San Diego to Santa Barbara - Best way thru/around LA

SCVJeff wrote:
OP must not be from round these parts...
The offered up "detours" are hours out of the way on any day

There is no way to short cut LA without at least a 60 mile detour. Leave early on a weekend morning, head up the 5 to the 405 to avoid all the truck traffic, and either the 101, or up to the 126 and back to the 101. Save lots of time and headache

X2, best advice.

Travelon

OP must not be from round these parts...
The offered up "detours" are hours out of the way on any day

There is no way to short cut LA without at least a 60 mile detour. Leave early on a weekend morning, head up the 5 to the 405 to avoid all the truck traffic, and either the 101, or up to the 126 and back to the 101. Save lots of time and headache

5 to the 405 to the 101. It isn't that bad, just grin and bare it, I have done it many times.

lanerd wrote:
I donno no. I think I would come up the 15 to the 215 to the 210 to the 5 to the 126 to the 101.

Why not stay on the 15 to the 210 it's shorter and traffic might be lighter depending on the time of day,

lanerd wrote:
I donno no. I think I would come up the 15 to the 215 to the 210 to the 5 to the 126 to the 101.

+1

I donno no. I think I would come up the 15 to the 215 to the 210 to the 5 to the 126 to the 101.

15N to 215N to 60W to 57N to 210W til it connects to the 5N. Best way around LA but you still want to avoid rush hour traffic.

Unless you're coming straight from Arizona without going to San Diego. Then stay on 10WB to the 210 then the 5

There is NO easy way!!!
Up the Long Beach, use the Santa Anna, even go the Riverside - it is ALL going to be full of cars - and most will want to be in front of you!!

Pick your route, stay calm, keep in (FIGHT to stay in) the center lane to avoid the speed demons on the left and the inconsiderate mergers on the right, go at YOUR speed and Da***M the rest of 'em!!!
You will make it OK - just relax and enjoy!!

Yes, on a trip about 3 years ago, I had a clown merging from the right and so he could get in front of me, he not only drove on the shoulder, but pulled in-front of me and slammed on the brakes due to the traffic! I'm not sure my air-horn even fazed him - but it made me feel better!!
(OH - and if you hit him, plan on a long court case!! - Keep your dash cam working full-time!!)