what is traffic like on 405 mondays at 10 a.m.???? (Los Angeles: estimate, congested)

[theoneandonly4324]

I will be traveling from Santa Barbara to Irvine and need to make it there by 12 p.m. for work, any suggestions on what time I should leave? I hope to be able to leave Santa Barbara at about 8 and hopefully the 405 will be clear by about 10?

[EscapeCalifornia]

The last time I saw the 405 actually clear was the day all the illegals stayed home. 4 hours sounds a bit optimistic for a week day.

[BRinSM]

i drove to santa barbara on a saturday afternoon a couple of months ago and it took 3 hours. during the late morning though, i think your four hour estimate should be ok.

[Charles]

Consider using the 5 instead. (101/134/5). You may find that transitioning from the 5 to the 110 to the 101 back to the 5 east of downtown may help out if there is a lot of congestion in that area - but around 1030ish when you are there, it shouldn't be that bad.
Check Sigalert.com Los Angeles Traffic Map for several days at different times between 9 and 12 and see where the congested spots are.
Check google maps > traffic >traffic at time and day for predicted or historical traffic information
For 20 or so minutes when heading east on the 101 approaching the 405, tune in to 1070AM and 980AM traffic reports to hear if anything significant has occurred that would give you information to adjust your route
Have an AAA LA CO and OC map with you.

That's exactly what I would do.

I'd say there is a 95% chance you would arrive before 12 if you left SB at 9AM. If you leave earlier, you probably won't beat as much traffic. If you leave later, then you increase the risk of being late. If this is critical, like a job interview, then maybe leave at 830 - you'd hit the Woodland Hills area around 930 and traffic should be mellowed out by then - and you'd still have 2.5 hours to go from WH to Irvine.