I-5 or I-15 from San Diego Airport to DL?

[whatsarahsaid]

We land in San Diego this Thursday and will hit the road to DL around 2pm. Any suggestions on if we should take the 5 or the 15 that time of day?

 

[skiingfast]

I5 it goes right by the SD airport and DLR. Mid afternoon traffic should be moving fine.

 

[Girimama33]

Southern CA freeways can be hit or miss, but I would think I5 is more direct.15 will take you farther out of the way and then you have to either cross on Hwy 74 or connect to Hwy 91 which will usually have traffic in the afternoon.

 

[Lisa808]

we are driving up from SD and for sure the 5, the 15 goes inland and you would be taking more time... plus the 15 has worse traffic than the 5 for the locals

 

[Huff]

I5 and I15 can get congested but I tend to think I15 south of Escondido can get worse. If you can be on the road by 2pm you should be ok. Closer to 3pm and you'll hit traffic. Check reports for accidents as you head out. No easy way to tell how it will be on any given day. It can take anywhere from 1.5 hours to 3+ hours.

 

[Pesky]

Agree -- I15 will take you further inland so I would say to hit I5. All freeways in SoCal can stink so just be prepared regardless. And with the exception of certain freeways like 405 or 101 (which almost always stink), the grass is not really greener on another freeway.

 

[Lisa808]

Oh an plus there are the HOV lanes you can jump on and the one off the 5 has an exit straight to disney too!

 

[CalvaryMike]

Take the 5! Btw, we don't use letters out here.

 

[whatsarahsaid]

Thanks so much everyone for all of your tips and advice! I lived in San Diego for about two years way back when...but only drove north once or twice. Wanted to be sure the 5 was the way to go! Thanks again!