Palo Alto to San Francisco: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Palo Alto from San Francisco?

The distance from Palo Alto to San Francisco is 27.5 miles (44.3 km) as the crow flies. San Francisco is located NNW of Palo Alto. By car, the driving distance is approximately 32.7 miles, taking about 44min. A direct flight would take roughly 33min. Both are located in United States.

This is a very short trip, perfect for a quick morning drive or an easy commute. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Palo Alto and San Francisco. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.