How far is it from Portola Valley, CA, to San Mateo, CA, ?

The distance between Portola Valley, CA, and San Mateo, CA, is 18 mi by road.

How long does it take to drive from Portola Valley, CA, to San Mateo, CA, ?

The drive from Portola Valley, CA, to San Mateo, CA, takes approximately 30 min by car.

What is the best route from Portola Valley, CA, to San Mateo, CA, ?

The fastest route from Portola Valley, CA, to San Mateo, CA, covers 18 mi with a driving time of approximately 30 min.

Which direction is San Mateo, CA from Portola Valley, CA?

San Mateo, CA lies roughly to the north of Portola Valley, CA.

Are there charging stations between Portola Valley, CA and San Mateo, CA?

Yes. You can charge along the route from Portola Valley, CA to San Mateo, CA, including 4200 Dumont (350 kW); BoA Hillsdale CA5-143 (San Mateo, CA) (350 kW); Bridgepointe Shopping Center (350 kW). Charging points on this route: 481.

Portola Valley, CA San Mateo, CA

Distance: 18 miDuration: 30 min

Driving from Portola Valley, CA to San Mateo, CA takes about 30 min via I 280. The distance is 18 mi. The straight-line distance is 14 mi. Driving directions

EV Charging Stations Attractions Show more

Driving directions18 · 18 mi

This 18-mile stretch starts with a 30-minute drive on Portola Road. From there, the route follows the Junipero Serra Freeway and CA 92, ending at Palm Avenue in the center of San Mateo.

1 Depart left 89 yd
2 Turn right 1 mi
3 At end of road, turn left onto Willowbrook Drive 122 yd
4 Turn left onto Portola Road 3 mi
5 Continue straight onto Sand Hill Road 1 mi
6 Turn left onto Whiskey Hill Road 2 mi
7 Turn straight 59 yd
8 Turn slightly right onto Woodside Road 1 mi
9 Turn left 1 mi
10 Merge slightly left onto Junipero Serra Freeway 8 mi
11 Take exit slightly right 140 yd
12 Keep slightly right 1 mi
13 Merge slightly left onto J Arthur Younger Freeway 4 mi

14 Take exit slightly right 1 mi
15 Turn left onto South El Camino Real 1 mi
16 Turn right onto 17th Avenue 170 yd
17 Turn right onto Palm Avenue 127 yd
18 Arrive right onto Palm Avenue

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The return trip from San Mateo, CA to Portola Valley, CA covers roughly the same distance, 18 mi.

Driving directions from Portola Valley, CA to San Mateo, CA
Charging points along the way
Top attractions along the route
Find hotels near San Mateo, CA
Rent a car near Portola Valley, CA
Popular routes from destination
Questions and answers

Along the way

Charging points along the way

481 chargers

4200 DumontCCS · 4242 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA, 94403350 kW
BoA Hillsdale CA5-143 (San Mateo, CA)CCS, CHAdeMO · 2900 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA, 94403350 kW
Bridgepointe Shopping CenterCCS · 3010 Bridgepointe Parkway, San Mateo, CA, 94404350 kW
Carlmont Village Shopping CenterCCS, CHAdeMO · 1049 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont, CA, 94002350 kW
Chase Bank - 1200 El Camino RealCCS, CHAdeMO · 1200 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA, 94066350 kW

EV Charging Stations

Data source: OpenChargeMap

Top attractions along the route

No notable attractions were found along this route.

Book

Find hotels near San Mateo, CA

Rent a car near Portola Valley, CA

Explore

Popular routes from destination

This 18-mile stretch starts with a 30-minute drive on Portola Road. From there, the route follows the Junipero Serra Freeway and CA 92, ending at Palm Avenue in the center of San Mateo.

Popular destinations close by

San Mateo, CA → Emeryville, CA28 mi · 40 min San Mateo, CA → Sausalito, CA29 mi · 50 min San Mateo, CA → Belmont, CA4 mi · 10 min San Mateo, CA → San Carlos Airport (SQL)6 mi · 10 min San Mateo, CA → Redwood City, CA8 mi · 15 min San Mateo, CA → San Bruno, CA10 mi · 20 min

Sources

Distance and drive time are computed from OpenStreetMap road data with the OSRM routing engine. Updated October 1, 2026.

Overview

Questions and answers

How far is it from Portola Valley, CA, {fromState} to San Mateo, CA, {toState}?: The distance between Portola Valley, CA, {fromState} and San Mateo, CA, {toState} is 18 mi by road.
How long does it take to drive from Portola Valley, CA, {fromState} to San Mateo, CA, {toState}?: The drive from Portola Valley, CA, {fromState} to San Mateo, CA, {toState} takes approximately 30 min by car.
What is the best route from Portola Valley, CA, {fromState} to San Mateo, CA, {toState}?: The fastest route from Portola Valley, CA, {fromState} to San Mateo, CA, {toState} covers 18 mi with a driving time of approximately 30 min.
Which direction is San Mateo, CA from Portola Valley, CA?: San Mateo, CA lies roughly to the north of Portola Valley, CA.
Are there charging stations between Portola Valley, CA and San Mateo, CA?: Yes. You can charge along the route from Portola Valley, CA to San Mateo, CA, including 4200 Dumont (350 kW); BoA Hillsdale CA5-143 (San Mateo, CA) (350 kW); Bridgepointe Shopping Center (350 kW). Charging points on this route: 481.

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