How is the drive from SNA to DLR?

[freckles04]

Hi guys,

I can rent a car for about the same cost as a round-trip taxi from SNA to DLR. We are staying at the Park Vue Inn with free parking. I am from a small-ish town in Tennessee and have never even been to CA, but I hear the traffic is a bit scary. Driving in Nashville makes me a little nervous, if that helps! What is the drive like to/from SNA? We will be arriving at SNA at 10:30AM on a Monday, and will have to leave the hotel for the airport about 11AM the following Monday. I would love to hear any opinions. Thanks.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

It is not bad at all, less than 15 miles, 20 minutes or so depending on traffic. You get on CA-55 and head north, then get on I-5, can't miss the signs from there.

 

[OKW Lover]

If your only need for a car is to get to/from DL and SNA I'd just go with a taxi (about $40 each way). Or are you thinking you'll go other places too?

 

[freckles04]

It is not bad at all, less than 15 miles, 20 minutes or so depending on traffic. You get on CA-55 and head north, then get on I-5, can't miss the signs from there.

Thanks!

If your only need for a car is to get to/from DL and SNA I'd just go with a taxi (about $40 each way). Or are you thinking you'll go other places too?

I have read it's about $45 each way, then with tip, that pushes the price up as well. I found a car rental deal for about $100 for the week. Of course, I'll have to pay for gas as well. Not planning to do any major trips with the car, but it would be nice if we needed to get to a store for some reason, and we'd like to try out Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., but it's not a must-do.

 

[OKW Lover]

I have read it's about $45 each way, then with tip, that pushes the price up as well. I found a car rental deal for about $100 for the week. Of course, I'll have to pay for gas as well. Not planning to do any major trips with the car, but it would be nice if we needed to get to a store for some reason, and we'd like to try out Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., but it's not a must-do.

Sure, you can do that. No problem. You might want to spend a little time on google maps before you go and you might decide walking is fine. For example, Bubba Gump is only a 12 minute walk from your hotel.

 

[freckles04]

Sure, you can do that. No problem. You might want to spend a little time on google maps before you go and you might decide walking is fine. For example, Bubba Gump is only a 12 minute walk from your hotel.

Oh wow, thanks! Didn't realize it was so close.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Last time we took a taxi from SNA we paid $48 with tip.

If you don't plan to go further afield then the Disneyland Resort and Gardenwalk (where the Bubba Gump's, Cheesecake factory, etc. are), then I would say you could skip the time and trouble of car rental. If you have other needs like a Target run to get supplies or a side trip to another theme park, museum, sight-seeing, etc. and you can really get a car for $100 for the week, then go for it. The drive from SNA to DLR is not bad.

 

[GoBears 1980]

Hi guys,

I can rent a car for about the same cost as a round-trip taxi from SNA to DLR. We are staying at the Park Vue Inn with free parking. I am from a small-ish town in Tennessee and have never even been to CA, but I hear the traffic is a bit scary. Driving in Nashville makes me a little nervous, if that helps! What is the drive like to/from SNA? We will be arriving at SNA at 10:30AM on a Monday, and will have to leave the hotel for the airport about 11AM the following Monday. I would love to hear any opinions. Thanks.

How scary can traffic be at 15 mile per hour?

The drive from John Wayne to Disneyland is simple and straight forward. You can even use car pool lanes to make it easier.

Both your times are outside the worst of the commuter traffic. If you can drive in Memphis or Nashville, LA is no different, just more cars.

 

[GoBears 1980]

I found a car rental deal for about $100 for the week. Of course, I'll have to pay for gas as well. Not planning to do any major trips with the car, but it would be nice if we needed to get to a store for some reason, and we'd like to try out Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., but it's not a must-do.

Having a car opens up more restaurants to you, the chance to slip out to a grocery store or Target to get snacks, drinks etc, visit the Anaheim acking District, go to the Outlets at Orange, maybe go to the beach area for a day, etc.

Keep the car, you'll be fine.

 

[tallpkb]

How about using Supper Shuttle? $10 each way per person.

 

[GoBears 1980]

How about using Supper Shuttle? $10 each way per person.

If I wanted a cheap shuttle I'd use the Disneyland Resort Express.

 

[ClaraOswald]

How scary can traffic be at 15 mile per hour?

The drive from John Wayne to Disneyland is simple and straight forward. You can even use car pool lanes to make it easier.

Both your times are outside the worst of the commuter traffic. If you can drive in Memphis or Nashville, LA is no different, just more cars.

15 mph?! I don't think that sounds right.

 

[ClaraOswald]

If you aren't comfortable driving in traffic, honestly, I'd probably skip the rental car. Especially if you really don't care to leave the Disneyland area much. As far as the car pool lane, sure...it can be easier if you're familiar with the area. But if you aren't, it's easier to miss your exit from that lane.

 

[Rebekkap]

Having a car opens up more restaurants to you, the chance to slip out to a grocery store or Target to get snacks, drinks etc, visit the Anaheim acking District, go to the Outlets at Orange, maybe go to the beach area for a day, etc.

Keep the car, you'll be fine.

Target is easily accessible on the ART, and I've done the outlets at Orange on a non-ART bus.

 

[cagirl4life]

That drive is pretty simple. Especially at the times you are looking at. The 55 is usually not that bad. I can do it and I rarely drive freeway. You could always do streets pretty easily if it makes you nervous. But as others have said if you don't have much need for a car its not a big deal. Going grocery shopping would be nice because the ART is not always reliable and you don't have to lug groceries. It also gives you a little more options on restaurants in the area.The walk to Bubbas is doable but depend when in your trip it might be nice to drive.

 

[MillauFr]

We always rent a car. After a drive from Ontario airport with the cab driver doing 80mph we said never again.

The drive from SNA to DL is very easy. Just follow the signs for 55 north out of the airport, merge across to the HOV lanes, take the 55 to 5 HOV connector, and take the Disney Way HOV exit. Orange county has some of the best designed freeways in the world and they are very easy to navigate.

 

[freckles04]

Thank you all so much for your responses! I am still thinking about renting a car, but also thinking about other options...

I looked into the Disneyland Express, but I don't like the pickup times going from the hotel to SNA. One is way too early and would make us wait 3 hours at the airport (no thanks! we'll already have a 2 hr 15 min layover in Houston!), and one is probably a bit too late and would make me nervous we'd miss our flight.

Thanks for the suggestion on the Super Shuttle. It looks like round trip would be about $44, and I can choose a much better pickup time from the hotel to the airport.

Another idea might be taking the Disneyland Express one-way to the hotel, then take Super Shuttle back? I don't really like the idea that Super Shuttle loops around the airport til the van is full...

Suggestions?

 

[peoplemover4ever]

It is pretty fast to get there on streets too if the I-5 is too scary. Check out your routing options on google maps

 

[endy]

I'll chime in and agree the drive is very easy.
Also the last I flew into SNA the rental cars were right at the airport - no shuttle off site needed.
If you can get a car for $100/week I would absolutely do it. I had a rental a few years ago for something like $66 for 4 days from SNA and thought that was an amazing rate.Then you are not panicing when the shuttle is early or late. There's so many places to go that are close but not that close. I find driving around the area is very easy.
Target, Costco, the mall at Orange, Dave and Buster's are all within a few minutes drive, the beach isn't that far. If you have time to go whale watching it half price on Tuesdays at Dana Wharf, it's maybe 45 minutes down the I5.
Blashemy - there's more in Orange County than the mouse.

 

[squidlet]

I don't really like the idea that Super Shuttle loops around the airport til the van is full...
QUOTE]

Unless something changed the Super Shuttle does not loop around till full. I've always found it very easy to use. Just exit the airport and walk a short distance to the van pick up -- DL Express uses the same area so you can choose whichever one is leaving first. Super Shuttle does serve people who are not going to DL, so sometimes you do make 'side-trips' for them. Also, the van is dropping other passengers off at their hotels, so you might have to wait for that if your hotel is near the end of the driver's route.

Having said all that, take the taxi. Super easy, takes you straight to your hotel, about the same price as the shuttle (for your group). Unless you really want to go somewhere other than DL, the rental car will just be a hassle.