Marin County, Calif. to DLR?

[BayAreaE]

Google Maps is telling me to, basically, go:

101S (n. Marin to San Rafael/Richmond Bridge) to
580E (Richmond to Tracy area) to
I-5 (Tracy area to DLR).

Travel time: 7 hr, 20 min.

Is this the best way to go?

What about taking 101S all the way down the coast, then going over to I-5 in SoCal? We'll be travelling at night, so coastal scenery isn't a big draw.

What have others done?

Thanks, leaving this Sat 2am-ish.

 

[GrandBob]

Google Maps is telling me to, basically, go:

101S (n. Marin to San Rafael/Richmond Bridge) to
580E (Richmond to Tracy area) to
I-5 (Tracy area to DLR).

Travel time: 7 hr, 20 min.

Is this the best way to go?

That's the way I'd do it.

What about taking 101S all the way down the coast, then going over to I-5 in SoCal? We'll be travelling at night, so coastal scenery isn't a big draw.

The problem with saying you want to take 101S is the SF segment. You're talking GG bridge, Doyle drive/Lombard/Van Ness, and then 101 through the Potrero section and down the peninsula. Much, much slower.

If you really want to do 101, the next best route (but a distant 2nd to the recommended one above) is to take it as far as Gilroy, and go over 152 Pacheco Pass to I-5.

The third best route would be to take 101 to Paso Robles, and take 46 across to I-5.

The 4th best route would be 101 south all the way down through Santa Barbara.

HTH,
Bob

 

[LavenderPeach]

Yes, take 101 to 580 to 5. We're originally from Sonoma County but now live in SoCal and that is the way we always take when we go back "home" to visit family. We've taken the 101 a few times but it takes us 2 more hours to go that way so we only do that if we want to stop and sight see along the way.

 

[skiingfast]

That's about how I did it when I lived in the Bay Area.

The 101 won't be faster, if your not doing it for scenery it's not worth considering. Just enjoy the safer and faster high speed cruising down I-5.

 

[Somegirl]

From Marin the the I-5 route might be your best choice. It would take a lot of time going through the City if you took 101 all the way.
If you do take 101 I would just take 19th Ave. through SF to 280 and then get connected with 101 through south 85 to Gilroy.
Google maps lets you put in different routes so you can see how long 101 would take. 101 only adds 15 minutes from where I live so that is the way we go.
I personally prefer 101 over 5. There is so much nice scenery on 101 that for me the ride goes by a lot faster than 5. Plus 101 doesn't have all the big trucks. Since you're driving at night though maybe the quickest way is the best.

 

[BayAreaE]

Thanks for the help. 101 to 580 to 5 it is.

 

[BayAreaE]

Thanks for the help. 101 to 580 to 5 it is.

My DW had a friend tell her for us to take the 210 around Santa Clarita to the 57 (San Dimas) then down to DLR. They said it was a shortcut. Looking at the map, it seems longer. Anyone use this "shortcut"?

 

[GrandBob]

My DW had a friend tell her for us to take the 210 around Santa Clarita to the 57 (San Dimas) then down to DLR. They said it was a shortcut. Looking at the map, it seems longer. Anyone use this "shortcut"?

It is indeed longer, but can be quicker during rush hour.

You're going to be arriving Sunday, about 8AM, is that right? I'd just go right down I-5.

-Bob

 

[BayAreaE]

It is indeed longer, but can be quicker during rush hour.

You're going to be arriving Sunday, about 8AM, is that right? I'd just go right down I-5.

-Bob

Thanks. It'll actually be Saturday morning, we're leaving Sat 2am (Friday night). So you're right, traffic shouldn't be a concern.

 

[NovemberMom]

Dumb question but when is rush hour on the 5?
Our last trip to Disneyland we sat in traffic forEVER and it was 2 pm on a Monday. Then we left at 12 pm on a Friday back up to the Bay Area and it was gridlock. I may have to try the 210 & 57 this time around. I am used to traffic but this was bad.

 

[Leofoenget]

From Marin the the I-5 route might be your best choice. It would take a lot of time going through the City if you took 101 all the way.
If you do take 101 I would just take 19th Ave. through SF to 280 and then get connected with 101 through south 85 to Gilroy.
Google maps lets you put in different routes so you can see how long 101 would take. 101 only adds 15 minutes from where I live so that is the way we go.
I personally prefer 101 over 5. There is so much nice scenery on 101 that for me the ride goes by a lot faster than 5. Plus 101 doesn't have all the big trucks. Since you're driving at night though maybe the quickest way is the best.

Stay on 280 and hit 101 in San Jose

 

[LavenderPeach]

Dumb question but when is rush hour on the 5?
Our last trip to Disneyland we sat in traffic forEVER and it was 2 pm on a Monday. Then we left at 12 pm on a Friday back up to the Bay Area and it was gridlock. I may have to try the 210 & 57 this time around. I am used to traffic but this was bad.

Traffic in general in Southern California starts to get bad around 2-3 pm and then gets worse from there, especially in notoriously busy areas like LA and Corona. Rush hour starts even earlier on Fridays, as you experienced. And I think if it's a holiday weekend the traffic is probably even worse since everyone is trying to leave work early to get away for the weekend. I wouldn't expect the 210 and 57 to be traffic free during busy times but it may be better. Be aware that the 210 goes through Pasadena which can have bad traffic (not as bad as LA though). I don't have as much experience with the 57 so I'm not sure how bad it is.

 

[Somegirl]

Dumb question but when is rush hour on the 5?
Our last trip to Disneyland we sat in traffic forEVER and it was 2 pm on a Monday. Then we left at 12 pm on a Friday back up to the Bay Area and it was gridlock. I may have to try the 210 & 57 this time around. I am used to traffic but this was bad.

We had this happen once when the Dodgers and the Angels had afternoon games. It was awful. I actually checked their schedules this time while planning. No home games this time.

 

[Gisele]

It takes too long to drive all the way down from 101 S. So in answer to your question, yes, Taking the Interstate is a much better alternative.

 

[Gisele]

That's the way I'd do it.



The problem with saying you want to take 101S is the SF segment. You're talking GG bridge, Doyle drive/Lombard/Van Ness, and then 101 through the Potrero section and down the peninsula. Much, much slower.

If you really want to do 101, the next best route (but a distant 2nd to the recommended one above) is to take it as far as Gilroy, and go over 152 Pacheco Pass to I-5.

The third best route would be to take 101 to Paso Robles, and take 46 across to I-5.

The 4th best route would be 101 south all the way down through Santa Barbara.

HTH,
Bob

You go Bob! Man who needs Google, when Bob is the man with the plan. And all of the alternate plans as well. If I ever get lost, I will send a pm to you!

 

[Jimham4]

If you're coming middle of the night early morning just stick with the 5 through LA. The 210 is a good alternative if you're heading inland but it gets crowded during rush hour afternoons just like ALL the freeways in southern California

 

[GrandBob]

You go Bob! Man who needs Google, when Bob is the man with the plan. And all of the alternate plans as well. If I ever get lost, I will send a pm to you!

Thanks Gisele.

While it's true that I know California roads very well, I've also been known to fail to notice a PM for weeks at a time. Kind of a "one hand giveth, the other taketh away" kinda thing.

-Bob

 

[gatorfreud]

My DW had a friend tell her for us to take the 210 around Santa Clarita to the 57 (San Dimas) then down to DLR. They said it was a shortcut. Looking at the map, it seems longer. Anyone use this "shortcut"?

We did this last time - 210 east right? Can't remember which road we took down but it must have been 57 - ran right into 5 near the HoJo. I don't know if it cut out any time but it was a MUCH nicer drive, nice mountain views, than sitting in all that traffic. We had looked at google maps on the phone as we approached the area - it was all red down 5, so we went on 210.

Kim

 

[Mrs. Toaster]

I live just outside of Atlanta, GA now, but I grew up in San Rafael. I have driven down I-5 many times, and that is the way to go! Please note however, that the rest stops on I-5 through Central CA are few and far between so stop when you think you may need to!