Distance Guide
How far is Palo Alto from San Francisco?
The distance between Palo Alto, CA and San Francisco, CA is about 28 miles — roughly a 31 min drive at typical highway speeds.
Distance
28 mi
Drive time
31 min
Midpoint
37.608°, -122.281°
Driving from Palo Alto to San Francisco
Most drivers cover the 28-mile route in about 31 min, depending on traffic, weather, and stops. The fair midpoint lands Burlingame or San Mateo — a natural place to break the trip or meet someone driving from the other direction.
Meet in the middle instead of driving the whole way
If you and a friend are both making this trip just to see each other, meeting halfway saves everyone roughly half the drive — about 14 miles each instead of 28. MidMeetup picks the exact fair midpoint and recommends restaurants, coffee shops, and bars nearby.
Categories of meeting spots near the midpoint
- restaurants halfway between Palo Alto and San Francisco →
- coffee halfway between Palo Alto and San Francisco →
- brunch halfway between Palo Alto and San Francisco →
- bars halfway between Palo Alto and San Francisco →