I-5 Driving Tips

[jmcalister]

We are going to being driving S I-5 on a Sunday afternoon. With the all of the crazy Southern California driving do you have any tips and suggestions.
Thanks,
jmcalister

 

[Monkey Monkey]

Where are you driving from?

If you are a slow driver, by all means, stay in the right lane! There is nothing worse than a slow driver in the fast lane.

Oh wait, yes there is. A slow driver in the HOV lane!

 

[tortugaverde]

Put your happy face on and expect delays We live in the boonies, so I don't mind driving in city traffic... it is a refreshing change! However, I know it stresses some folks out. My personal favorite is to smile and wave when a fellow driver gives me the birdie, . It always makes my day!

Sorry, I don't have any "real" advice

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Just bring your patience. It never fails we hit traffic on the 5..

 

[Jennifer03]

If you get stuck in traffic or encounter a crazy driver, just think about Disneyland and all the fun you'll have on your trip.

 

[madcoco]

Patience and Brains Patience and Brains.

If you are a slow driver, by all means, stay in the right lane! There is nothing worse than a slow driver in the fast lane.

Oh wait, yes there is. A slow driver in the HOV lane!

LOL. Too bad there aren't giant cranes with magnets to pluck those cars from the traffic pool
The other thing that is bad is when traffic backs up and some cars leave 500 miles between themselves and the one in front of them.

 

[CalvaryMike]

What is your starting and ending points? There may be alternatives. I live in So Cal and I try to avoid the I-5, because of easier alternative routes.

Btw, with the cost of gas, traffic has lightened up.

 

[ironpig70]

know where you exit is and get over way ahead of time and just be happy

 

[cats mom]

If you are a slow driver, by all means, stay in the right lane! There is nothing worse than a slow driver in the fast lane.

Oh wait, yes there is. A slow driver in the HOV lane!

Don't you just hate that?!

My DH keeps trying to tell me it's the high occupancy lane, not the high speed lane.
I say they need to change the rules and make it the HSL then!
Makes me crazy when folks get in the HOV lane and then don't even keep up with the flow of traffic.


Op,
what sections you're traveling and the time of day can make a big difference. It's not always horrible.

Here's hoping you hit a nice, clear stretch.

 

[Leofoenget]

We are going to being driving S I-5 on a Sunday afternoon. With the all of the crazy Southern California driving do you have any tips and suggestions.
Thanks,
jmcalister

Sunday is the best time to drive in LA. Hopefully no accidents but pretty much the least crowded.

 

[biolabetty]

Sunday really is a pretty good day to travel the 5. My recommendation would be to know the alternate names to the 5 where you are traveling. Sometimes it is called the Santa Ana Freeway, other places it is the Golden State Freeway. That always confuses my mother-in-law, but they are the same freeway, just different names for different stretches of it. The 5 is not that scary if you just take your time and like everyone else has said, stay out of the fast lane if you don't want to go fast. Speed limit isn't really acceptable either. I usually find myself going around 80 on the freeway, and people are zooming around me like I'm standing still. Just "go with the flow" of traffic, is what I learned from my driving instructor years ago.

 

[natenapril]

We drove down I5 last Sunday and had no problems at all. There wasn't alot of traffic. But it ws Memorial Day weekend and the state troopers were out like crazy . So that may be why we had no problems.

 

[Denton]

I drive down I-5 to reach Disneyland and I listen to 980am and 1070am for traffic reports. They both have updates every 10 minutes.

On our last trip, instead of taking I-5 all the way, I went via the 210 & 57. I'm not sure if I saved any time, but the traffic was constantly moving and it seemed faster.

 

[scooter15]

I drive down I-5 to reach Disneyland and I listen to 980am and 1070am for traffic reports. They both have updates every 10 minutes.

On our last trip, instead of taking I-5 all the way, I went via the 210 & 57. I'm not sure if I saved any time, but the traffic was constantly moving and it seemed faster.

Sometimes. I have encountered traffic on I5 from the 710 all the way to the 91. Its a hit or miss though.

 

[Mouse13]

I've driven in lots of different states and big cities and I just want to say that, in my humble opinion, California drivers are some of the most courteous that I've ever encountered. If I have to drive in heavy traffic on a congested freeway, I'd rather be driving in California. Kudos to all you Southern California drivers! You are appreciated!

 

[aymekae]

I moved to the Los Angeles area last year, and I'm not the most confident driver. My trick is to almost always be in the lane I need to be in. The exceptions are if my exit isn't for 10 or 20 miles, and the right lane is slow as molasses, but still. Not as easy as you'd think, but it works for me. I also put on turn signals on earlier than necessary to inform other drivers of my intentions. There are rude people who won't let you in, but the majority of the time you find very nice people who understand that you're just trying to merge.

Your drive will be much more hectic if you're a speedy demon who weaves in and out of traffic. Pick a lane and stick with it. Flashing your lights, honking, and driving bumper to bumper doesn't make the slow person in front of you move over or drive faster, and it could be dangerous.

 

[Leofoenget]

I've driven in lots of different states and big cities and I just want to say that, in my humble opinion, California drivers are some of the most courteous that I've ever encountered. If I have to drive in heavy traffic on a congested freeway, I'd rather be driving in California. Kudos to all you Southern California drivers! You are appreciated!

Good Lord where do you drive??

thanks for the compliment

 

[Mouse13]

It wouldn't be nice to say where I drive because that might offend some of our Disfriends from other states. But believe me, it gets a lot worse than California.