Driving from LAX to San Diego - are we crazy?

[phishy25]

Our plane arrives on May 1 at 9:10 PM. There is a two or three hour time difference (I can never figure out Daylight savings time because we don't use it in Hawaii) so it will feel like 6 or 7 PM to us. After we get our luggage and car it will be close to 10 PM. The plan is to drive down to San Diego which according to Mapquest is about 2 hours 40 minutes. I think checking into the hotel at 1 AM is crazy and we are better off getting a cheap hotel in the LA area. DH says nighttime is better because we are avoiding traffic and the kids will be so excited they won't care. We are doing Sea World/SD ZOO for a few days and then driving to Anaheim for Disney. I also suggested to DH swapping and doing Anaheim first and then San Diego but he really wants to do Disney last. So, are we crazy? I think the kids will be okay but DH and I may have a few meltdowns on the way.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Personally, I think it would be better to stay at a hotel near the LAX Airport, there are quite a few, then when you get up you'll be rested & better prepared for the drive down to San Diego. If you leave early the next morning, you will arrive in San Diego in time to go to the parks, etc., and won't be so worn out - my opinion.

 

[StageTek]

I agree with your DH. I prefer driving at night when the traffic
is light and it seems as if that’s what he prefers.

I like getting the driving over with, checking into the hotel and
waking up in the destination city - no long drive ahead of me.
I really dislike checking in late and leaving early the drive
through rush hour in an unfamiliar city.

But each person (and family) is very different, aren’t they?

I say go with what your DH wants - he’s driving...

 

[perlster]

Last Friday, I drove from a few miles north of LAX to San Diego. The drive was not bad - with a rest stop, about 2 hours. I left before 6 AM, though.

If I understand the OP, you would like to leave the LAX area on the morning of May 2, which is a Saturday. The drive down will be much easier than a weekday one during commuter hours. If it was a weekday, I would definitely go with the DH plan, but you should be OK with either option

 

[pmama]

Well I have no experience driving LAX to San Diego (yet) but I agree w/ DH. That way you will have the benifit of avoiding traffic and having the drive done with. An added bonus is you will not have to haul your bags around as much. And who wants to get up and drive for over 2 hours before hitting a theme park?

 

[ScooterL]

If he's up for the drive I would say go ahead and drive to San Diego that night - depending on how fast he drives it should only take about 2 hours, or less. Just make sure your hotel knows you will be arriving late!

Since we just switched to Daylight Saving Time we are three hours ahead of Hawaii time now - it's two hours when we are on Standard time.

 

[Straitlover]

What about a compromise? Find an inexpensive hotel halfway between LAX and San Diego. That way, you don't have as far to drive the next morning.

 

[phishy25]

Thanks, we thought about it and we're going to go for it. It's a 3 hour time diffference so it'll only feel like 6pm for us. We'll rent the car, grab some chow, and drive down in the dark with no traffic. The kids will have a DVD player and ipod so they should be good to go.

 

[dis-happy]

I've made that drive in the middle of the night at least a hundred times. You'll have no problem. With the time change on your side I think you're making a good decision!

 

[mastersd]

Hi,
We just came back on Monday. We did drive from Anaheim to SanDeigo and SanDeigo to LAX. I would definately drive at night because if you wait until the morning there will be much more traffic. I hope you have GPS. The roads there are so confusing. We are from Ontario, Canada. The roads are all highways so there is a lot of merging, getting off and on. I was so nervous! But, if your husband is driving let him decide.
Deanna

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I agree with some posters.

Don't be suprised if you have moderate traffic at that time of night if you decide to drive.

If you stay at the LAX area hotel, you are going to get to experience LA TRAFFIC (caps for a reason) and if you or your DH are not experienced in driving in very heavy city traffic, that is a factor you need to think about.

A GPS is mandatory if you are from out of town, some rental cars come with them, or you can bring your own and program it before you get here with your destinations. (be very careful of the car pool lane system, as they have enterences and exits on the LEFT side of the lanes, and some are for different freeways merging!)

Once you get south of LA, you could stop for some food, San Clemente has a number of dining places that are okay.

Good luck!

 

[phishy25]

Thank you all for the tips. My Dad used to live in San Clemente and I visited him often. I am familiar with driving on the 1-5 so hopefully we will be ok! A GPS is not a bad idea. I'll call the rental car agency and see if I can get one.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Thank you all for the tips. My Dad used to live in San Clemente and I visited him often. I am familiar with driving on the 1-5 so hopefully we will be ok! A GPS is not a bad idea. I'll call the rental car agency and see if I can get one.

I uesed to use Hertz exclusively, because they offerred the Neverlost system, which is a magellan GPS with all the places already in it. (hotels/gas stations/etc)

(then I got one for myself, and take it with me!)