OT: For those SoCal people

[norcalbiker]

Is hwy 405 southbound from hwy 101 to hwy 5 really that bad?

I am taking a trip to San Clemente from NorCal. If I leave around 5am I should be hitting hwy 405 by 10am.

[Steve in SLO]

You will be fine. There are a few parts that are always a little slow, but that's a good time to drive that road.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by norcalbiker

Is hwy 405 southbound from hwy 101 to hwy 5 really that bad?

I am taking a trip to San Clemente from NorCal. If I leave around 5am I should be hitting hwy 405 by 10am.

Traffic reports 24 hours a day. But that says something about volume on THE 405 or The I15 of THE Ifive

[Don49]

Google maps will show realtime traffic. You could look at that section around 10am and get an idea. IMO, maybe a little stop and go but nothing serious.

[Ken Robb]

where in NorCal will you begin the trip?

[54ny77]

it sucks no matter which path you take, 5 direct or 101/405/5.

toss a coin, basically.

that said, i'd opt for the 101 route if only because half the journey (pre-oxnard) will be more scenic.

[vqdriver]

Originally Posted by norcalbiker

Is hwy 405 southbound from hwy 101 to hwy 5 really that bad?

I am taking a trip to San Clemente from NorCal. If I leave around 5am I should be hitting hwy 405 by 10am.

yes. it's really that bad. but that time frame you mention will probably be fine. what you really want to avoid is the 5 out of LA. if you're taking the 405 to the 5, you'll hit it in south OC, which misses most of the suckiest sections.

[alessandro]

Moved.

[beeatnik]

Originally Posted by 54ny77

it sucks no matter which path you take, 5 direct or 101/405/5.

toss a coin, basically.

Yep.

The 405 could be clear as a carpool lane was added through the Sepulveda pass. When you're near the airport you'll get slowing. And also in parts of Orange County.

After 10am I would suggest a straight shot on the 5 unless there's construction delays just before LA becomes Orange County.

Check sigalert.com at 9:45 the morning of your trip. Should give you a better idea of traffic flow than the radio traffic reports.

[nublar]

I would download the Waze app on your phone and have it route you. It updates routes based on real time traffic information.

[Saint Vitus]

Originally Posted by nublar

I would download the Waze app on your phone and have it route you. It updates routes based on real time traffic information.

I was going to suggest Waze as well. A co-worker swears by it and uses it to get to LA from SD in no time, takes you in counter-intuitive routes but it'll get you there quick apparently.

[doode]

I think you might struggle more with the 101S. You'll be heading into the city with the rest of the folks.

[Bud_E]

I think you'll hit traffic between 101 and 10. Once you're south of the 10 it gets better. Of course if there's a fender bender or just someone pulled over to the shoulder with car trouble everyone has to slow way down to look.

[Mike V]

I'm a transplant from SoCal to Sac area. I do that drive a lot.

5 to 210 to 57 to 91 to 55 to 5

If you have Fastrack

5 to 210 to 57 to 91 to 241 to Oso to 5

[54ny77]

That's an interesting one. I've bookmarked that, thanks!

Originally Posted by Mike V

I'm a transplant from SoCal to Sac area. I do that drive a lot.

5 to 210 to 57 to 91 to 55 to 5

If you have Fastrack

5 to 210 to 57 to 91 to 241 to Oso to 5