How far is Fremont, CA from Palo Alto, CA?
The driving distance from Fremont, CA to Palo Alto, CA is about 17.7 miles (28.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.2 miles (18 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 28m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Alameda County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fremont and Palo Alto.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fremont and Palo Alto.
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1
Start on Mowry Avenue
33 m · 5 sec · Mowry Avenue
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2
Continue on Mowry Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Mowry Avenue
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3
Take the ramp straight toward I 880 North: Oakland
1572 ft · 41 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Nimitz Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward CA 84 West: Decoto Road, Dumbarton Bridge
1793 ft · 46 sec
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6
Continue on Decoto Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Decoto Road
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7
Keep slight right
7.4 mi · 10 min
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8
Turn left onto Willow Road
1 mi · 2 min · Willow Road
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9
Take the ramp right toward US 101 South: San Jose
1127 ft · 30 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Bayshore Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Embarcadero Road, Oregon Expressway
799 ft · 19 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Stanford University, Embarcadero Road West
1096 ft · 27 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Embarcadero Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Embarcadero Road
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14
Turn sharp left onto Middlefield Road
30 m · 3 sec · Middlefield Road
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Middlefield Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fremont and Palo Alto.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Decoto Road
Keep slight right
7.41 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Fremont and Mostly Sunny near Palo Alto.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fremont to Palo Alto?
The road trip is about 17.7 miles (28.5 km) and usually takes 00h 28m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Newark is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.8 miles from Fremont and 8.8 miles from Palo Alto.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.2 miles (18 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.58 one way or $7.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fremont and Mostly Sunny near Palo Alto.
Stop Ideas Near Newark
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Newark.
Fremont station
Fremont (San Joaquin Buses), California
Hayward station
Santa Clara – Great America station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fremont and Palo Alto. Straight-line distance: 11.21 mi (18.04 km).
#1 Fremont
The fifth most populous city in California.
| Population | 234,569 |
| Coordinates | 37.5482700, -121.9885700 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Palo Alto
The most populous city in Santa Clara County, California.
| Population | 67,008 |
| Coordinates | 37.4418800, -122.1430200 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palo Alto (-122.14302, 37.44188)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 28 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $3.58 | $7.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $3.76 | $7.52 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $3.87 | $7.74 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $4.69 | $9.38 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · May 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.