eyy152

I have to start a drive to Santa Barbara sometime after 1:30 PM.... but I have guests from out of town that don't wanna waste the good weather in the car, so they'd prefer to go to the beach for a couple hours and that would put the trip right before rush hour.... I'm planning on waiting it out, but what would be the best time to leave for efficiency (keeping driving through the horrendous LA traffic in mind)? The drive is about 4 hours. Would 6pm be acceptable?

dbdurand

Right now at 8:50, the traffic looks very good on:

http://www.sigalert.com/Map.asp?lat=...-118.51808&z=2

Check this a few days before you leave to see what it typically is at the hours you think you will be driving. Saturday might be somewhat different than a week day.

1JAR

My expereince has been no matter when or what time or how you go, you will run into heavy, standstill traffic around LAX..sorry, don't wish to be doom & gloom but we have never had any less of a drive....Saturday my be slightly an advantage, but very slightly.

clarkgriswold

Saturday afternoons are a breeze, it's the lightest day at LAX and up to SB, I don't think any time on Saturday would be much different than another, "rush hour" on Saturday is nothing like Mon-Fri.

eyy152

wasn't aware that Saturday was considered a lighter day. Thanks!

MomDDTravel

Sat. is 100% considered a lighter day - unless there is something weird going on (construction/marathon/holiday). It should not be too big of a deal.

sf7307

Is it the particular road that's better? Because we once spent 2 hours trying to get from Torrance to Hollywood on a Saturday around 3:30 pm - no construction and no accidents, just traffic.

MomDDTravel

My cousin lives in Malibu and I avoid the 5 as much as possible when I was driving from OC to her house - taking the 405 due to the fact the traffic always seemed worse.

Tomsd

It has been my experience that Saturday afternoon/evenings (lots of shoppers/people heading out for Sat evening) - can still be busy on the 405 and also on the 101 heading toward SB. What you might consider is leaving a little earlier from SD - and when you get up to LA - work your way over to the Beach/Ocean - via a short drive on the 10 from the 405 (at Santa Monica - north of the Airport)- or even before the airport if the traffic is really slowing down. http://tinyurl.com/7srekhy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interst..._in_California


BTW - get some good maps - especially one for LA Freeways - and listen to AM 1070 for frequent traffic updates.

OOnce you get over to the Beach - you come out by Santa Monica (or by Marina Del Rey if you turned off earlier) - and can enjoy a little longer - but much more scenic drive up the Coast/PCH/Hiway 1 - through Malibu and on to SB.

MomDDTravel

PCH in Malibu is very backed up generally speaking on weekends. I have driven it many times and it can take a VERY long time - and heed the speed limits.