How far is San Francisco, CA from Palo Alto, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Palo Alto, CA is about 33.1 miles (53.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.5 miles (44.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 26m 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 43m.
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.
The second most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and Palo Alto.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Palo Alto.
-
1
Start on Market Street
95 m · 8 sec · Market Street
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2
Turn right onto 11th Street
3173 ft · 2 min · 11th Street
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3
Turn left onto Bryant Street
143 m · 18 sec · Bryant Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 South: San Jose
1719 ft · 29 sec
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5
Merge slight right onto James Lick Freeway
4.3 mi · 6 min · James Lick Freeway
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6
Continue on Bayshore Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Bayshore Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
21 mi · 24 min · Bayshore Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Embarcadero Road, Oregon Expressway
799 ft · 19 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Stanford University, Embarcadero Road West
1096 ft · 27 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Embarcadero Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Embarcadero Road
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11
Turn sharp left onto Middlefield Road
30 m · 3 sec · Middlefield Road
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Middlefield Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco 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.
Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
21 mi · 00h 24m
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Palo Alto?
The road trip is about 33.1 miles (53.2 km) and usually takes 00h 43m 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?
San Mateo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.5 miles from San Francisco and 16.5 miles from Palo Alto.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.5 miles (44.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.6 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 7:04 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.69 one way or $13.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around San Francisco and Mostly Sunny near Palo Alto.
Stop Ideas Near San Mateo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
My City Hall Wedding
City of South San Francisco: City Attorney
Foster City - City Hall
City Hall Events Office
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Mateo.
Hayward station
Oakland Coliseum station
San Francisco (Civic Center), California
San Francisco (Caltrain), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and Palo Alto. Straight-line distance: 27.54 mi (44.32 km).
#1 San Francisco
The seventeenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Francisco Bay Area.
| Population | 866,606 |
| Coordinates | 37.7749300, -122.4194200 |
| Altitude | 16 |
| 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: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $6.69 | $13.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $7.04 | $14.07 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $7.24 | $14.48 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $8.78 | $17.56 |
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.