Anaheim/L.A. locals - question about I-5 traffic on a Friday night

[disneegrl4eva]

Is the I-5 still really that bad after 7:30p from Burbank heading south? DH and I are thinking of leaving later and stopping in the Valencia/Santa Clarita area. But we want to go to Disneyland on Friday night and don't want to get there TOO late.

MommyLove, please let us know what your experience is on the SoCA freeway system on a Friday evening. We'll be doing the same thing on a Friday in November... on a holiday weekend (Veteran's Day) nonetheless. Don't really have a choice, as kids will be in school until 3pm so we'll be hitting the area probably close to 7pm (unless DH drives really fast).

After 7 or 7:30 (we'll most likely grab dinner on the road too), would taking the 210-57 still be better than staying on the 5?

-- Hulamom

I personally have done that fwy up until this past june and thats the part of the trip I always dreaded...what could normally take 25 to 30 min can and has turned into anywhere from 1 to 2 1/2 hours of back to back traffic...once I found the 210/57 fwy I was gun ho...Im not telling you that you arent going to experience traffic backup but I am telling you it wont be as bad as the 5 and hulamom....not only are you coming down on a friday but being a 3 day weekend will make it even worse so I would definitely steer clear of the 5

 

[Hester]

Is the I-5 still really that bad after 7:30p from Burbank heading south?

Actually yes...

I used to drive south every weekend for years and it's gotten worse and worse. I used to leave at 7 pm (10 years ago) but recently I've even had traffic at 10 pm... it's nuts. Throw in an accident or an event (at Dodger Stadium, etc) it gets even worse.

 

[MommyLove]

Actually yes...

I used to drive south every weekend for years and it's gotten worse and worse. I used to leave at 7 pm (10 years ago) but recently I've even had traffic at 10 pm... it's nuts. Throw in an accident or an event (at Dodger Stadium, etc) it gets even worse.

10pm?! Wow, ok. Sounds like we def'ly want to avoid I-5 through there, lol. Thanks!!

One thing people also forget is that the 134/210 route is also the route everyone in the Valley uses to escape to Vegas on Friday nights. Adds a bit of issue to that direction. I don't know how bad that has been recently, with the current economic state of the union, but it used to be horrible.

DO NOT...I repeat do NOT take the 210 to the 57 at rush hour traffic which is from 430pm - 730pm on a friday. I live near the 57 off the 210 and it is horrible on fridays even with the carpool lane.

Ok then, if we didn't do that, what about taking the 405? Either all the way, or cutting over on 91?

 

[disneychrista]

Could you leave earlier? We live about 90 mins north of SF and always leave between 4 -5pm to avoid as much traffic as we can. We always get to Anaheim by 3pm. And in all honesty no matter what time you get to LA area there will always be traffic.

I just checked Mapquest and they are now suggesting taking 170 (Hollywood) to 101 back to 5. Any advice on this?

 

[TravelNicholas]

My family and I drove down from central California - I-5 the entire way - on Friday 9/12. We left at 3 PM and arrived right at 6 PM with 1 brief stop. The trip is just under 140 miles for us one way.

Yesterday (Sunday 9/14), traffic was noticeably less congested but it took just 30 minutes less - 2.5 hours from Paradise Pier to our home.

 

[Leofoenget]

Hey all - we're almost there! We're leaving from northern California coming down I-5 and we'd hit the L.A. area around 6pm or so. This Friday night. Are we headed for nightmare traffic? Are there carpool lanes and are those moving at a decent pace? If it's too crazy at that time, about when will it slow down? We could schedule in a long dinner stop just after the grapevine or something (any recommendations on where to sop would be great).

TIA!

You will have a free shot on the 5 until you hit Santa Clarita. Then it will start to back up. I think your idea of stopping for dinner about 6 for an hour or so and then getting back on the road is a good idea. After about 7 it should be pretty OK. I have done the drive from No Cal and that's what we have found.