"Reverse" Commute? - Mission Viejo to Corona (Riverside: living in, price)

[AKgirlinCA]

Hello all,

My husband will be commuting from Mission Viejo to Corona (Serfas Club exit) M-F normal work hours (8-5ish). We will NOT be using the toll roads, so the route will be the 5 to the 55 to the 91. We are under the impression that this will be a "reverse" commute thus traffic won't be AS bad (I'm sure it will still suck though). Can anyone provide any insight/opinions?
Thanks!

[Charles]

Check Sigalert.com - Personalized Traffic Reports during the time he will be commuting.

Also, check google maps traffic, traffic at time and day.

[missionhome]

It is not a reverse commute until you get through Irvine. Many (probably most) residents of South Orange County work north of the El Toro Y (405/5 interchange). There will be traffic through Irvine and the El Toro Y in the morning and evening on I-5.

Once you reach the 55 freeway, you are doing a reverse commute heading out of Irvine in the morning and towards Irvine in the evening. You will also get through the OC/Riverside County border fine as this is a reverse commute area for you.

I estimate 45 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes for this commute, not using toll roads. Using tollroads, 35 minutes.

[AKgirlinCA]

Thanks! Especially to missionhome, so helpful as always

[SoCalBear]

Agree with missionhome's estimates, weighing more towards the hour plus. Summer traffic is lighter but, whenever there's an accident, double the time. Toll road is usually a guaranteed 30-35 minutes from Ladera to Serfas and vice versa. Driven it many times and the toll road is worth every penny.

[AKgirlinCA]

True....it's just hard to stomach a monthly toll bill of $140+ per month!! Suppose we may have to as this commute is not a "forever" thing...soon I will also be commuting from Mission Viejo to Fountain Valley. *this too shall pass,this too shall pass*

[jkanderson521]

AKgirl, I understand your frustration with the Toll Road, we lived in RSM, then Ladera; it is pricey but worth taking the toll road. You will save at least 22-30 hours a month, that factors out to $5-6/hr. Trust me, your time is worth more than that. People scrimp and save on so many other things but squander time. It is worth the investment, just part of living in CA. just another reason we moved to beautiful CO.

Although, when you're feeling down, remember, South OC is definately one of the best places to live in CA. And you are commuting to Corona, rather than living there, just smile every time you cross the Windy Ridge Toll plaza and be thankful you don't have to live in the IE.

[california4ever]

Though traffic will not be too horrible, I would still consider using the toll roads because the toll roads are hassle free and will be more relaxing rather than frusturating, plus, the commute on the toll roads is very beautiful and more fuel efficient.