We will be in LA next week. On Wednesday evening we will drive from LA to Indio. How late should we leave in order to miss the commuter traffic??

You can "play" with google maps traffic function to predict traffic at particular days of the week and times.

What part of "LA" will you be in? Makes a difference. Off-hand, I would say if you leave about 7 PM you should be OK.

"What part of "LA" will you be in? Makes a difference."

Can make a huge difference . . . .

I agree with azzure. Wednesday usually isn't too bad, 7 pm should be okay. Good idea to check the live traffic websites before deciding on which freeway to take..91, 60, 10, or even 210.

If you're coming from the westside of LA you have to factor in time to "get out". So if you're flexible, I'd try to be in a location such as Pasadena or Long Beach in the late afternoon/dinnertime.

Thanks for the help so far. We will be in the Anaheim area. The search we did on Google Earth has us going 91 and 215 and 10.

Anaheim isn't in "LA" and you won't be driving through any part of LA to get to Indio. That route from google earth is fine. I'd personally take 91 > 215 south > 60 > 10.

janisj, thanks for the input, so do I not need to worry about commuter traffic at all?

Unfortunately the Anaheim to Riverside part of the trip will involve traffic. I don't travel it daily to know the best traffic hours. The interchange at the 91 and 60 in Riverside usually bad too.

Traffic can be horrendous on the drive from Anaheim to Indio. It can also go very smoothly. No matter what, give yourself plenty of time, decide if there are any toll roads you can use, have the proper change if necessary, and be patient.
We don't live there now, but travel in that area several times a year. I can't keep all the parts that are toll roads straight, but do check that out. And be sure to check if exact change is required.
Have a great trip.

The 91 can be very bad through the Green River Corridor, but I think the worst will be over by 7pm.

Unless there's traffic, the route you selected is okay, but a lot of people don't like to drive the 60 between Gilman Springs and Moreno Valley at night.

You would want to remain on the 215 northbound (and not take the 60 around Riverside), instead continue to Interstate 10 and take that all the way to Palm Springs.

Unless there's major road construction (there may be, I haven't checked) that route is a few miles longer but easier at night).

Anaheim is NOT L.A. That's a whole different county...as in Orange County. Happy Travels!

As a Northern Californian who's frequently on the LA freeways, I agree with the posters above, especially mlgb. Give yourself plenty of time, especially when driving at night.

Isn't part of the 91 a tollroad?

91 has express lanes that charge a toll. But one must have a transponder to use them. Otherwise, you have to use the free mainlanes.

rkkwan: thanks for your response.

I seem to remember the last time in driving from Claremont to Orange County, I used coins along 91, but maybe not!

Welcome to California, BTW! Will you be going to any SoCal GTGs? Would love to meet you - especially for dim sum!

easytraveler - If I'm in town, I'll definitely come to the GTG. But it's still pretty far in the future, so can't be sure yet.