how's the 5 from san diego

[pamkas]

we're flying into SD tomorrow; arriving around 11am, renting
a car and driving up to anaheim. what should i expect traffic
wise...CRAZY? i'm not really worried about it. should i be?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Easy ~ I did it last year, but do it when it not going to or coming from work time

 

[Janneen]

Hi, We live in San Diego and are AP's, so we make the trip up I-5 frequently to DL. Assuming you are on the road around noon or 1:00 heading northbound you will be fine traffic wise, you might hit some slowing in the Del Mar area and upon entering Orange County but if you can get in the carpool lanes you won't have a problem.

If you are heading straight to Disneyland, I would suggest taking the Ball Rd/Harbor Rd (same exit) exit off the I-5, ignore the signs that tell you to make a left at the top of the signal offramp to the Disneyland Parks, instead make a right, get in the immediate left lanes and make a left at the first light (Ball Road), then 2 more signal lights make a left (you'll see signs) and this shoots you straight into the Disneyland Mickey Parking Structure. The trip typically takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.

I think the sign at the Ball/Harbor Road offramp telling you to turn left, tries to route people through the Disney property to keep them from clogging up the city streets but it can add considerable time, when all you have to do is go around a corner and voila, there's the parking!

Have a good time! Weather should be great!
Janneen

 

[bnbheartdisney]

You'll be fine at that time. As Janneen mentioned, you'll probably experience some slowing in spots, but nothing major.

 

[SD33]

I'm making this same drive from SD at 2:00 on a Tuesday...how long should that take?

 

[pamkas]

thanx all! Janneen - we are staying at a hotel on harbour; the Anaheim Plaza and suites. we will check-in and park there. should i still follow the same
directions?
-pam

 

[skiingfast]

Somone will need to calrify but I think if you use the HOV or Carpool lane you don't merge into regular traffic you exit from the center lane to Disney Way. Which you would make a Uturn at the intersection to reverse direction on Disney Way to enter the parking lot.

If not get off on Kattella make a right on Harbor, and a right onto Disney Way, the entrance will be just down 50 feet.

 

[Janneen]

Hi Pam,
Since you are going straight to your hotel which is on Harbor, you would make a left at the top of the Harbor Drive offramp, then the Anaheim Suites is just a little ways down. You would need to be out of the car pool lanes to use this exit. Try exiting them after you pass the Rt 22 Interchange, you may not even need them, traffic shouldn't be that bad.

If you choose to drive into the park from the hotel, you can just follow the signs from there, it will take you through the Disney property and u-turns you into the parking structure. If that way is crowded take Harbor Drive down to Ball and make a left there and another left 2 lights down into the structure.

Since you are staying so close though, you could always walk or I'm sure the hotel has shuttles which is nice at the end of the day, when the feet are aching!

Enjoy!

 

[Janneen]

You should be OK San Diego wise, a little slow in Del Mar area, that section is always slow! fast going through Camp Pendleton, then since you'll be hitting Orange County around 3:00-4:00, I'm sure you'll hit slowing, but nothing at a stand still.

There is also a Border Patrol checkpoint on the I-5, usually it's not too bad, when the traffic backs up, they usually let traffic flow through because it creates a hazard.

Have Fun!

 

[pamkas]

thank you so much!! what a help...can't wait for tomorrow!

 

[bnbheartdisney]

I'm making this same drive from SD at 2:00 on a Tuesday...how long should that take?

We left mid-week around the same time back in April and hit spots with the typical slow downs: Del Mar, the Border Patrol check point (they were in full force that day and it took about 10-15 minutes of our time) and Orange County - by the time you're in that area, people are beginning to get off work. It shouldn't be too bad; just try to leave at that time because you don't want to get stuck in any major traffic!!!

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

I'm making this same drive from SD at 2:00 on a Tuesday...how long should that take?

2 hours at the most.