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Best route from Malibu to Palm Springs

Texas_Roadrunn1
Explorer
Explorer
You guys have helped us so much on this trip and a little local knowledge is in order here. We would love to avoid traffic on a route that would take us from Malibu to Palm Springs on a work day. Thanks so much in advance for your help.
11 REPLIES 11

Texas_Roadrunn1
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks Prof, this will be a help on our way home. Going through the pass on the way to Palm Springs we got behind a slow car between us and the truck ahead. DH was #^€& because he couldn't get up any speed going up the pass as we had to stay in the right lane. Not fun, finally the car passed the truck AFTER we got through the pass, things got better after that. Obeying the laws is not always easy!

profdant139
Explorer II
Explorer II
Texas, you can tow in Calif at about 59 mph without a ticket. I know the limit is 55, but it is often not safe to go that slowly -- folks (including the trucks) will be swerving around you all the time. I have sailed past the CHP at 59 many, many times while towing -- no problem. The trucks go about 62 -- a little too fast for me.
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
Our trips -- pix and text
About our trailer
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single list."

Texas_Roadrunn1
Explorer
Explorer
We took 10 to 60 and then back to 10, made it in about 3 hrs 25 min., had 1 fuel stop. We left around 9:30 in the morning. 60 was a little heavy around Pomona, but didn't slow down much. We drove 55 mph, tough to do but didn't want any tickets!

Jbrowland
Explorer
Explorer
Helicopter. 🙂

MPond
Explorer
Explorer
Texas Roadrunner wrote:
Thanks so much for your help, we made it to Palm Springs just fine, and we never were in a parking lot! We were thrilled! THANK YOU!


Which route did you choose? Just curious...
2003 Country Coach Intrigue, Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) toad, with just a few mods...

Other rig: 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax Dually / Next Level 38CK Fifth-wheel Toy Hauler w/ quads, sand rail, etc...

Texas_Roadrunn1
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks so much for your help, we made it to Palm Springs just fine, and we never were in a parking lot! We were thrilled! THANK YOU!

MPond
Explorer
Explorer
Texas Roadrunner wrote:
You guys have helped us so much on this trip and a little local knowledge is in order here. We would love to avoid traffic on a route that would take us from Malibu to Palm Springs on a work day. Thanks so much in advance for your help.


Depending on what size RV you have, and your comfort-level with canyons, I'd consider taking Malibu Canyon to the 101, then staying North of downtown via 101 / 134 / 210 / 10, like this:

https://goo.gl/maps/UuNrs

Right at this moment (10:20am on a Monday), traffic through downtown is estimated at 2 h 36 min (141 miles), and going the route I've suggested is 2 h 40 min (153 miles). It's a few extra miles, but an easier drive. Also worth noting that the estimate without traffic is 2 h 26 min, so traffic isn't that bad this time of day (on weekdays).

I've done this drive many times during the day, and never felt the need to leave at 4am. Just leave after morning rush hour, around 9 or 9:30am.
2003 Country Coach Intrigue, Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) toad, with just a few mods...

Other rig: 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax Dually / Next Level 38CK Fifth-wheel Toy Hauler w/ quads, sand rail, etc...

profdant139
Explorer II
Explorer II
If you really want to avoid traffic, leave no later than 4 am. You think I am kidding, but I am not -- we have done that several times. Once you are east of downtown LA, you will be beyond the worst of the traffic.
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
Our trips -- pix and text
About our trailer
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single list."

Texas_Roadrunn1
Explorer
Explorer
So sorry, meant to post this in Roads and Routes, could you please move, Mr. or Ms. Moderator?

SCVJeff
Explorer
Explorer
Why get on the 60 ?
Head down PCH until it turns into the 10, and drive East for about 3 days, or until traffic clears out.
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350

RLMiller
Explorer
Explorer
Lots of luck with that. There really isn’t a traffic free route between Malibu and Palm Springs. That being said, I would simply go east on PCH to I-10, CA-60, then I-10 to the Palm Springs turn-off. Or you could simply stay on I-10 the entire way. On a work day, I would try to leave Malibu about 9 am to at least avoid the rush hour traffic. But you will still have lots of traffic, especially until you get east of downtown Los Angeles.

Richard L. Miller
2001 Safari Zanzibar, 38'
2014 Honda CRV toad
Amateur Radio KJ6W