Best Time to Drive from San Francisco to San Mateo

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 19 minutes via US-101 South, usually 18 at this time.

On weekdays the 19-mile drive from San Francisco to San Mateo (via US-101 South) usually takes as little as 18 minutes and up to 23 minutes, when leaving around 5:30 pm on Wednesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 7:30 am or after 6:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 19 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 4:30 pm on Saturdays (20 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

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 San Francisco to San Mateo?

On weekdays, leave before 7:30 am or after 6:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 18 minutes then, versus up to 23 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to San Mateo?

The 19-mile drive usually takes 18 to 23 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 19 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from San Francisco to San Mateo?

Leaving around 5:30 pm on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 23 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

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

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