Driving from San Jose to Gilroy
 

Hi,
I fly into SJC this weekend and my first stop is Gilroy. When I've done Mapquest, I have gotten two different recommendations. One is to take 101 to Gilroy and the other recommends 87 to 85 to 101. Is one better than the other? Seems like it would be easier to just do 101 the whole way, unless there are construction or speed issues that would make the other better.
Thanks in advance.

Either one will work.

101 may be easier for you, but it's the older freeway and goes through some industrial, ugly areas.

Both 87 and 85 are newer freeways and "ride" better - less bumpy.

It really all depends on the time of your arrival. During peak traffic hours, 101 and 87 are particularly congested as everyone streams from work (downtown) home to the suburbs.

I'm going to be hitting the road probably around 1 pm.

Either works - both are easy. Why Gilroy?

One would suspect the Gilroy outlet mall is the draw, but I've never found bargains to be found there that are worth even the 45 minute drive from my house.

1pm is a good time. Traffic starts on 101 around 3pm.

101 would be easier for you to drive, if you have problems deciding which route.

I was on both your routes this last weekend and saw no construction problems.

Are you going further than Gilroy?

I smell garlic.

If by 'weekend' you mean Saturday, don't worry too awful much about traffic.

If on the other hand, you mean Friday - get on the road as early as you can. 1PM will be fine, later - not so good.

It will be Friday and my ultimate destination is Carmel.

Thanks everyone (with the exception of bulldog and the weird comment).

bulldog's comment is not at all weird. Gilroy is known as the garlic capital of the world. It's not a bad guess that your destination may have been the famous Gilroy Garlic Festival!

<It's not a bad guess that your destination may have been the famous Gilroy Garlic Festival!>

Except that it's always held at the end of July.

aggiegirl: unless you have family or pressing business in Gilroy, I'd suggest that you continue on to Carmel at the earliest possible time that is feasible for you.

When it's a nice weekend, everyone leaves early and heads for the beach or southern California or...so traffic will get pretty bad early on a Friday along 101.

The best way to get from Gilroy to Carmel is to follow 101 until you see a sign that says "156, Monterey Peninsula". Follow 156 westbound (it's very short, only about 7 miles on a two-lane road) and then 156 will get you to Highway 1. Going southbound on 1 will take you to Carmel.

Have a good trip! :)

Since Carmel is your destination, I'd bag stopping in Gilroy and just carry on straight to Monterey/Carmel. Leaving by 1PM will miss the worst of the traffic but not all.

I agree - unless you have some pressing business in Gilroy, don't stop, or the part of your drive from Gilroy to Carmel will be awful.

I'd just take 101 - the bumpy/industrial part of 101 that you will drive through is less than 10 minutes of your drive.

And I think we are unanimous about heading straight to Carmel.

Ok, straight to Carmel it is! Thanks everyone!

Sorry, but Garlic isn't only the first thing I think of,it's really the only thing I think of when someone mentions Gilroy. And you will be able to smell garlic in your car with the windows up.

I just read something the other day that somewhere in Gilroy is going to start producing Black Garlic. Evidently this is only being produced in Korea currently. I didn't know that it is fermented garlic at a high temperature. I have eaten it, but never actually cooked with it myself.

I vote to head straight to Carmel too. This will also save you one less time of having to pack/unpack at your hotel.

easytravler, Was that a garlic press you were referring to?

Hey bulldog, the Gilroy stop was only a short stop, not an overnight. Anyways, I now have my priorities straight with regard to Gilroy. Thanks!

spirobulldog: :)

How did you guess?

BTW, we were returning from down south at about 9pm last Sunday and, boy, could we smell the garlic once we got close to Gilroy!

aggiegirl: don't know where you're coming from, but if you are leaving San Jose airport at 1pm (assuming that you have your rental car by them), and you are getting hungry, you can stop off in Gilroy for an In-n-Out burger. Take the Leavesley street exit. go over the freeway and you'll see the red and yellow sign on your left.

http://www.in-n-out.com/

Made from 100% beef (no "slime" added), freshest ingredients, etc. etc.

Try one "animal style" - which is with grilled onions

Or try it "protein style", substituting the bun with a lettuce wrap.

you can have it protein and animal style.

A "two by two" is two hamburger patties with two slices of cheese. A "three by three". I believe the max is a "six by six".

Their milk shakes, too, are all natural ingredients. Fattening and yummy!