Traffic Predict
Best Time to Drive from San Mateo to San Francisco
Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 20 minutes via US-101 North, usually 19 at this time.
On weekdays the 20-mile drive from San Mateo to San Francisco (via US-101 North) usually takes as little as 18 minutes and up to 26 minutes, when leaving around 8:30 am on Wednesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 7 am or after 7:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 19 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 12:30 pm on Saturdays (21 minutes).
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 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
| Tue | 18 | 19 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
| Wed | 18 | 19 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
| Thu | 18 | 19 | 20 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 18 |
| Fri | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 18 |
| Sat | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
| Sun | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
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 Mateo to San Francisco?
On weekdays, leave before 7 am or after 7:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 18 minutes then, versus up to 26 minutes at the worst times.
How long does it take to drive from San Mateo to San Francisco?
The 20-mile drive usually takes 18 to 26 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 19 minutes midday.
When is traffic worst from San Mateo to San Francisco?
Leaving around 8:30 am on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 26 minutes.
Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →
More drives
San Francisco to San Mateo (return trip) · San Mateo to Oakland · San Mateo to San Jose · San Mateo to Palo Alto · San Mateo to Berkeley · San Mateo to Fremont · San Mateo to Walnut Creek · San Mateo to Mountain View · San Mateo to Santa Clara · San Mateo to Richmond