Driving from San Diego to downtown L.A. (Los Angeles, Pasadena: best, build)

[jla317]

I am going to be driving from San Diego to downtown L.A. about 2-3 times a month. Depending on my schedule it will either be leaving Thurs. around 1pm or Fri. around 3pm. and returning either Sunday or Monday morning. What is the best way too and from downtown L.A. I've been there many times and hated the drive, I've tried avoiding the 5 through O.C. by taking the orange county toll (73) to the 405 and then I guess I could either take the 110 north or take the 605 back to the 5 north? I'm not sure guys I don't care about toll fees or anything what way will get me there the fastest?

[TheRealAngelion]

Taking the 405 to the 110 is usually my preferred route into downtown LA. On the way back to SD I sometimes will take the 5 all the way back. It really depends on time of day and where in LA I am.

The 73 toll road is a nice way to shave some time off on the way up to LA, especially during peak traffic hours.

[SurekRZA]

Since your leaving at 1pm or at 3pm, you would arrive to Los Angeles right when traffic hours start. When I drive from San Diego I take the 15 freeway until I hit the 91 west, once Im on the 91, 5 mins later the 71 North will appear and I take that for about 10 mins until I hit the 60(Los Angeles). Once Im on the 60 I take that all the way and once you start getting to Los Angeles you will see a three way intersection for the 10W, 101N, and 5N/10E. From there you take the 101 and once you are on it traffic builds up but you are already 2miles off downtown so you can take the streets to it or you can take the 10W and find the downtown exit when you hit the 110N. This route takes me about an hour and 15 mins to get to Los Angeles but I leave from North County and Im not sure where you are leaving from San Diego so it might be 10-20 mins longer.

[nrvanagrl]

i would suggest taking the train. san diego to LA is always a headache, the only time i ever do it is after 10pm, but i have made good time during the day just taking the 5 before.

[Rats]

fly.......

[Fallbrook]

Originally Posted by SurekRZA

Since your leaving at 1pm or at 3pm, you would arrive to Los Angeles right when traffic hours start. When I drive from San Diego I take the 15 freeway until I hit the 91 west, once Im on the 91, 5 mins later the 71 North will appear and I take that for about 10 mins until I hit the 60(Los Angeles). Once Im on the 60 I take that all the way and once you start getting to Los Angeles you will see a three way intersection for the 10W, 101N, and 5N/10E. From there you take the 101 and once you are on it traffic builds up but you are already 2miles off downtown so you can take the streets to it or you can take the 10W and find the downtown exit when you hit the 110N. This route takes me about an hour and 15 mins to get to Los Angeles but I leave from North County and Im not sure where you are leaving from San Diego so it might be 10-20 mins longer.

I take variations on this route up to L.A. all the time. From Fallbrook to Pasadena, going up the 15, takes less than an hour and a half.