I5 from S. Orange County to Downtown LA (Anaheim, Irvine: living, price)

[richie894]

We are thinking of moving from West LA to South Orange County. I may have a job opporunity in Aliso Viejo.

My question is how is the drive from South OC to Downtown LA? It is about 36 miles on the 5 freeway. Is heading North in the morning and south in the evening an absolute nightmare? Any idea of time - 2 hours each way??

My wife wants to keep her job in LA until May (due to financial incentives).

Would any one recomend getting the train from Irvine to Downtown? I know it can be expensive.

[missionhome]

Yes, about 2-3 hours at rush hour from South OC to downtown LA. This would not be a good commute at all. There are three train stations close to Aliso Viejo. There is the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station by Avery Parkway (closest), Irvine Station, and San Juan Capistrano Station. Metrolink's website is down right now, but monthly passes are around $250-300 I think. Check their website, but it is an option that is much faster. You will have to pay that big price though.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by missionhome

Yes, about 2-3 hours at rush hour from South OC to downtown LA. This would not be a good commute at all. There are three train stations close to Aliso Viejo. There is the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station by Avery Parkway (closest), Irvine Station, and San Juan Capistrano Station. Metrolink's website is down right now, but monthly passes are around $250-300 I think. Check their website, but it is an option that is much faster. You will have to pay that big price though.

I'd say its well worth it. She'd probably save that much on gas (even in a 4 cylinder car), could get something productive done on the trip, and not be as stressed from the horrible commute.

[richie894]

thanks for your response. the problem with the train is having to park near the station in the morning- not sure how difficult or much that would be. also a bad walk from union station to her office, through horrible parts of downtown la.

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

I make that drive all the time. 2-3 hours is a stretch. It's between 45-60 minutes at night from downtown to the Orange Crush and can be a little longer in the morning. It's still not a fun drive but is rarely more than 90 minutes.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by LivingLikeAGradStudent

I make that drive all the time. 2-3 hours is a stretch. It's between 45-60 minutes at night from downtown to the Orange Crush and can be a little longer in the morning. It's still not a fun drive but is rarely more than 90 minutes.

Except the Orange Crush isn't in South OC. The drive from there to Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, etc isn't exactly short.

[missionhome]

The Orange Crush Interchange is in upper/central Orange County. You do not drive the same commute the OP will be doing. Anaheim is NOT exactly close to the Aliso Viejo area at rush hour. Its thirty-forty minutes to Anaheim in free flowing 65mph traffic, not to mention about an hour to LA in free flowing traffic from Anaheim. That is why it is about 2-3 in traffic.