Drive from DL to Carlsbad and on to LAX?

[Anjelica]

I asked a similar question on the Southern California forum but haven't received a response. But I also had a question regarding the drive from DL to Carlsbad.

How long should I estimate for a drive from DL to Carlsbad? This would be the afternoon/early evening of Wednesday, November 25th (day before thanksgiving).

How long should I estimate for a drive from Carlsbad to LAX? This would be mid-late/morning of Saturday, November 28th (the Saturday after Thanksgiving). We have to return our rental car to Alamo at LAX (I believe they are non-terminal) and catch a Southwest flight with a leave time of 2:15 - what time should I be at the airport?

Thanks in advance - its been years since I have flown into LAX (probably more like a decade or so).

 

[TravelingJen24]

Im not sure about LAX, but we are going down to Carlsbad from Dis on the 21st. We have done it a number of times. If you don't hit any traffic, you are looking at about an hour 15 mins to 1 hour 1/2. If there is traffic, it could be a bit more. You should have a straight shoot, but there is a chance always. Have fund.

 

[sonnyjane]

I'll give you some ideas! I live in San Diego. With absolutely no traffic and going the speed limit on cruise control, it takes me about 90 minutes to get to DL, and 30 min to get to Carlsbad, so I'll just go ahead and estimate that Carlsbad is an even hour south of DL on I-5. Then from Carlsbad to LAX is about 1:45 min, again, WITHOUT traffic heading north on I-5. I would say to be safe, plan for some traffic, since most people down here do have work and school on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Also, the Saturday traffic heading north from San Diego to LA is usually heavy (but certainly not rush-hour heavy), so plan to give yourself plenty of extra time, especially if you have to return a rental car!

 

[bumbershoot]

Is Legoland what is drawing you to Carlsbad? Is there any chance of swapping that day to something earlier? For me, personally, it would make me nutty knowing that I was going away from LAX to get to Carlsbad, then driving "past" DLR on my way back to the airport. Probably just my own thing though, LOL.

 

[Anjelica]

Is Legoland what is drawing you to Carlsbad? Is there any chance of swapping that day to something earlier? For me, personally, it would make me nutty knowing that I was going away from LAX to get to Carlsbad, then driving "past" DLR on my way back to the airport. Probably just my own thing though, LOL.

We are doing Disney starting Friday November 20th through Wednesday, November 25th. While I would have loved to finish the trip off with our stay at DL we decided to do DL BEFORE Thanksgiving Day/Weekend as we figured they would be more busy than either Legoland or SeaWorld during that same time frame. Additionally, we are staying on points at the villas and it used less points for us to not stay during Thanksgiving weekend.