A question for you Southern California Fodorites. We'll be driving from Newport Beach to Cal State University Northridge on a Monday morning to take my son on a 10:00 a.m. campus tour. I am well aware how heavy LA traffic can be so my question is which is better, take the 405 or the I-5 for the drive (Rand McNally shows the 405). I appreciate any advice you could provide. Thanks for your help.

405 all the way

Ow. I'd leave NB about 7 am, take the 405, expect stop-and-go traffic. If you happen to get to Northridge early you can get breakfast somewhere.

Agree with azzure, but not later than 7 A.M. The 405 (San Diego Fwy to us old-timers) is your best bet and it may very well take you almost two hours to reach Westwood, or at least the I-10 intersection. From there you should pick up a little speed going northbound into the SF Valley.

405 and use the HOV lanes whenever possible.

Yikes, 7:00 a.m. departure! Maybe I'll look into a later tour in the early afternoon, but of course we'll have to deal with returning afternoon traffic then.

Thanks for your replies about the 405 (San Diego Fwy)and HOV lanes.

Taking a contrarian view here, because of the massive 405 construction project through the Sepulveda Pass that starts next week: www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_14115303

Google maps shows that the 5 to the 101 is only one minute longer in normal conditions. There will not be normal conditions on the 405 for at least 3 years.

I would suggest changing to the afternoon tour, but I'd still take the 5. Stay in Northridge for dinner-- and maybe a basketball game, concert or other on-campus event-- before returning south.

lvk read my mind, but I'd still chance the 405. The project actually begins on Tuesday, January 12th.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...C6125839.story

But I'd still leave Newport Beach at 7:00 a.m.