I-5 from Northern Cal to Disneyland... Traffic?

[talie95]

Like some others have said, you may hit a little traffic going through Sacramento (I used to live there for 3 years but my family is in So Cal so I made that trek often) and possibly a little when you hit Stockton (depending on the time of day) but after that it's usually pretty clear until you get over the grapevine and into Santa Clarita(that's where I live now). From then on it's unpredictable as to what the traffic will be like (again, it really depends on the time of day).

 

[sdlipton]

Highway 99 is an alternate route out of Sacramento. It will then hook back up with I-5 just south of Bakersfield. I'm not too familiar with it, but according to Map Quest both are close in total mileage from Sacramento (about 300 miles). It parallels I-5 the whole way and I would guess the scenery is just as lovely, but you would not have to deal with all of the trucks. Although you do have two fairly large cities to drive thru - Fresno and Bakersfield.

Getting into LA around 11:00 AM is the best time of the day to do it. You won't have the commuter traffic, but be aware you will still have traffic - and lots of it. It only takes one accident to mess up your plans, but you can't predict that no matter what time you arrive.

The best thing about driving I-5 is you pass Magic Mountain on your way to DL and you can say to yourself "Thank Goodness we are not going THERE".

I would NEVEr take 99 to commute to Los Angeles or ANaheim. The trucks are worse on 99, the road is poorly maintained, and it is not nearly as straight as the 5 is.

You are best taking 5 straight south. You can set your cruise at 75 and not worry the rest of the way.

 

[sdlipton]

I would also strongly suggest that you AVOID driving all together. Depending on where you are coming from north of Sacramento you would be MUCh better off driving to Sac INternational, and booking at 39 or 49 dollar each way flight to John Wayne International. Especially with gas prices the way they are.

Ive made that drive numerous times, and the last time when it cost me almost triple what airfare would have been in gas, I said never again.

 

[brocklesnar69]

I would also strongly suggest that you AVOID driving all together. Depending on where you are coming from north of Sacramento you would be MUCh better off driving to Sac INternational, and booking at 39 or 49 dollar each way flight to John Wayne International. Especially with gas prices the way they are.

Ive made that drive numerous times, and the last time when it cost me almost triple what airfare would have been in gas, I said never again.

Where do I go to find these cheap flights?

Expedia is like $167 a person.

 

[sdlipton]

Southwest Airlines!

They do not book on Expedia. The website is www.iflyswa.com

Right now you can only book through November 2nd, but they always have great deals.

 

[brocklesnar69]

Do you know if they have shuttles going from the airport to the DL Hotel? I probably wont be staying on property. But I can walk from the DL hotel.

 

[sdlipton]

The shuttles will depend upon your hotel of choice. The airline does not provide a shuttle (im not sure any airline that does this in ANY destination.)