swands530

We're planning a day trip from Palm Springs to Disneyland midweek sometime the week after Easter. Is there a specific driving route that would be better to avoid the morning commute? We're hoping to get to the park right at the 9am opening, which I assume would put us right in the middle of prime traffic. Bad idea? If we aim to get there at 8am, would that be better? Thanks in advance!

logandog

You will be driving in the heart of rush hour in bound to Orange County. The traffic will be bad unless you go super early.

fairygemgirl

The only route choice you really have is 1-10 to I-60 to I-91 to I-57. The worst bottleneck areas are usually Moreno Valley, Corona and all of Orange County. Occasionally there is a traffic reprieve about 8:15 am but I wouldn't count on it. If you have multiple people in the car, Definitely use the car pool lane as far as you can. Also if you have or can borrow a FastTrac (you can't use cash), use the FastTrac lanes. Otherwise just get ready to hurry up and wait. Have a wonderful time.

janisj

That is going to be a minimum 2 hour drive (and likely longer). Is there any way you could drive over the evening before and stay the night near the park? Otherwise you are going to have a VERY long day.

MomDDTravel

What Janisj said.

swands530

Darn, although I'm not surprised. We're checking out of our rental condo that morning, so staying the night in Anaheim won't work, unfortunately. Generally, what time does the traffic begin and end? I guess our only options are get to Anaheim VERY early or get to Disney a couple hours after it opens...

Thanks for the route tips. We'll have our three kids with us, so we'll definitely qualify for the car pool lane! Does anyone have any idea if Fast Track accepts the East coast's EZ-Pass? I just did a quick search but couldn't find anything. Thanks!

logandog

Many thousands of people commute from more affordable areas to their jobs in Orange County each day.
The rush starts very early because they know it's a long trip.
Your carpool option would be more useful on the 60 west and the 57 south as they have free carpool lanes most of the way.
You want to be at Disneyland when it opens,it's the least crowded and most fun.
I would take a stab at 5:30 for departure.You will sit in traffic,but what the hell,you're going to DISNEYLAND!

sf7307

I'm almost certain Fast Trac does not accept EZ Pass, however, if you're renting a car, you might be able to get a Fast Trac thingie with the car.

sf7307

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-ZPass#United_States

janisj

"Darn, although I'm not surprised. We're checking out of our rental condo that morning, so staying the night in Anaheim won't work, unfortunately"

If it was me -- and that's just me -- I'd 'eat' the last night in the condo and check out after dinner the night before. Then drive over to Anaheim when the traffic wil be a fraction of what it is a 0600.

Can you even checkout at 5AM? Even if it cost an extra $150 - $200 for the night (and you can usually get decent rooms all around DL for a lot less than that) it would be worth it to me.

sf7307

>>

ditto. There are tons of motels across the street from Disneyland. You could probably even get something on Hotwire.

paula1470

From Riverside (the 60 and then the 91) all the way through to Anaheim is absolutely terrible in the morning. I drive through all of So. Cal for my job and honestly I avoid that area if I can. (I do have a fast pass, though) I think if you don't live in the area you can't comprehend that kind of traffic. It starts very early, probably around 6am and usually doesn't break up until after 9am. Right now I'm looking at the traffic map at 9:45am and it looks pretty good.

I just went on Google Map and it's saying that if you go the I-10, I-60, 91 freeway route it's about 3 hours in traffic and I'd say that's a good estimate. The route that's the least time is to stay on I-10 to the 57 freeway The 10 would be busy but there are more carpool lanes you could use. The 57 freeway, though, is often a nightmare into OC. That route is still 2 1/2 hours in traffic and it could also take 3 hrs to go that way.

Personally I'd bite the bullet and do as janis and Mom have recommended and go the night before. If you leave Palm Springs as early as 5-5:30am that will put you right in the middle of the commute. And you'd have to get up at 4am to be ready to leave and pack up. Talk about a long day!! If you left Palm Springs around 7:30-8am then traffic MIGHT not be so bad once you hit the Riverside area. Are you staying in Anaheim the day you visit Disneyland?

Cali

I agree with janisj & Momddtravel and think you should just forget about that last night in the condo and stay somewhere near Disney the night before. The traffic from PS to Orange County can be terrible at any times of the day. We drive it often and it is not a fun drive in heavy traffic. You can always bid for a hotel in the Disney area and get a good rate.

myway_22

So what was the best option? I'm making the same trip next week with 3 kids and I'm also not staying in anaheim the night before. I was just thinking about leaving little later and miss the opening. Other suggestions?

janisj

myway: "So what was the best option? I'm making the same trip next week with 3 kids and I'm also not staying in anaheim the night before."

The best option hasn't changed. If possible, it is by far (FAR) easier to stay in Orange County that night and not try to drive in from Palm Springs that morning.

If you wait until the traffic clears you won't get to DL until nearly lunch time. It is almost 100 miles.