Please calm my driving in LA fears

[disfaninca]

I totally agree with YellowMickeyPonchos. I live very close to Burbank and USH and drive the 5 down to DL all the time. You will hit traffic at the time you are planning to go, but if you follow the signs and relax, you will be fine. There will be a carpool lane when you get close to Anaheim. The freeway opens up nice and wide. Definitely take it (if you have passengers in your car) there will be an exit for DL on the left. Very easy.
Good luck!

 

[disfan07]

You forgot to add that on Fridays rush hour starts about 1:30. I can varify this true at least on 5. Wonder why they call it rush hour when no one can go any faster than 5-10 mph.

hahaha. You know, that's one of those questions thats always been in the back of my mind. It's right there along with why does donald duck have a towel around his waist after a shower when he doesn't normally wear pants..lol

One friday we drove form Beverly Hills to Santa Clarita at 3:30PM

It took us 2 hours to get home. I swear our car didnt go more than 5 mph at anytime. Now, if we are on the road at that hour on a friday we take Sepulveda all the way home. Much faster.

 

[kristenandrick]

I have to be honest and admit I have bounced back and forth from "I can do this!" and "Why would I want to do this?!"...that is drive in any kind of LA traffic. So...I looked into using shuttles, I found out about the shuttle that Universal has that goes to and from the park and picks you up at your hotel. If we use that and the Disney Shuttle, I can actually save money . Thanks to everyone, I really appreciated your input for making this decision. I guess I am just not as brave, or as patient lol, as one needs to be to drive in LA.

 

[tdashgirl]

I agree that LA freeways (especially the 5 heading South - which is how we get to Anaheim since we're from N. California) are slow (rush hour - ha) all the time except maybe in the middle of the night? Seriously, we cruise on the 5 at around 15-25 MPH all through LA. 11am, 2pm, 4pm ... doesn't matter

 

[Miss Peach]

Hi!

I am a California native that has been driving for MANY years. I have driven in the East Coast and in the Pacific Northwest and in my opinion Southern California freeway driving can be a challange.

Try to stay out of the far right lane because the merging brings out the worst in people! But also plan for your exits/interchanges well in advance so you do not have to act in haste!

Allow plenty of time, rush hour can start EARLY!!

A GPS is a must, if you make a wrong move you can be guided back to the correct freeway by your calm, unflustered GPS rather than the overwhelmed navigator!

Panhandlers are a completely different question. There are MANY of them--I was in Santa Barbara yesterday, and I think there were more drunks, druggies, hippies, hobos, crazies, buskers, etc. than shoppers.

My policy is to remember that A LOT of these panhandlers are working their corner like a job, someone will swing by at regular intervals to bring them a beverage, take their haul to the bank, and watch their corner while they take a bathroom break. It is a business, if you don't feel guilty passing a store without giving them money--do not feel guilty passing a panhandler by.

If eye contact is made, I say 'no thank you', and keep moving.

Have fun on your trip!!

Cathy

 

[Funball]

All i can say to those that have never drove in LA traffic, it’s not that bad. There is FAR worse places to drive! Yeah in rush hour it’s slow. But in some countries they drive on the sidewalk!!!!!!

I would just be relaxed, and calm and you will get through the traffic!