Which is worse going around LA? The 210 or Rt 138?

[hohiso]

It is reasonably clear to me that I-210 can be very slow, particularly at rush hour time, and that 210 takes a deceptive and dangerous turn to the north in the Pasedena area. It is also reasonably clear that Rt 138 from I-15 at Cajon Pass has construction going on and is a steep road and somewhat risky. (Perhaps 138 has other drawbacks I'm not aware of.) What isn't clear to me is which I should choose in order to minimize risk and aggravation. Towing a 5th whl, which would you choose?

[SCVJeff]

Take your original route. You have to get over the hill somewhere so might as well do it where there's no traffic. You can always go up to Victorville and then across the desert. There is no additional climb between there and the I-5. Why beat yourself up through LA?

[aerbus32]

My concern with the 138 is the strech between the base of Cajon Pass & the turn to Wrightwood. It is very steep. Often very slow trucks & very fast cars. Mostly 2 lane with insufficient passing lanes. As others have said it depends where you are going. We recently, from the Temecula area, used the 71 to access the 210 to head up to Morro Bay. You can access 5 that way. When we are heading to family in Redding, I always go up Cajon Pass, 395 to 58 then to either 5 or 99. To avoid as much traffic as possible, we take the 215 to Newport to 79 to Domenigoni Parkway to Warren Rd to Ramona Expressway to 79 to 10 to the 210 near Redlands. Good route for any size rig.

[SCVJeff]

TANDDANDBIGE wrote:
How about 15 to 395 to 58 to Bakersfield? Yes, the long way, but how is that route either direction for a 40 DP? THX TB

We still don't know where he's going....

[TANDDANDBIGE]

How about 15 to 395 to 58 to Bakersfield? Yes, the long way, but how is that route either direction for a 40 DP? THX TB

[SCVJeff]

Where are you going TO.. Oregon ?
You have already said where you're coming from ?
When: weekday, weekend ?
Aprox. Time ?

[Gonzo42]

Depending on your route south, if you are on the 101 I recommend the 126 east to the 5, then south a short distance on the 5 to the 210. Try to be through Pasadena before 2:30PM on weekdays. I used to commute there 50 miles each way. You will get slowing around Baldwin Ave. either direction no matter what time of day due to the mall traffic.

Just before Pasadena there is always slowing at the tunnel where the 210 and 134 merge. Also some slowing at the 210 & 605, and the 210 & 57, but after that you can get on the 15 and go fairly well.

In the HOV lane at about Madre there is a killer hole in that lane for a drainage gate. Don't you dare hit it; stay to the right edge at that area.

I don't recommend the 118 unless the 126 is jammed. If so, exit the 126 in the middle of Fillmore and go south on the 23 until the 118. You would have to use the 23 to get to Moorpark in order to get on the 118 West to the 210.

[Rocky2]

What is your destination? I have taken the 210 to the 118 and I have taken the 210 to I5 to the 126 to get to Ventura. I prefer the 210 to the 118 to the coast. If I was heading to Bakersfield, I would stick with the 210 and just time it after 10 am.

[TucsonJim]

I'd take the 15 to 138 (Pear Blossom Highway). Over the years, they've made some good improvements with a four lane highway up Cajon Pass once you get off the 15. It's also quite a bit more scenic. I really enjoy driving past Mormon Rocks in Cajon Pass and try to imagine the force along the San Andreas that pushed those slabs of rock onto their side.

[hohiso]

I should have mentioned that I will be departing from San Diego using the 15.

[lhenry8113]

Use the I-210. Try not to be on it going S. after 3 P.M. From our place in Orange County we always take the 605 N. to the 210 to the 5 or 101 depending on where we are headed. Speed limit for towing is 55 mph but I usually travel around 60ish. We have a 5'vr, as well. Do not use the 405 if you can avoid it. Lars