I'm travelling from Hearst Castle on Wednesday 5th Jan 2005 to Manhattan beach LA.

I could leave as early as 13:00 and as late as 17:00.

I have a route from Mapquest (CA 1S, 101, I 405)and it estimates about 240 miles\4 hours.

Is there any best time to travel to avoid LA traffic jams and what time does it get dark at that time of year?

Thanks

Gets dark around 4:45pm...., I'd leave Hearst at 17:00 if I were you!

I'd leave later as well. You wont have the scenery because it will be getting dark, but you wont have the traffic either. I believe that 405 has a carpool lane, so if you have more than one person in your car, you could use that if you end up hitting traffic. I think sunset is about 4:45 or 5 that time of year and the streetlights come on about 5:15 or 5:30.

The coast is a nice drive at Sunset, you might consider leaving San Simeon around 2:30pm, having an early dinner by the harbor in Ventura while sitting out the traffic, then leaving Ventura around 7:30pm for your final 90 minutes southbound.

tracy's idea is an excellent one. On a Wednesday, after 7 PM the traffic south into west LA and Manhattan Beach will be moving at the speed limit, barring accidents. You should be fine.

One never avoids LA traffic - axiomatic.

I would leave early enough to get to 101 before dark, say 2:30 - 3 PM, and aim at being through Santa Barbara around 5:30. That way you'll be hitting the core LA traffic areas (around the 101-405 jct, then the rest of the way to the airport) past their peaks. OTOH you can go the slow way (but not really all that bad) by following SR 1 all the way, down through Oxnard, Malibu and Santa Monica; it eventually becomes Sepulveda Blvd. passing right through Manhattan Beach, home of the mighty Mira Costa Mustangs!

Go mustangs!

When I used to live in SB, I'd try to clear the area by 4 or so...traffic on the 101 south when you get past the downtown exits can bottle up badly. Sometimes, the traffic would start right when you get into SB.

I don't know how bad it is on Fridays now. Whenever I commute from my friend's house in Arroyo Grande, I make sure to avoid the SB area during rush hour too. Hopefully it will be steady until you get to ventura (or wherever you want to go) where you can ride out the LA traffic.

Message: Thanks to all who replied.

I like the idea by tracys2cents, any recommendations??

Ta