Least traffic from DL to Carlsbad?

[HenDuck]

I was wondering which day (Friday, Saturday or Sunday) would be best to drive from the DL area to Legoland in Carlsbad? This would be Dec. 10, 11, or 12th.

I understand traffic is bad from DL to SD on Saturday mornings. Could anyone tell me how bad it is coming back from SD to DL on Sunday afternoons? Would Friday be the best choice of all 3?

Also, how early should we leave the DL area to get to Legoland by park opening at 10:00 a.m. on any of those days?

I understand that Legoland opens the gates 1/2 hour early and then does a rope drop at 10:00, just like at DL. Is it worth it to try to get there by 9:30 am?

Any advice you could give would be sooo helpful. Thanks!

 

[missmulan]

I disagree with you. Traffic is the lightest on Saturday morning from DL to Carlsbad. Friday is the WORST! Everyone is either coming or going to work or leaving for the weekend to San Diego or Mexico.

It takes about 2 hours 15 minutes from DL to Carlsbad on the 5 Freeway. There is a carpool lane for a long distance so that helps too.

There is a toll road too but you won't need to use it on a Saturday morning.

Yes, it will be worth trying to get there by 9:30 am. By the time you park, unload strollers and walk up...get your bags checked & buy tickets, it'll be opened!

Hope this helps!

 

[dirkus]

We live just north of Carlsbad and always try to avoid 5 south on weekends (especially Saturday) mornings. It seems like everyone from LA is invading! It stands to reason that 5 north on Sunday afternoon would also be affected at some point but it is usually OK around us -- we just see the southbound jams that tend to happen when civilization begins again at Oceanside after the big Marine base (Camp Pendleton).

I don't know about the Disneyland area but think you would be going opposite the heavy traffic on Friday morning if you are going south and the same would hold true on the return trip Friday night.

Of course, around here, any little thing can change the traffic and it can be heavy just about any time.

If I were doing it, I would probably choose Friday and just get in the car pool lane which will take you nearly all the way to San Clemente. This time of year and especially if you go Friday, I wouldn't worry about getting to Legoland at 9:30 on the dot. Weekday mornings are usually not too crowded (although I'm not sure how the holidays will affect the attendance). Our son is a Legoland Ambassador (lifetime pass) and we have never had problems with crowds on weekday mornings except in the summer.

Good luck!

 

[mobetsy]

I, too, would go with Friday morning, leaving DL around 9 AM. If you are going on a Friday, the numbers should be pretty light at LL, so I wouldn't worry about getting there any earlier than 10. As for the return trip, it's just about a crap shoot what evening will be worst, although if I had to make the choice I'd go for Saturday evening. Easiest is simply to plan on not leaving the Carlsbad area until 7 PM or later; that will help a lot.

 

[HenDuck]

Thank you all for your help. I really appreciate it. I'm leaning towards going on Friday then.

If anyone else has information, please let me know.

Thanks again!

 

[missmulan]

Have fun and give us a trip report! The weather here has been lousy but word has it that the sun is coming out for the weekend!

 

[minmaui]

We were there last month 11/17 - 11/22. We went to the outlet mall in Carlsbad on a Sunday. We left Disney area around 9:00 am and came back at around 2:00. Traffic wasn't bad at all...

 

[HenDuck]

Just wanted to let you all know that we had a great time at Legoland. So much so that we went 2 days instead of one. They gave us free tickets for the second day because I guess they are having a holiday special.

We ended up going Friday and Monday. The traffic was a little heavier on Friday but it wasn't really a problem. It took us a little over an hour on Friday to get there and about an hour on Monday. The traffic was a little heavy on Friday as we approached Anaheim, but it was by no means bad at all.

Also, the park was practically empty on Monday.

Thanks to you all for your advice!