Airport Experiences in SoCal

I grew up in Redlands, and am U of R alum ‘80!
I am grateful every day for my education there.

Back then, ONT was basically a cow field.
That’s so awesome to hear! My husband graduated in 89 and loved it-was def hoping she’d go there. Their alumni sure are loyal.
 


How about this one
Local airport approx 30 min drive fly to lax
Or
2 hr drive to different local airport but fly to sna

Flights same price

Thanks
 
How about this one
Local airport approx 30 min drive fly to lax
Or
2 hr drive to different local airport but fly to sna

Flights same price

Thanks
How are you going to feel about the 2 hour drive home when you return? That would be the deciding factor.
 
Have done it a lot as usually the price is a lot less but this time it’s just the California airport. Here a lot of stories about traffics and confusion at lax. Not sure I want to deal with that if it’s true?
 


Have done it a lot as usually the price is a lot less but this time it’s just the California airport. Here a lot of stories about traffics and confusion at lax. Not sure I want to deal with that if it’s true?
I feel like the longer drive to my home airport is more predictable and controllable than the dice-roll of LAX. SNA is so much easier to me, and I would rather put the extra time in to get to and from my home airport, rather than risk it while on my vacation! Honestly, you will spend at least one hour more going from LAX to DLR versus SNA, most days. The difference in your home commute is 90 minutes between the two departing airports. So the overall delta of time is only 30 minutes total. For me, it would be worth the extra 30 minutes to do the extra drive to my home airport and avoid LAX.
 
We flew into lax once and swore to never do it again. I was late booking tickets and the cost to fly into john wayne was a $200 difference each.

We just flew into john wayne last week and its such an easy airport to navigate and the rideshare area is great. Too bad the food options are kind of crappy and no duty free for us Canadians.
 
I just flew in and out of SNA last week, and it's extremely convenient to DLR. The advantage is most evident in the return. I left my hotel in Anaheim, stopped and got gas, returned the rental car and was in the terminal in 25 minutes. Check-in, security (TSA Precheck) and walk to my gate, which was literally in front of the security checkpoint, might have taken an additional 10 minutes.
 
I need a mid afternoon flight on a Wednesday so I can work in the morning. Right now I booked a flight that arrives at 5:35 pm into Long Beach. I'm wondering what the traffic to DLR will be at this point and how long it will take to get there. And any suggestions on transportation--I'm thinking flat rate taxi?
 
I need a mid afternoon flight on a Wednesday so I can work in the morning. Right now I booked a flight that arrives at 5:35 pm into Long Beach. I'm wondering what the traffic to DLR will be at this point and how long it will take to get there. And any suggestions on transportation--I'm thinking flat rate taxi?
If it were me, I would go to the Long Beach Exchange and grab dinner first. Traffic will be lighter if you wait until 7 pm or later.
 
If it were me, I would go to the Long Beach Exchange and grab dinner first. Traffic will be lighter if you wait until 7 pm or later.
Thank you for the advice. I live in a No Cal town with very little traffic. Can you give me a sense of timing--say we left the airport at 6:00--how long would you estimate for drop off at DLR.
 
If it were me, I would go to the Long Beach Exchange and grab dinner first. Traffic will be lighter if you wait until 7 pm or later.
Might have to look into that next time.!! (or maybe on my way home if I have time to kill)

Extremely variable. I would guesstimate 30-60 minutes.
I usually just tell my Uber/Lyft driver to go straight down Willow? which turns into Katella, & it's never taken more than 30min. (stay off the freeway)

*edit*
Not sure what time of day, but I'm sure one had to be during rush-hour. lol
 
Last edited:
usually just tell my Uber/Lyft driver to go straight down Willow? which turns into Katella, & it's never taken more than 30min. (stay off the freeway)
We took that route after dropping someone off at the airport and it worked well until we got closer to Disneyland. We went midday on a Sunday. I don't know what traffic is like on a weekday during rush hour.
 
Might have to look into that next time.!! (or maybe on my way home if I have time to kill)


I usually just tell my Uber/Lyft driver to go straight down Willow? which turns into Katella, & it's never taken more than 30min. (stay off the freeway)

*edit*
Not sure what time of day, but I'm sure one had to be during rush-hour. lol

Wardlow which turns into Ball. The freeway is a better bet - about half of it is on the 22, which is seemingly the last place in SoCal where carpool lane restrictions are enforced thus it moves at speed limit (even during rush hour).
 
Thanks for all the information. When it is rush hour from Long Beach to DLR is it better to do Uber or a flat rate taxi?
 













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