How can we avoid traffic to San Diego????

[Llisa]

We're planning on visiting San Diego's Sea World on the Wednesday of our 9 day vacation - what time would you recommend we leave Anaheim in order to avoid the morning crush? Very early mornings are fine with us - presumably we'll breakfast in San Diego if we get there before SW opens.

We're going to use the Interstate on the southbound trip but take in at least some of the Pacific Coast Highway on the way back to Anaheim (provided it's still light, of course!). Anyone have any comments on that?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Morticia]

Just be prepared, you will hit traffic. That is life in Socal.
Weekdays, traffic will start around 6am & go to about 11amish.
Coming back, 2pmish - 7pm.
I don't know what time Sea World opens, but if you don't mind early mornings, leave b4 six & spend time @ the beach, b4 SW opens. Otherwise, expect traffic.

 

[Llisa]

Exactly the info. I was looking for - thanks Morticia!!!

 

[Goofydiane]

I used to drive from Anaheim to Mission Valley/San Diego twice a week earlier this year. I would leave at 6:00am, hit traffic in Encinitas about 7:00am for about 15 miles, then it opened up again. The bad thing is there is NO car pool lane in this area going south!

I've also hit this area about 9:30am and it was much better, only about 5 miles of traffic.

Coming back in the evening - stay and have a nice dinner or watch the sunset. There are carpool lanes available going north on Interstate 5 if you come back early. Remember, if you get out of San Diego earlier to miss traffic, you will still have traffic on Interstate 5 when you hit Orange County.

Utilize the car pool lanes and just smile about it, it is southern California and traffic is a way of life.

Enjoy your trip!
Diane

 

[waltskids]

We're planning on driving from Anaheim to San Diego on a Saturday. Will the traffic be as bad as it is during the week?

 

[Michelle]

Waltskids yes, it probably will, a lot of folks travel between LA and San Diego on the weekends. I've seen it backed up on Saturday mornings as well, although not quite as bad as during the weekdays.

 

[abbyndrewmom]

How long do you estimate the drive would take on the weekend. and would Saturday or Sunday be a better day to go. the other day we will spend on a beach, any suggestions.

Allison

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>I live about 15 mins south off of the 405 fwy from the LAX airport & DL is about 25 miles southeast of me. It can take anywhere from 1.5 hours to 4.0 hours for me to get to San Diego, depending on what is going on (holiday weekend), or if I use the carpool lane.

I would estimate that on a normal Saturday, barring traffic conditions (accidents, etc), it should take about an hour & a half to get to San Diego.

I go to SD quite often, as my kids' dad & his family live down there, and I visit with his sister a lot.

Saturdays are usually good - You would probably slow down on the way back from SD when you hit San Clemente - the Border Patrol sometimes runs checks and all cars have to slow down.

Sunday afternoons are heavier because a lot of people are returning from a weekend getaway.... and the Border Patrol still stops the cars.

Even on a Friday afternoon, I've made it down to SD in a little over 2 hours.

I recommend getting books on tape (libraries carry them), or finding a good radio station, and relax on your way down - there isn't much you can do to avoid traffic delays when they happen.

 

[mikeymars]

Since we're on the subject of "heading south," let me jump in here.

We're planning to drive from our hotel (The Grand Californian at DL resort) in Anaheim to Legoland in Carlsbad on a Monday morning in mid August. Planned this intentionally to avoid the Monday mobs at Disneyland, and also assuming that Legoland will be somewhat quieter on a Monday (have heard it's packed on weekends).

The generic directions given on the Legoland web site say "From Los Angeles and Orange County: Take the 405 South / 5 South to Cannon Road East, then follow signs to LEGOLAND."

Two questions: is this the best route, and should I assume per this thread that "the earlier we leave, the better?"

Thanks!!!

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Mikeymars:
Yes on both counts!
That is the most direct route and leave early!!