What am I looking at for quickest route from San Fran to LA and how long will it take me? Will be in San Francisco for marathon Sunday July 31st, then am wondering if it is feasable to leave the following day, Monday, and jump on a cruise ship?

Should take about 7 hours with one stop for gas.I5 is the fastest route.Add more time if you get stuck in LA traffic.

Why not fly? It's an hour flight, you have several area airports. If you get to OAK, you can JetBlue into LGB and you're close to whichever port the ship leaves from (LA or Long Beach). Much easier than that long, long drive, more time-efficient and frankly smarter.

SWA has one way flights from OAK-LAX for $77.00 all day on the 1st of August.About the same price gas costs if you drive.Didn't check Jet Blue to LGB.

JetBlue has OAK-LGB $49 for first flight, $79 the rest, I think. Cab or shuttle to the specific Port will be cheaper from LGB. The downside is that the small facility there is now a zoo thanks to the success of JetBlue and American's popular LGB-DFW flights (and America West's LGB-LAS and LGB-PHX routes).

Thanks for your replys guys! Wow I didnt know it would take that long. The flight is looking better and better since either way I have to get from SF to LA on the 1st and am not sure when the ship leaves. I was looking for the cheapest option because there are 4 of us. I can get to LAX or SFO from Denver for around $200 roundtrip! (today!)

Just for fun, I did a Yahoo! map from the corner of Market and Van Ness in SF to the corner of Harbor and 7th in the Port of Los Angeles (San Pedro).

It's 404 miles, folks. The LA portion will take you past downtown LA, on some of the most heavily-traveled highways in our area (the Harbor Freeway is full of 18-wheelers hauling stuff to and from the Port). I highly discourage you from even attempting this drive if you can help it. Even flying Southwest or United Shuttle or Ted or whatever into LAX and schlepping in a cab to the Port would be preferable. Take my word on this one.

Heard of Mapquest.com? Try it, you may like it.