Commute from San Jose to Palo Alto
Driving wins at 8 AM: about 40 minutes versus 61 by transit.
| Mode | Time at 8 AM | Distance | Typical route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving | 40 min | 19.2 mi | US-101 N |
| Transit | 1h 1m | 20.4 mi | — |
Weekday morning peak (Tuesday 8 AM departure), Google Maps traffic data. Times checked August 2026.
See how San Jose ranks against 9 other areas — best areas for commuting to Palo Alto →
San Jose is the Bay's biggest city commuting to everyone else's jobs: Caltrain expresses up the Peninsula, BART at Berryessa, and 101/280/87 for the rest.
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