Traffic Predict
Best Time to Drive from SFO to Palo Alto
Right now (10:01 am PDT): about 21 minutes via US-101 South, usually 21 at this time.
On weekdays the 21-mile drive from SFO to Palo Alto (via US-101 South) usually takes as little as 20 minutes and up to 31 minutes, when leaving around 8:30 am on Wednesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 7 am or after 7 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 22 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 4 pm on Saturdays (23 minutes).
⇄ Reverse trip: Palo Alto to SFO
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 | 21 | 22 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
| Tue | 20 | 21 | 22 | 29 | 29 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 |
| Wed | 20 | 21 | 22 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
| Thu | 20 | 21 | 23 | 30 | 29 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
| Fri | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
| Sat | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Sun | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 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 SFO to Palo Alto?
On weekdays, leave before 7 am or after 7 pm. The drive usually takes about 20 minutes then, versus up to 31 minutes at the worst times.
How long does it take to drive from SFO to Palo Alto?
The 21-mile drive usually takes 20 to 31 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 22 minutes midday.
When is traffic worst from SFO to Palo Alto?
Leaving around 8:30 am on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 31 minutes.
Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →
More drives
Palo Alto to SFO (return trip) · SFO to OAK · SFO to SJC · SFO to San Francisco · SFO to Oakland · SFO to San Jose · SFO to Berkeley · SFO to Fremont · SFO to Walnut Creek · SFO to Mountain View · SFO to Pleasanton · SFO to Santa Clara