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Author: Subject: Avoiding L.A. Traffic
MrBillM
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[*] posted on 12-11-2005 at 10:31 AM
L.A. Traffic


Although I haven't braved the Los Angeles Interchanges in a number of years, I think it can be assumed that the traffic has become Worse since I last ran (crawled) that Gaunlet and the one thought I have is that you need to do EVERYTHING possible to avoid it. All of these anecdotal tales of good hours vs bad, don't take into account what happens at any given time IF there are accidents. Their impact is multiplied exponentially in that nightmare of interchanges.

A number of years back, I was working on a Network support contract in Newbury Park (Thousand Oaks). I would drive up there Sunday night and return home on Friday afternoon. Usually leaving there at 3 p.m., my drive home varied from 2.5 hours to 5.0 hours for the same distance. One collision brings things to a complete halt. God forbid if there is a fatality. In these days of rampant litigation, the CHP closes down the whole area for accident investigation. When I worked in Ontario, there was a Fatality accident and I10 Eastbound was closed for Seven hours.

[Edited on 12-11-2005 by MrBillM]
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bajalou
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[*] posted on 12-11-2005 at 10:33 AM


Go Greyhound - and leave the driving to us.



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[*] posted on 12-11-2005 at 11:09 AM


Diver,
Are you trying to get to Phoenix? or to a border crossing in Arizonia? or or Califorinia, or what?

If you're trying to get to Phoenix or a border crossing in Arizonia, then the way to go is to avoid the L.A basin and San Diego completely. To do this, take I5 to CA-46 (Lost Hills exit). This is a very good two lane road with a mostly 55-65 speed limit that will take you over to 99. It's a pleasent drive through farmland (orchards mostly).

Then 99 (4 lane divided) to 58 in Bakersfield, which is four lanes until about Mojave where it becomes 2 lane again.

At Barstow you will join I40, 4 lane divided all the way into Arizonia (and beyond). At that point it depends on where you're going in Arizonia, but you've eliminated the SoCal crunch and just about any route is a breeze. You can take either CA 95/78 or AZ 95 south to I10 or I8, or AZ93 or I17 to Phoenix & I10. I wouldn't go too far on I40 in the winter or you might find yourself in snow. AZ 95 or 93 pretty much eliminates that possibility most winters.

If you take CA95 or AZ 95, you can stop at Quartzsite for the worlds biggest flea market, if you're traveling in the winter.




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[*] posted on 12-12-2005 at 09:49 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
I would take 58 east from Bakersfield to Kramer Jct then south on 395. It merges with I15 at Cajon pass. South to 215, then east on 30 to I10. Not 4 lane all the way but have always moved well over this route.

:saint:


This is the way I do it also and it works great!
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[*] posted on 12-12-2005 at 05:55 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
I would take 58 east from Bakersfield to Kramer Jct then south on 395. It merges with I15 at Cajon pass. South to 215, then east on 30 to I10. Not 4 lane all the way but have always moved well over this route.

:saint:


As a long time resident of the "Inland Empire" I agree with this route as well. As above, take 58 east in Bakersfield to 395 at Kramer Jct., then 395 south will merge with the 215S at the summit of Cajon Pass, take this south, at the bottom of the grade stay to your left heading towards San Bernardino - not San Diego - (there are huge direction signs there) about 5 miles SE of the freeway split take the Redlands/Highland exit going to the east (Hwy30), after about 10 miles or so it will merge with I-10, stay to the left following the signs toward Indio. Its about an hour to Indio, then 1 1/2hrs to Blythe/CA-AZ border, then about 1 1/2 to Phoenix. Of course thats at cruising speed in my Toyota.

You may hit traffic at several locations depending upon the time of your travel. Central Bakersfield, and the 30 & I-10E junction can get bogged down in rush hour traffic about late afternoon - doesn't matter what day it is. Friday is the worst. Once you get past Redlands/Yucaipa on the I10E it pretty much opens up all the way to Phoenix. During the holiday season from about Thanksgiving to New Years, the traffic seems to be light during rush hour but the CHP (black and white units) and AZ State Troopers (blue and/or white units) are more prolific. Be wary of them on the I-10 in the Banning/Beaumont area, and the Blythe area in Calif., and the Quartzsite area in AZ. ;D



[Edited on 11/12/2005 by bugdude]




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[*] posted on 12-12-2005 at 06:20 PM


Thanks for all your suggestions !!

I have printed and will try at least one of your suggestions. I think the 58 to Bakersfield to 395 to 215 and I-10 seems to be the consensus so we will try it on the way down. 5 days in Phoenix and then Tecate here we come !! ....then..... Bahia de LA, Mulege, La Ventana, Cabo Pulmo, Todos Santos and points unknown........
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