Best Time to Drive from San Jose to Palo Alto

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 30 minutes via US-101 North and SR-87 North, usually 18 at this time.

On weekdays the 18-mile drive from San Jose to Palo Alto (via US-101 North and SR-87 North) usually takes as little as 17 minutes and up to 30 minutes, when leaving around 8:30 am on Tuesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 6:30 am or after 7 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 19 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 5 pm on Sundays (18 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 Jose to Palo Alto?

On weekdays, leave before 6:30 am or after 7 pm. The drive usually takes about 17 minutes then, versus up to 30 minutes at the worst times.

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

The 18-mile drive usually takes 17 to 30 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 19 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from San Jose to Palo Alto?

Leaving around 8:30 am on Tuesdays is usually slowest, about 30 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

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

Open the live traffic map →