Any CA Road Warriors?

[LaffingBear]

TUESDAY UPDATE: NOT GOING

 

 

Received a last minute invite, spontaneous Independence Day party plans. I'm in SF Bay, party is in LA SFV.

 

Too late for anything but gouge 'em airfares, rental cars, etc... not worth it for 1-2 nights. So, its drive or dont go.

 

Common sense tells me not to do the I5 drive days before & after holiday.

 

Anyone with any CA I5 holiday travel experiences or insights?

Edited July 3, 2018 by LaffingBear

[rvwnsd]

I've not driven at Independence Day, but have at Christmas. My advice would be US 101.

[+ azdr0710]

Anyone with any CA I5 insights?

 

call it "the 5" once you pass Bakersfield

[BigK]

Add some additional destinations and make it a longer trip. Leave Monday to beat Holiday commute traffic and return later in the week or over the weekend.

 

Regarding I5 or 101, check google driving directions and choose your route when you depart. 101 has more potential detours and is a beautiful drive. There are also several passes to consider as travel conditions change.

[LaffingBear]

Cant do any of those. Its 5 on Tues & Thurs, or forget it.

[+ azdr0710]

leaving very, very early coming and going might help on Tues and Thurs??......

[RM]

I can't see 101 ever being better than 5 except when 5 is closed due to snow.

[azulpalido]

There's always the train or greyhound. I only got lice once on the bus (not even joking). I did enjoy the train, except that I was seated near the bathroom and anytime anyone opened that door, a zephyr of SO2 came my way.

[+ easygoingpal]

"leaving very, very early coming and going might help on Tues and Thurs??......"

 

The above suggestion from @azdr0710 is a great idea... Bring with you a large coffee tumbler and you'll probably be there without much delay... Safe travels...!

[LoveNDino]

The 101 in the Goleta area is a nightmare to drive at night. I'd take a chance on the 5 if I were you....

[Ludo]

Always the 5 unless you're doing the drive for scenic purposes. Leave as early as you can stomach.

[+ honcho]

I've driven the 5 on christmas day; if anything it was lighter than at other times I've driven.

 

Northbound through valencia last friday was not fun; on the way down the previous monday, it was clear sailing until I hit

the glendale free way exit in the SFV. I agree with what ludo said.

[LaffingBear]

5 is my only consideration. Its not a leisurely drive; Im looking to make time.

 

Right now, still undecided. If I do it, Ill get on road 6-7 am, hoping to arrive mid-day. The idea of hitting snail's pace at Grapevine, 2-3 extra hours if bad holiday traffic throughout, and then going to a party tomorrow afternoon is daunting. As is just driving around 101 in SFV.

 

And 7/5 day after potential traffic might be worse.

 

More and more, avoidance seems prudent. If it wasnt last minute, Id have made lengthier plans, flown, etc.

[+ Charlie]

My guess is that traffic on the 5 on Tuesday afternoon will be much heavier going northbound out of LA and SFV than southbound into the valley, and vice versa on Thursday.

[GBoi]

5 is my only consideration. Its not a leisurely drive; Im looking to make time.

 

Right now, still undecided. If I do it, Ill get on road 6-7 am, hoping to arrive mid-day. The idea of hitting snail's pace at Grapevine, 2-3 extra hours if bad holiday traffic throughout, and then going to a party tomorrow afternoon is daunting. As is just driving around 101 in SFV.

 

And 7/5 day after potential traffic might be worse.

 

More and more, avoidance seems prudent. If it wasnt last minute, Id have made lengthier plans, flown, etc.

 

Find a friend with frequent flier miles that can help you out. For example on 7/3 United still has saver award space SFO-Burbank, and on 7/5 there is saver space from a few airports for the return to SFO. Each segment is 10k miles.

Edited July 3, 2018 by GBoi

[LaffingBear]

Find a friend with frequent flier miles that can help you out. For example on 7/3 United still has saver award space to SFO-Burbank, and on 7/5 there is saver space at a few airports for the return to SFO. Each segment is 10k miles.

Thats very helpful advice, thanks.

[Ludo]

I have gotten more tickets on the 101 than the 5. If you don't already have it, download the WAZE app and pay attention to the reroutes and police warnings. It's pretty incredible, really how much time it has saved us.

[bigvalboy]

I have gotten more tickets on the 101 than the 5. If you don't already have it, download the WAZE app and pay attention to the reroutes and police warnings. It's pretty incredible, really how much time it has saved us.

 

+1

WAZE app is incredible, AND...

 

101 is a speed trap....

[LaffingBear]

Decided not to go. Thanks to respondents

[body2body]

Take the 5. It is less scenic, but faster. Years ago I learned to watch the Trucks. If they are going fast, then you can go fast. If they are going slow, that means the CHP is near, so observe the speed limit until you see the Trucks speed up again. Given that this is a Holiday weekend this may be pointless. All the roads may be packed.

If you take the train, the scenery is spectacular along the central coast. There is a stretch through Vandenberg AFB, that is about as close as you can get to seeing what California looked like before 40 million people arrived. Remember the Train arrives in Emeryville in the East Bay, not in San Francisco.