Indio to Buellton on a weekday morning

I highly recommend a late morning start so you can miss most of the heavy morning-commute traffic.

gemsworld wrote:
I highly recommend a late morning start so you can miss most of the heavy morning-commute traffic.

That would put us in Buellton at 1pm or later and would interfere with plans we have for the afternoon.

Then leave one more day early. LA traffic is blankety blank blank. Good luck to you.

Yes, I'm well aware of LA traffic, hence the question. Would appreciate info on alternative routes from those that have driven them.

There are no alternatives. The first route in your post is the best, however, you will still encounter heavy traffic. If you need to be at your destination at a particular time and want to miss most of the heavy traffic. I suggest hitting the road no later than 4 a.m. Good luck!

gemsworld wrote:
There are no alternatives.

I have seen others mention routing through palmdale for other destinations. Have you driven the 2nd route mentioned and can describe the route and any issues?

mileshuff wrote:
I have seen others mention routing through palmdale for other destinations. Have you driven the 2nd route mentioned and can describe the route and any issues?

We recently traveled from Redlands to Ventura on a Tuesday morning using the 215->15->138->14->126->101 just to avoid as much of the LA area as possible. We started mid-morning so missed much of the 215 and 15 rush hour. Much of the 138 is just two lane, but mostly decent road. I'd recommend leaving early enough to miss as much of the San Bernardino area traffic as possible. But you may hit some traffic on the 14.

The route I like is 10 > 210 > 118 > 126 >101. Just 5 miles longer than your typical route. Only a short stretch that is not freeway (Moorpark to Saticoy). Keeps north of much of LA/San Fernando Valley. Still going to be traffic. Lesser of two evils.

Safe travels

I've lived in L.A for 35 years and traffic has always been a **** shoot. If you take the shortest route plan to leave very early. If you want to take the "scenic" route plan to spend time on the road. Either way leave early.... There are no guarantees getting through the L.A. metro area.

I work in the LA area and anytime I need to get out of town on a weekday I try to leave by 5AM or wait until after 9AM. So coming from Indio you would need to leave around 2:30AM or 6AM to pass through LA at 5 or 9AM.

Your 138 route can get tricky due to traffic on I-15 and 138 in Palmdale/Lancaster