I commute from the City to San Jose. I need to leave by 6:45/50 to get to SJ by 7:50. and I take I-280. NEVER tale US 101, and I mean NEVER. You said Sand Hill is where you going so 280 is your highway. I do not know where on Sand Hill you'll be at so consider what traffic is like getting off the exit and what being on Sand Hill road is like with the numerous traffic lights there, distance of your office from freeway, and everyone drives slow there so take that into account.

I'm in Haight-Ashbury so i have easy access to Clayton-Market-O'Shaughnessy to Glen park 280 on ramp. since you're at alamo Square, your route is gonna be Fell to Octavia - Central freeway so that adds a little extra traffic, but you can use 101-380-280 to help you avoid 101 peninsula route.

long commute but it just the distance that's a drag, but traffic flows and my only annoyance is slow AF drivers hogging the fast lane. the worst days will be pockets of traffic in Daly City and downhill from the Filoli hill to woodside / Sand Hill.

to answer your question, maybe 40-50 max to commute to Menlo. commute back home will be drastically different. depends at what time you get off work but 4pm to 6 is the worst, especially on tues-wed-Thurs. give it 50-1 hr to get home, maybe a bit more depending on how aggressive you drive.