carpool lanes SD to DL?

[ldo]

We will be staying near Carlsbad in July and want to go to DL for the day. Is there a carpool lane (we have 5 persons) to take from SD to DL? where do we get on the carpool lane? what is the exit for DL? About how long on a weekday in mid-late July @ in the AM? Is it better to wait until 9am to drive? what time do carpool lanes switch/close? How about coming home in the PM? I anticipate it would be late evening or night (say 8-11pm)? Also, we do not have a pass for tolls. Can we pay cash? We will be in SD area for a week with a rental car. Should we just get the auto pass option from the rental agency ($15 for the week)? We will be flying to/fromLAX. thanks, Elaine

 

[sonnyjane]

We will be staying near Carlsbad in July and want to go to DL for the day. Is there a carpool lane (we have 5 persons) to take from SD to DL? where do we get on the carpool lane? what is the exit for DL? About how long on a weekday in mid-late July @ in the AM? Is it better to wait until 9am to drive? what time do carpool lanes switch/close? How about coming home in the PM? I anticipate it would be late evening or night (say 8-11pm)? Also, we do not have a pass for tolls. Can we pas cash? thanks, Elaine

It doesn't cost anything to use the HOV lane for that. I usually just switch out of it to take the DL exit (can't remember number now sorry) but I think there is an HOV route to the parks also. Keep in mind that it doesn't always help. You have 3 or 4 lanes of regular and one HOV, so if you get a slow person in that lane (and here slow means less than 75mph) then it moves slower than the regular lanes.

I'd either leave really early to be there for park opening or after 9, but after 9 means you miss good time in the parks so earlier is better. 8-11 won't be any issue coming home.

 

[JasonShannon76]

There are no tolls on the 5 freeway. From Carlsbad you take 5 North to Disney exit. It's about 45 minutes with no traffic. Carpool lanes are on part of the 5, but not the whole way.

 

[superlarz]

There are car pool lanes intermittantly on the 5. There is a car pool lane exit for Disneyland, so if you are in the car pool lane in Orange County, you can just stay to the left. The Disney Way exit is clearly marked. I would say your best bet would be to leave early. I would say during a week day, leave at 6.