Traffic is bad on Hwy56 (San Diego, Carlsbad: school districts, college, to live in)

[donalduckmoore]

Since its opening back in 2004, the traffic of Hwy56 during rush hours is getting worst everyday. I commute to La Jolla from PQ to work. I am wondering what causes the traffic problem there. It is mostly affected at around Carmel country road. Today is Nov 24 and it is not holiday yet, but I have noticed the traffic became a lot more smooth than before. College students are still going to school, people are still working (supposedly) as usual. The only group of people, school children are not going to school starting today for a week, but they have their own school districts to go. So what is the cause of traffic problem on Hwy 56? Any ideas?!

[SD Observer]

Originally Posted by donalduckmoore

Since its opening back in 2004, the traffic of Hwy56 during rush hours is getting worst everyday. I commute to La Jolla from PQ to work. I am wondering what causes the traffic problem there. It is mostly affected at around Carmel country road. Today is Nov 24 and it is not holiday yet, but I have noticed the traffic became a lot more smooth than before. College students are still going to school, people are still working (supposedly) as usual. The only group of people, school children are not going to school starting today for a week, but they have their own school districts to go. So what is the cause of traffic problem on Hwy 56? Any ideas?!

Unfortunately traffic is BAD all over SD County, except maybe the far out East County towns like Alpine or Julian.

With the huge population in SD County that is to be expected.

[JakeInSoCal]

I don't mind traffic as long as its moving. But if its a stand still it sucks. But ya SD Observers right, Every highway is clogged in SD, LA, SF, etc... Its just all the people going to different places constantly.

[MiTaylor]

It's a 2 lane hwy with a lot of cars on the road! That would be the cause

Do they still have the signals on the onramp to 5 south in the morning? I used to live in Carmel Valley and it would take awhile to get to the 5 because of the 2 cars per red per lane during rush hour.

[Encinitan]

San Diego traffic is very regional. It depends on what direction you are going and at what time of day. For example, I live in North County and used to work in Sorrento Valley, which meant taking 5 south in the morning. Nightmare? Not if you get to work at 7 am. It was clear sailing down the 5 from Cardiff to the 805-5 split. Now, I work in Carlsbad, which means going north on the 5. Free sailing the whole way. So this widely held belief that traffic is bad all over San Diego all the time is a fallacy. Depends on where you live, where you work, and what time you travel. Now LA traffic is bad all the time, both directions.