Best commute from Yorba Linda to Irvine (Santa Ana, Orange: neighborhoods, college)

[mbk21]

Hi Everyone,
I'm going to be starting college at UCI in the fall and wanted to know if there is a good route to take to get to UCI. I know that the freeway's will be packed, but I just wanted to know if there are any alternative routes (like getting off at an exit on the 55 and taking the roads) or just taking the roads period.
BTW, I live near Yorba Linda Blvd./Lakeview/Imperial. I'm going to be stressed out enough with college life, so I don't want a commute that is too stressful too, I know sounds impossible, lol

Thanks in advance.

[mbk21]

Also, I'm willing to take the train to Irvine, if anyone has any insight into that it would be most helpful as well.

Thanks

[missionhome]

If you can afford it, the 241 toll road (never has traffic, NEVER) runs from Yorba Linda right into Irvine. It is very fast and is an alternative to the freeway. It's something like $3 each way I think.

[Lardog]

^^^ this is probably your best option...the only problem is that it can get crowded toward the end when it turns into Jamboree.

Train is probably not a viable option (from a time perspective) since it's a good 20 to 30 minutes from the train station (the one on Barranca in the Spectrum area, maybe a bit less from the station in Tustin but I don't know which one you'd end up at) to UCI.

[gaidensensei]

Try to incorporate Harvard Ave. as often as possible on the way to UCI, and if possible back onto the freeway. I used it for two years and never had any frustration with it. Jamboree is where it always gets packed, especially during rush hour after work. Unless all this has changed within the recent year, I would imagine that it's still the same.

The 241 is definitely going to be smooth sailing from up there down on. I agree with the posters above. I've rode the 241 quite a few times and have to say, it's almost like riding on a new highway that few know about. Only downside is the fee. I think there's a yearly pass you could go for on those.

The 55 is crowded on rush hour. If you're strapped on budget, like most other colleagues, you'll probably end up taking this down to Irvine.

[mbk21]

Thanks for the help you guys. Well, I'm on a budget, but I might try to ask some family members for some help regarding the toll road. But the fact that Jamboree gets crowded is what concerns me, is it terribly bad?

gaidensensei, could you give me an example of a way to get to UCI using Harvard Ave from Yorba Linda?

Thanks again

[missionhome]

mbk: To use the tollroads, get "Fast Track." This is an automated transponder that you put in the corner of your vehicle's windshield. Instead of stopping at the tollbooths, you go in the lanes to the left and just drive through and it senses your transponder to automatically bill you. The best part is that it saves you 75 cents on your route because "Fast Track" users get a discount from paying cash at the booths.

*FT=with Fast Track
Your route: 241 Tollroad (go through Windy Ridge Toll-$2.25 FT, or $2.75)
Then change to the 261 Tollroad to Irvine (go through Irvine Ranch Toll- $1.25 FT, or $1.75). The 261 will change into Jamboree Road at Baranca Parkway (first stop light on whole route). Go left on Baranca Parkway and then make your first right on Harvard. Stay on Harvard until you run into UCI. The commute is about 30 minutes and there will be NO traffic. Since you are turning off Jamboree and cutting over to Harvard (which doesn't lead to the morning rush to the freeway), you will bypass Jamboree's traffic (which isn't that bad in the first place).
That is your fastest bet, but it does cost money.

Your second question- Harvard does not go to Yorba Linda. This is a local street in Irvine that ends in Irvine. The farthest you can go on Harvard is to north east Irvine from UCI, leaving you very far from Yorba Linda.

Another alternative, that is free.- Go south on Imperial, cross over the 91 freeway. Road name changes to Cannon Street. Continue south, road name then changes to Crawford Canyon Road. Continue south. Then turn right (southwest) on Newport Avenue. Then left on Irvine Blvd. Then right on Jamboree. Follow to Baranca. Turn left on Baranaca, then right on Harvard. Follow to UCI. Drive time-about 45 minutes all on city streets.

Other option- Just take the freeways and get ready to sit in traffic. You will still be moving and making some progress and it may even outpace the city street sometimes.

[mbk21]

Thanks for the helpful response, mission.
The Toll Road is probably going to end up being a bit expensive for me so I'm going to stick with the route that goes through Orange for now. How is Irvine Blvd. during the morning? Also, I've heard of a road called Red Hill, how is that during the morning?

[missionhome]

Red Hill is just parallel to Newport Avenue and goes in the same direction. Crawford Canyon dead ends at Newport Avenue and you go west on Newport for only about a mile, so it doesn't save much time to cut over one block to Red Hill, just to turn left on Irvine Blvd.
On Imperial (including name changes) to Newport Ave- After crossing the 91 freeway, there are only 15 stoplights (this is the longest stretch), the majority being small neighborhoods that won't keep your light red long. Only three of those lights are major cross streets.
On Newport Ave.- five stop light to Irvine Blvd, should be synchronized for morning commute.
Irvine Blvd- Five stop lights until Jamboree, traffic isn't as bad on this street.
Jamboree- Seven stoplights until Barranca.

[Texasturkey]

Originally Posted by mbk21

Also, I'm willing to take the train to Irvine, if anyone has any insight into that it would be most helpful as well.

Thanks

Is moving an option? You can move to Irvine. You can also move to a closer location like Santa Ana
or Costa Mesa.