Driving from LA to Disneyland

[RysMomma]

Hi everyone,

I have been a WDW gal for almost 40 years now! This year, I'm taking my first trip to Disneyland and I'm so excited. We decided to tag along with my husband on his work trip to LA and my kids and I are going to drive from LA to Disneyland for one day and do our trip to Disneyland. Now, I know LA traffic is atrocious (although I do live in NJ and have driven to NY several times so I've dealt with that traffic) but I'm curious on opinions. I want to be there as close to Park opening as we can be-what time should we leave LA? Thanks everyone!

 

[DLgal]

Hi everyone,

I have been a WDW gal for almost 40 years now! This year, I'm taking my first trip to Disneyland and I'm so excited. We decided to tag along with my husband on his work trip to LA and my kids and I are going to drive from LA to Disneyland for one day and do our trip to Disneyland. Now, I know LA traffic is atrocious (although I do live in NJ and have driven to NY several times so I've dealt with that traffic) but I'm curious on opinions. I want to be there as close to Park opening as we can be-what time should we leave LA? Thanks everyone!

Where exactly in LA will you be coming from? It's a massive city.

 

[sagejenn47]

Is it possible to go on a weekend day, or does it have to be a weekday? A weekend would be so much easier.

 

[Marebear_runs]

The earlier you can leave the better to avoid traffic, especially if you’re going on a weekday and have to deal with commuters. Last time we wanted to rope drop on a weekday, we left LA (from Studio City area) at 6:30 am and got into the park just as it was opening at 8. The drive was under an Hour, but getting through the parking structure and taking the tram or walking takes time. That drive can easily take 2 1/2+ hours if you leave too late so getting on the road early is key. And of course, where exactly you are in LA matters too.

Have fun!

 

[ParkHopper1]

Go to google maps online...enter start point and destination and there is a "arrive at" drop down tab that you can play with dates and hours to see typical traffic commute times

 

[vratiana]

Traffic is much better before 7am. It gets significantly heavier after 7am.
Totally depends on where in LA. I lived in Burbank (35 miles from DL) and I could get there in less than an hour if I left before 6am.

 

[RysMomma]

We're staying at the Beverly Hilton so we'll be leaving from there!

 

[DonnerB]

I'm Mid-City (between the Grove and the Tar Pits). If I'm trying to rope drop on a weekday, I leave no later than 6:15 and usually don't get there ("there" meaning scanned into a park) with much time to spare. The problem for me is that I'm not near a freeway, so I have to deal with surface streets first. Have also run into issues with accidents on the 5 heading down. Things can gum up pretty quickly. I'd leave between 6 and 6:15 if I were you!

 

[DLgal]

We're staying at the Beverly Hilton so we'll be leaving from there!

Oof. That's gonna take awhile.

If you want to rope drop, leave by 5:30 am on a weekday, 6 on a weekend.

 

[RysMomma]

You guys are all awesome. Thank you so much!