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

[brocklesnar69]

Im not sure exactally how soon(Maybe January), but soon I will be making my long awaitied return trip to DL (since the last time I went was like 8 years ago and was not old enough to drive) and now, that I AM old enough to drive, I relize I must drive the Dreaded I-5 from Northern Cal to Aneheim, mommy's not doing it this time. I have to admit that I am kinda scaired of how the traffic will be when I get past Sacramento. I think the worst road I ever drove was when I went to Mt. Lassen from the Redding Area. So anyway, how is it driving on I-5 to DL (Lets say, after Sacramento)? Is it super conjested with major traffic? I am a very good driver. No tickets or anything. I am confident that I will not make any mistakes, but am worried about other people making the mistake right into me (If you know what I mean **CRASH***) I've heard a LOT of horror stories about how Southern Cal people drive (No Offense). So whats the deal with I-5?

 

[bekkiz]

Frankly, 5 is about the easiest freeway you could ever drive on. I'll admit, we usually get on at 580 (in the Bay Area) but from there to the outskirts of LA, it's a straight shot and we've only hit traffic when we get into LA.

I take that back, one February, they closed the grapevine pass due to snow, and there was loads of traffic, but I think that doesn't happen very often. You'll be just fine

 

[preshi]

I agreew ith Bekkiz. On occassion they have some road work happening near one of the towns and it slows down a little but usually it's a very easy drive.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

You might hit some traffic in Sacramento, depending on the time of day. But besides going around big trucks it's smooth sailing all the way to L.A. That's when you hit traffic, also depending on the time of day you get there. We can spend 45-60 minutes just trying to get from L.A. to Anaheim!

Weekends are better for driving since there won't be that commute traffic. We usually leave Disneyland VERY early to miss all that traffic.

I'm sure you'll be fine, 5 is a very easy freeway to take!

 

[disneydenisel]

In my experience, I-5 is a pretty easy and boring drive, but it usually goes pretty quickly until you hit Magic Mountain, and then it could take a long time to get to Anaheim. I think it took us 45 minutes one year to go about 10 miles!

Two years ago, there was a major accident on I-5, which closed the freeway for at least 12 hours, maybe more? We had to take 101 home and it took us 3 extra hours to get home. It was painful. I vowed never to drive that route again, yet we are headed there this summer (time heals all traffic woes... ?).

If you can time it right, try not to hit the L.A. area in the late afternoon. When I lived in Stockton, we'd leave at 5AM!

 

[ShawnaF]

We just moved from the Grass Valley area, but over the past 9 years we made the I-5 drive many times. Piece of cake! Try to avoid traffic crowds in Sac between about 4pm and 6pm and it's so easy until you get to the Grapevine (that can get loaded up if there's weather or you're doing it on a holiday weekend.) Valencia is where it will pick up after that. So Cal driving is fast, but in my opinion pretty darn safe. Most drivers are pretty courteous too - use your turn signals! Even if you drive during rush hour, traffic moves more slowly which you might find actually easier as a driver unfamiliar to the area. While the waiting is aggravating, I don't mind rush hour drives at all - unless you have kids in the car who have even less patience.

 

[deletedpenguin]

We went down late April and in Orange county they closed I-5 completely and we had to do a detour, but it was after midnight, so if you can make it down before midnight, you're golden.

 

[mattnday]

I would agree with most in saying that the drive is very straight and very boring. However, I want it to be noted that traffic will be bad once you get near Santa Clarita at most times including Saturday and Sundays. We have often times made it to to Santa Clarita in record time only to take another 2 hours to do the last 50 or so miles. Make sure you plan to hit this area in a non peak time or it can be really brutal from a traffic standpoint.

We are doing this drive in 2 weeks and are leaving at 5 AM on a Saturday. Including our breakfast stop we expect to get there in about 6 hours.

 

[ArielAdventurer]

I think the first time is kind of scary from wherever you come in from..I am only 2 hours north..but the first time driving alone.. was pretty scary...5 is the easiest way to get there..though..and as far as freeways go..not too scary..

 

[blackjackdelta]

Our drive from Wa state is about 1200 miles and the real traffic starts about Valancia. At worst it took us 3 hours to get to Anaheim from their. Multiple accidents and the beginning of "rush hour." You will run into the crazy's driving 90 plus on I-5 and doing alot of weaving, just be observant and drive safely.

Jack

 

[bjsmom]

We took this drive last year (from Stockton) on a Wednesday. Leave very early, before six, and you will be fine.

 

[brocklesnar69]

Is there an alternate route to take from, lets say... Yuba City/Marysville to Disneyland, besides I-5? Or, from Yuba City, is I-5 the best? I am thinking about leaveing around 2:00AM So I am guessing it'll be around 11:00am when I get to the L.A area. How is traffic then?

 

[ter-moo]

I-5 really is your best bet. Like everyone else has said, it's a piece of cake until you hit the grapevine. In January, you could have storms, etc., over that, so just be sure to get weather reports before you leave. I don't know if people ever need chains going over that (we never have) but it never hurts to be prepared. If there's a dust storm or big patch of fog, drive very slowly or pull off into a rest stop until it passes.

My biggest piece of advice is to be sure to get gas BEFORE you think you need it. Once you pass the Tracy area, there's not much there. Always pay attention to the signs that say "next services, xx miles" and make sure you're set on gas, water, bathroom stops, etc., before you move on!

You'll be fine! Think of it as a great adventure!

 

[ArielAdventurer]

If there's a dust storm or big patch of fog, drive very slowly or pull off into a rest stop until it passes.


This is true..In January..the tule fog in the San Joaquin Valley is at it's worst..Maybe time your trip so you go through the valley in the afternoon...

 

[RMH]

Is there an alternate route to take from, lets say... Yuba City/Marysville to Disneyland, besides I-5? Or, from Yuba City, is I-5 the best? I am thinking about leaveing around 2:00AM So I am guessing it'll be around 11:00am when I get to the L.A area. How is traffic then?

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".

 

[Chickysmom]

make sure you have plenty of gas prior to going up the Grapevine. have been stuck in traffic at and accident for over 3 hours, just barely creeping along....therre is a little twon right at the base of that big climb we always stop at for gas, drinks and potty....

 

[ArielAdventurer]

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.

Being from Bakersfield..I can say I never take 99..it isn't as good of a road..it is a longer drive..and the scenery is mostly farms..which..all begin to look about the same after about 10 minutes...THe road gives me a headache...

 

[DancingQueen]

Don't take 99 if you don't have to. It is a much more dangerous highway. North of Sacramento and on up it isn't bad. But from Sac on down to Bakersfield; not good. There are accidents all the time, and the roads are not in as good of condition as I-5's roads. Plus once you get past Bakersfield, it merges right back into 5. So really it isn't worth it. 5 is your best and safer bet.

 

[CalGal]

As the other posters say, most of the time you won't have to worry too much about traffic until the Grapevine or around Valencia/Magic Mountain, but you are likely to hit a lot of traffic from thereon unless you hit it just right (like in the middle of the night). However, all bets are off if you hit an accident, or very bad weather around the grapevine. In January, snow has been know to shut down the freeway for awhile. Also, beware of Sundays. I hit heavy traffic from LA all the way to Harris Ranch (kinda near Coalinga) on the way back from DL not too long ago. I probably averaged around 40 MPH most of the way. I figure there were a lot of people returning from a weekend trip back to the bay area. This was in summer and so this type of traffic may be less common in the winter.

 

[ArielAdventurer]

This was in summer and so this type of traffic may be less common in the winter.

You are right..I haven't had that much traffic in winter..but.. you are also right that the snow can close the grapevine..