riverhawkfan

Any one know how long it would take to get from a hotel on Lombard St in San Francisco to the San Jose airport on a tuesday morning? I have a 9:45 am flight. It's about a 48 mile drive but I have no idea what the traffic is like in this area. Thanks!

Betsy

What time do you want to be at the airport? Will you be alone? I ask that because 101 has carpool lanes, whereas 280 does not. If you want to be at the airport by 8:15 or so, I'd leave SF no later then 6:45 to 7:00, and drive 280 if you're solo. Alternatively, you could stay in a SJ airport hotel the night prior to your flight (check Priceline).

OJudy

Bay Area traffic can be really bad, especially in the morning. We always stay in a hotel near the airport the night before our flight, just to eliminate the stress of possibly missing our flight. It works out very well for us -- and we live in the Bay Area!

saps

Lombard Street is a long way from the freeway. I would leave no later than 6:30 (be driving at 6:30 not checking out). If you are returning a rental car leave earlier (30 mins) as the SJ rental car facility is off site and not the greatest in terms of speediness.

You might get lucky and get to SJC by 8:00 but one or two accidents and you could get there with no time to spare.

riverhawkfan

Thanks for the info. This sounds as bad as getting to Logan airport in Boston (where I'm from).

riverhawkfan

Betsey,

There will be 6 of us in the van on the way to the airport. Would the carpool lane be much faster?

Betsy

It may be a toss-up. Maybe someone who lives in SF proper can report in on how easy/fast it is to get to 101 vs. 280 from Lombard St. It may depend on where you're staying on Lombard, so could you tell us?

Like saps said above, a fender-bender could change the picture in an instant.

Betsy

Also, when is your trip. If it's raining, a possibility October thru April, all bets are off!

mykidssherpa

In terms of stress, as earlier poster noted, it would be a good idea to switch hotels for your last night if you are a single traveler.

One fender bender and you could be in for trouble, esp., if you then have to return a rental car. It has taken as long as 2.5 hours for me to get from DT San Francisco to DT San Jose, normally 1 hour 20 min.

frogsinthecreek

Betsey, We'll be at the Chelsea Motor inn in August. It's at 2095 Lombard between filmore and webster streets about 1 mile southwest of the Fisherman Wharf area.

Underhill

The San Jose airport is notorious for long lines at check-in and security. Give yourself plenty of time--and consider taking the train instead of driving, then a cab from the train station to the airport.

saps

I'm confused...Is riverhawk fan and frogsinthecreek the same person?

riverhawkfan

saps,

Sorry for the confusion. Frogs is in the cube next to mine. We are both in the midst of planning summer vacations. I asked her to check my posts while she was at it and then had her reply for me.

janisj

The car pool lanes are great - but if there is a wreck they often open them up to anyone so defeats the purpose.

Since you are such a large group - I'd definitely switch to a SJ hotel the night before. You wouldn't need to miss any time in SF - check int to the hotel really late if you want.

W/ even the most reliable traveling companions, the larger the group the more likely for delays. One is having a bad morning, or can't find something in the room, or , or, or. Any little thing can delay you 15 mins. Multiplying the chances by 6 and all bets are off.

Just turn the vehicle in the night before and have a good night's sleep in SJ. . . . . .