Is there a way to avoid LA traffic?

[begete]

In mid February, we will be traveling from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara which we have never done before.

What is the fastest route? and is the fastest route the best route to avoid traffic in a 30' motorhome towing a car?

[TEDDE]

That was a concern that we had this summer when we went to Orange county in L.A. from San. Francisco. We had a 38 foot towing and we asked the same question you just asked. I had some very good advice on which routes to take and which routes to stay away from.

Bottom line.... we were advised to stay away from I. 5 interstate coming through L.A. Especially during peak travel times..We took a suggested route and it took us 3 hours longer to get there. But with little traffic. Everyone told us the same advice..

When we were to come home we did not want to go the extra miles to avoid traffic and we went on the I.5 coming out of L.A. before peak time. We had no trouble at all. We stayed in the centre lane and watched the signage as well as our gps and had no problem at all. Sure the traffic was heavy.. but it moved very well. If we were to come back to L.A. I would have no trouble coming in on the I.5.
If you feel comfortable with traffic and have a good spotter..no problem..

Ted

[Wanabee FTer]

Unfortunately you will probably have to go through LA at one point or another to get to Santa Barbara. I would suggest taking I-10 to I-210 (Foothills freeway) This will keep you away from the suburbs of LA and keep you on newer freeways (wider). Then take the 134 to the 101. The 101 will take you all the way up to Santa Barbara. You won't have any problem on the 10 and the 210, the fun will start at/or near the 101. I was born and raised in the LA area, I will never go through LA on a weekday again. Whenever I travel north from the Palms Springs area I leave early Sunday am (8ish) and breeze right through LA. Any other time you will be taking a chance.
Good luck

[RickO]

We had the same concerns but now do it at least a couple of times per year. Don't even think about peak times and be patient. Good spotter and GPS directions so you know well ahead of time what lane you need to be in... and it'll be tolerable... since there really is no way around it.

Don't forget to drive up to Solvang for a day while you're there.

Rick

[Theberrys]

It's only about three hours driving. The 134 is the worst of it, and your really OK clear through the 210 as long as you pick the time of day correctly. Going west on the 210 and 134 the afternoon is best, although the 134 can be bad any time. I'd probably try to hit Glendora around 8PM and do the hard stuff at night, the freeways are well lighted and in good shape, with the possible exception of the 10 around Fontana which is quite bumpy like a washboard. But then again you will be in CA. towing so the speed limit will be 55 MPH which makes the road condition less of an issue. Plan your trip around 55MPH, CA is broke and will jump at the chanch to collect some out of state speeding fines.

Dick

[VanDiemen23]

instead of the 134, take the 210 to the 118 across the north side of the San Fernando and Simi Valleys, which turns into the 23 at Moorpark, connecting to the 101 on the north side of Thousand Oaks. I take this route a couple of times a month and it's by far the easiest way across the LA basin. It can get a bit heavy around the 405 and the transition to the 23 as lanes go away but compared to the other parking lots it's a breeze.

There is a lot of construction right now on the 101 through Camarillo and Oxnard in the northbound lanes. If you avoid hitting that area between 4 and 6pm it should be smooth sailing.

[BobGed]

I hate LA traffic so here's the way I would go:
I-10 to
Hwy 210 N to
I-215 N onto I-15 to
Hwy 138 NW to
Hwy 14 W to
I-5 N to
Hwy 126 to
Hwy 101 N

[Theberrys]

I have taken the rout Bob mentioned just a month or so ago and although it looks farther it takes less time than the 134. The 210 to the 134 transition is a real nightmare.
Just be aware the 15 N on that rout is a long steep clime.

Dick

[DennisZ]

I have a small modification to one of the posts below. Here it is, I always go this way.

I-10 to
Hwy 210 N to
210 West to
I-5 N to
Hwy 126 west to
Hwy 101 N

Dennis

[OldPugVA]

Used to drive through there all the time. Hit the area very early or late. Just avoid the heavy travel times and you will be fine.

[Chuck 1935]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennisZ I have a small modification to one of the posts below. Here it is, I always go this way. I-10 to Hwy 210 N to 210 West to I-5 N to Hwy 126 west to Hwy 101 N Dennis

I STRONGLY SECOND THIS ROUTE. Just don't do it in the morning during rush hour.

[begete]

Thank you all very much! What's in Solvang?

[Land Barge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennisZ I have a small modification to one of the posts below. Here it is, I always go this way. I-10 to Hwy 210 N to 210 West to I-5 N to Hwy 126 west to Hwy 101 N Dennis

^ This is the way I go too..

If you can arrange for Sat or Sun morning it will be clear sailing. Avoid Friday's and anytime after noon until after 7-8pm. 101 at Santa Barbara similar times.
126 clear pretty much anytime. No speedy through Fillmore.
126 dumps you straight into 101 north, travel this in the daytime. North of Ventura to Santa Barbara is some of the best coastal scenery in my book.

[Rgpollard]

I have lived in SO Cal all my life, it's all about timing. I-10 through LA between 10AM-1PM, unless you want to leave PS about 3 or 4AM.