Traffic?

[Hidden_Mickey]

So, I've heard about the infamous traffic in SoCal. Around here, in NYC/CT/NJ, some roads are parking lots all day, no matter what day it is. Rush hour is worse, but the middle of the day is not much better. If you drive at the crack of dawn or after 7:00 pm, it's a lot lighter.

Is there any rhythym to LA traffic? If we leave the hotel at 7:00 am, to get somewhere to avoid the morning rush, will that help? If we plan take our time in an area and return after 7:00 pm, will that help?

What causes the traffic? Is it all volume, or are there a lot of accidents that make it worse? Construction? Poorly designed interchanges?

In general, we know to expect it, but, do you have any suggestions as to definitely what to do or not to do, to ease the pain a little?

Thank you!

 

[ILUVALASKA]

I am a local, native Californian. Traffic during the week is bad from 7 am-10 am, and then again from 4 pm-7 pm. Yesterday I drove from Anaheim to Claremont at noon Saturday and was stuck in traffic at two points. There are simply too many people on the freeways, and many people cause accidents due to speeding. Now, you have worse traffic when there is an accident. Sorry, but you can't predict LA traffic. We tried to go to Santa Barbara last SUNDAY, two hour drive, and after two hours o the 101, we were only in Ventura. We gave up on Santa Barbara. Good luck.

 

[FryingPansWhoKnew]

Yeah, you can predict, based on the times above, but there are no guarantees. I once got stuck on the 110 freeway at 1 AM. I'm sure similar things happen in NYC.

 

[ashley0139]

So, I've heard about the infamous traffic in SoCal. Around here, in NYC/CT/NJ, some roads are parking lots all day, no matter what day it is. Rush hour is worse, but the middle of the day is not much better. If you drive at the crack of dawn or after 7:00 pm, it's a lot lighter.

Is there any rhythym to LA traffic? If we leave the hotel at 7:00 am, to get somewhere to avoid the morning rush, will that help? If we plan take our time in an area and return after 7:00 pm, will that help?

What causes the traffic? Is it all volume, or are there a lot of accidents that make it worse? Construction? Poorly designed interchanges?

In general, we know to expect it, but, do you have any suggestions as to definitely what to do or not to do, to ease the pain a little?

Thank you!

I think you'd have to leave earlier than 7am to avoid the morning rush. The morning rush is pretty much in full swing by then. Also, 7pm is not really after rush hour. It's more like 10pm. I wish I were joking, but I've been stuck in traffic going from Anaheim to LA at 11pm.

As for what causes it? All of the above.

 

[ladeedeb]

Now days it is not just the freeways, the side streets are also very crowded. What used to be a 20 min trip to work 20 years ago on side streets took an hour and a half when I was back visiting several years later. From what friends said, that was now close to normal. Just give yourself lots of extra time where ever you are going and if you luck out and get there early, great. And, bring your patience.