52	52	54	57	62	64	56	46	45	44
Fri	43	50	55	56	54	51	52	53	54	57	59	62	61	55	49	45	44
Sat	44	45	45	45	46	48	52	53	53	55	56	57	57	54	49	47	45
Sun	44	44	44	44	45	46	50	52	53	54	54	54	54	51	49	48	45

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	44	52	60	62	58	53	53	53	52	52	55	53	54	48	46	45	45
Tue	43	56	69	72	65	57	55	52	51	53	55	58	61	54	46	45	44
Wed	43	55	70	70	63	56	54	52	52	53	56	59	62	53	46	45	44
Thu	43	55	66	68	62	55	54	52	52	54	57	62	64	56	46	45	44
Fri	43	50	55	56	54	51	52	53	54	57	59	62	61	55	49	45	44
Sat	44	45	45	45	46	48	52	53	53	55	56	57	57	54	49	47	45
Sun	44	44	44	44	45	46	50	52	53	54	54	54	54	51	49	48	45