Los Angeles Traffic

[RJstanis]

We are visiting and going to Disneyland on Monday July 7th. We are staying in Temecula and are about an hour away I suppose with normal traffic. If we want to be there at the gate prior to open how much cushion should we give ourselves to get there for traffic? We went Angels baseball game Thurs eve and traffic was a breeze but we were going opposite direction of traffic at that time. We were planning on leaving around 6am. To early, to late?

 

[cmwade77]

Considering that it is summer, you need to allow at least an hour for parking and getting to the parks from the parking lot and since it's a Monday after a long weekend, the drive time will be about 3 hours not on the toll roads or about 1.5-2 hours on the toll roads.

 

[RJstanis]

Considering that it is summer, you need to allow at least an hour for parking and getting to the parks from the parking lot and since it's a Monday after a long weekend, the drive time will be about 3 hours not on the toll roads or about 1.5-2 hours on the toll roads.

Yikes! Thank you for your times. Guess 6 won't be early enough then. Are the toll roads with toll tags only or can you use coins like other cities?

 

[SMD]

First, check the traffic immediately before you leave. The shortest route distance wise is probably 15 to 91 to 57. I've taken the 91 from Riverside and a single accident or lane closure can be miserable. As is the 57. I've only done the drive in the afternoon and at night, but I'd probably budget 90 minutes for the drive (that's from when you get on the freeway, so more if you're staying farther away) and 45 minutes for parking. For an 8am opening and arriving at the park at 7:30 that would have you leaving about 5am. Odds are there won't be any traffic issues and you're going to get to the parking lot before or when it opens and that will make the parking part seem worse. Although after writing that, if it were me, I might start looking for a sub-$100 hotel deal tonight...

 

[RJstanis]

First, check the traffic immediately before you leave. The shortest route distance wise is probably 15 to 91 to 57. I've taken the 91 from Riverside and a single accident or lane closure can be miserable. As is the 57. I've only done the drive in the afternoon and at night, but I'd probably budget 90 minutes for the drive (that's from when you get on the freeway, so more if you're staying farther away) and 45 minutes for parking. For an 8am opening and arriving at the park at 7:30 that would have you leaving about 5am. Odds are there won't be any traffic issues and you're going to get to the parking lot before or when it opens and that will make the parking part seem worse. Although after writing that, if it were me, I might start looking for a sub-$100 hotel deal tonight...

I've suggested a room to my wife as well, especially since she's not the most traffic tolerant. She's a master at name your own price at priceline so hopefully I can convince her that as our best option. Weve been in Vegas/Calif for 10 days so just trying to shave costs where we can too. Thank you so much for your replies

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i hated the traffic from la to San Diego and back to la. a 3 hour trip took 6 in half hours because of traffic. I would leave at 5 am for an 8 am opening.

 

[superlarz]

I typically leave San Diego at 6-6:15 for an 8am opening. Your route would be different than mine though, I just drive north on I-5. I think if you leave at 6 you will be ok, traffic wont pick up until around 7. Just to be safe, maybe leave at 5:30.

 

[RJstanis]

I typically leave San Diego at 6-6:15 for an 8am opening. Your route would be different than mine though, I just drive north on I-5. I think if you leave at 6 you will be ok, traffic wont pick up until around 7. Just to be safe, maybe leave at 5:30.

Forgot to update for future people. We left at 520am and drove through for fast food breakfast close by and got to the gate by 730, and front row for rope drop when let in, so it worked out perfectly. Thanks for all suggestions.