How does this sound?

[DizFan13]

For our upcoming trip, these are the driving directions that I have come up with, based mostly on advice from people here on the boards.

I just want to make sure that I have it all in order, and that these are, by consensus, the best choices.

When we leave LGB, we are headed straight to UCLA, and plan to take I-405 N all the way.

After we finish with the tour of the campus, we will head to the HoJo, taking I-405 S to I-105E, then I-605 S to CA-91 E, and finally take I-5 S the rest of the way.

I am hoping that we are able to get checked into the HoJo in time to head to Cafe Orleans for dinner and then see Fantasmic!

 

[Huff]

You wouldn't take the 605. That is well to the east of where you need to be. I think you mean I10E to I110S to H91E to I5S.

You could take the 405S to either I105 or I110 to H91 but the above way routes you around LAX area which can be extremely bad traffic during rush hour.

The other option is I10E to I5S which is 5 miles shorter than other routes but can be heavy traffic at the I10/I5 interchange as well as heavy traffic on I5S much of the way to Disneyland. I think the 1st option above would be the best but it really depends on time of day.

 

[DizFan13]

I am definitely relying on others' opinions on the route, since I am not from LA area, but I did get feedback from three different people that 405>105>605>91>5 would be the best way to avoid traffic on a Friday afternoon. It makes sense on the map, but I'll peek at your suggestion, and thank you for taking the time to help!

Does anyone have thoughts on the trip from LGB to UCLA? Am I missing a 'local' route?

 

[lcasa]

405 from LGB to UCLA sounds right to me.
Unfortunately not a lot of 'local' options. Hopefully you'll be after rush hour since that's pretty much the path for most commuters to LA.

406-105-605-5 sounds good for back to DL - again, just try to avoid rush hour. Lots of nice places to eat in Westwood to kill some time -- even 30 min will make a big difference.

 

[Huff]

I misread your post and thought you said I10 to H605 to 91 which didn't make sense!

The only issue I see with 405s to 105e is the traffic around LAX so thats why I mentioned 10E to 110S. I tend to avoid the 405 as much as I can as its known to locals as the parking lot for a reason but non-peak times are fine.

 

[DisneyMax74]

Just an idea. Go to mapquest.com Enter in your starting point, long beach airport, and your destination and then have it give you the best route. It will give you turn by turn directions as well as a map that you can print out and take with you.

Do the same from UCLA to your hotel or D-land, whichever you are going to next.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I still think that the 405S - 105E would be a better option than taking the 10E, but that's just my experience.

From the 405S stay in the carpool lane to get on the 105E - stay in the carpool lane. The freeway ends at the 605. As the freeway ends merge to the right so you get in the right lanes to go south on the 605. When you get on the 605 stay toward the right. There will be an exit or two (I think Rosecrans) and then the 91. Make sure you go east. Merge over to the left and get in the carpool lane.

Take the carpool lane exit to the 5 south & you will still be in the carpool lane. You will want to get out of the carpool lane before the Disneyland exit (maybe around Euclid), and the exit after Disneyland Way is Harbor. Turn right, and then go immediately to the left lane to turn left to go to the HoJo.

 

[DizFan13]

Thanks, everyone! I do wish we could plan it so that we would avoid traffic, but DS's tour is from 2:15 to 4:15. I am so grateful for the advice, because even though it isn't an ideal situation, it is better to have a strategy for these things.