Which airport to palm desert?
 

We are flying from Washington DC to Palm Desert in Nov. We were told to fly into Long Beach airport and drive to the Desert because Jet Blue flies to Long Beach non stop. Any suggestions or comments? We definitely want non stop!

Palm Springs is the closest airport (PSP); then Ontario (ONT); other alternatives Los Angeles (LAX) or Orange County (SNA). If you can't fly into Palm Springs and don't mind driving one hour+-then I guess it doesn't matter. ((h))

If you must have a non-stop - then your choices are pretty limited. Just LAX and Long Beach I think (others may know of other options). Spirit used to fly non-stop to SNA but that's gone.

But depending on the time of day the drive out from LAX or Long Beach will negate most of the benefit of a non-stop flight. I'd personally much rather fly into Palm Springs or possibly Ontario w/ a connection over a non-stop into Long Beach and having to slog across the entire LA basin . . . . . .

If you decide to nix the non-stop idea you can also fly via (and changing in) Phoenix on US Airways

Both United and American Airlines fly non-stop Dulles to LAX.

Note that the time you save by taking a non-stop flight will be more than used up by driving from either LGB or LAX to Palm Desert (which is over two hours from either airport).

I agree with those that recommended you change planes and fly right into Palm Desert - you will be happy you did - it could take you 4 hours EASY from Long Beach depending on when you land/traffic et.

Actually I live near the LGB airport and used to drive regularly to Palm Desert (which is just slightly farther than Palm Springs). Typical drive time was 2 hours. During rush hour, up to 3 1/2 but that would be with an accident, Thursday or Friday evening. If you go with Long Beach be sure to check back on fodors for the best travel route since it changes with the current construction spots on the freeway.

Last time we were in Palm Springs we flew into Ontario. It is still a drive to Palm Springs, but we didn't find it too bad. I wouldn't want to drive from Long Beach or LAX and take a chance on the traffic. We were seriously delayed coming into LAX and by the time we left the rental car agency it was 3 pm on a Friday. Took us 3 hrs to go 60 miles to Riverside. After that, we decide changing flights was worth not dealing with the traffic!

Ontario to Palm Springs/Palm Desert is one hour.

mlgb - what freeway do you take to get to Palm Desert from Long Beach? I live in Southern OC and it has taken me up to 4 hours..

I would recommend Ontario airport - it is about 60 miles to Palm Spring on Interstate 10.

Going east I have a choice of the 91, the 60 or the 10. If I use the 91 I have a choice of the 15 or the 215 to cut up to the 10 and bypass Riverside where there has been some longrunning construction.

I think South OC is a much worse spot for this trip, unfortunately, aren't you too far east? I'm not even sure how I'd do it from there.

mlgb,
I live close to Mission Viejo - it *can take me 2 hours but unfortuantely the 91 is SO bad - it seems on most days at most times.

mswish:

Agree with the others -- the hassle of trying to drive from the L.A.-area airports negates any time advantage "gained" by taking a nonstop. That being said, about the closest you're going to get to a nonstop is Southwest Airlines, which flies one 1-stop (I believe it stops in Nashville) per day to Ontario from BWI. Additionally, if you live in NoVa, by the time you drive all the way over to BWI, will you really be saving any time?

BUT, if you're cost-conscious, the L.A.-area airports may be more cost-effective. Am going to Palm Desert in a few weeks from BWI, and it was FAR cheaper to fly to L.A. & rent a car one way to Palm Desert.

Thanks for your responses. We decided to fly to Long Beach and drive. Hopefully there won't be alot of traffic on Saturday!

Saturdays are light traffic days, but suggest you check back a month before your trip and ask for the best driving routes again. They change depending on what kind of construction is planned.

mlgb:

As previously mentioned, I am driving from LAX to PSP this Saturday . . . Am planning on taking the 10 . . . Any major construction problems? Should I take the 60, or would that be worse?

Thanks!

It is Memorial day weekend...

You would want to avoid the 91/60/215 interchange around the City of Riverside.

If you're coming into Long Beach I'd take the 405 southbound to the 605 northbound, to the 10 and follow it all the way to the desert.

There is a big project in Riverside where the 91-60-215 all come together and even if they are not working on Saturday it is very confusing.

I think you'll be okay on traffic Saturday, despite the weekend. Coming back might be another story.

mlgb, thanks. I'm thinking of taking the 105 to the 605 to the 10.

BUT, this brings up another point . . . I'm driving from PSP to LAS on Memorial Day. I figure that everyone from SoCal would already have either driven there or would be on their way back to SoCal by then? Am returning to PSP the following day (Tuesday). Should I expect any backups on the 15 either way? Do they get backups in the middle of the desert (barring an accident, of course)?

Thanks!!