Traffic on I-5 from Encinitas to San Diego (Los Angeles, Oceanside: home, construction)

[cunparis]

I'm curious about the traffic on I-5 between Encinitas & San Diego. Mapquest says 35 mins but I'm sure that's without traffic. I'd like to know what hours is "rush hour" and how long would it take?

Thanks

[jksouthbay88]

Maybe 25 mins.Traffic about 45,an hour plus.The I-5 in the N.County is known for crazy amounts of traffic jams.And don't get me counted on "Southbound Saturdays" and "Northbound Sundays" in the summer.Uggghhhh!!!!!!!!!!

[Encinitan]

The only real issues on this commute (barring freak traffic accidents and construction) are:
1) Weekday morning rush hour (7:30 to 9 am or so) it will be slow, not full on bumper to bumper stopped, but definitely stop and go, cruising along at 20 mph then stopping, then going 40 for a bit, from about Poinsettia Drive in south Carlsbad to about Via de la Valle in Del Mar (about 8 miles, sometimes more, sometimes less).
2) Weeknight commute home (4 to 6 pm approx) it will be slow northbound from about the 5-805 merge all the way past the Del Mar Fairgrounds, maybe to Lomas Santa Fe before it lets up. Again, could be better, could be worse.
3) Summers. The Fair from mid-June to July 5 then the races from mid to late July through Labor Day mess with the commute big time. This is when it can be bumper to bumper, stopped, from Oceanside to Del Mar, all the way through Encinitas.
I'm lucky to work in Carlsbad (Palomar Airport area) so not only do I go against the commute, I don't even use the freeway. I used to work in Sorrento Valley and I'd leave early, like 6:30 am, to avoid the southbound traffic.

[cunparis]

Originally Posted by Encinitan

The only real issues on this commute (barring freak traffic accidents and construction) are:
1) Weekday morning rush hour (7:30 to 9 am or so) it will be slow, not full on bumper to bumper stopped, but definitely stop and go, cruising along at 20 mph then stopping, then going 40 for a bit, from about Poinsettia Drive in south Carlsbad to about Via de la Valle in Del Mar (about 8 miles, sometimes more, sometimes less).
2) Weeknight commute home (4 to 6 pm approx) it will be slow northbound from about the 5-805 merge all the way past the Del Mar Fairgrounds, maybe to Lomas Santa Fe before it lets up. Again, could be better, could be worse.
3) Summers. The Fair from mid-June to July 5 then the races from mid to late July through Labor Day mess with the commute big time. This is when it can be bumper to bumper, stopped, from Oceanside to Del Mar, all the way through Encinitas.
I'm lucky to work in Carlsbad (Palomar Airport area) so not only do I go against the commute, I don't even use the freeway. I used to work in Sorrento Valley and I'd leave early, like 6:30 am, to avoid the southbound traffic.

Thanks for the info. I'm both researching potential living areas and also we're going to stay there for a 9 days in February to check it out. If our kids go to a bilingual French school, it's in La Jolla so we'd like to live around the coast not too far from the school but it seems that's where the traffic is. Perhaps you may have another suggestion? We'll be on a budget so some place away from the coast would be ok if it's not too far away.

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by cunparis

Thanks for the info. I'm both researching potential living areas and also we're going to stay there for a 9 days in February to check it out. If our kids go to a bilingual French school, it's in La Jolla so we'd like to live around the coast not too far from the school but it seems that's where the traffic is. Perhaps you may have another suggestion? We'll be on a budget so some place away from the coast would be ok if it's not too far away.

For what it's worth, I see the bus from the French American School in Encinitas in the mornings. So apparently they have some sort of transportation to and from campus from this area. Living inland would definitely be cheaper. Generally speaking, living near the coast and being on a budget don't fit well. But you could live inland and still be relatively close to La Jolla by living in areas like Claremont, University City, and those sections of town. I think your fact-finding trip in February will help you nail down what you want and what you can afford. Good luck to you.

[loveautumn]

Well, to be honest, the traffic is everywhere. There are 6 main arteries here, the 5, 15, 805 (north/south) and the 8/78 (east to west) and the new 56 (east/west). Getting in and out of LaJolla (if this school is truly in La Jolla proper) is difficult...lots of places advertise themselves as being "La Jolla" when they really aren't in LJ boundaries. But LJ to Encinitas isn't that far.

Anyway, alot depends on the time you leave. I live in Encinitas and I could leave at 6:45 am and at 7 am and have two completely different commute experiences. It's not really that bad though, not like OC, LA or DC. In the summer, weekends are actually worse than weekdays because everybody files down here from OC and LA. Sometimes Fridays are traffic light, sometimes traffic nightmare. There really isn't a whole lot of rhyme or reason to it and I've been here over 30 years.

The one commute I think is really bad is the 805 going south at rush hour, and the 8 going east. To me that traffic is much worse than north county.

I think it just best to accept that there is going to be traffic everywhere no matter what time or what day and live where you can afford and in the area that is right for you.

[cruitr]

"Getting in and out of LaJolla (if this school is truly in La Jolla proper) is difficult"

The French American School is on Soledad Mtn Rd. Not far from the cross.

[cunparis]

Originally Posted by cruitr

"Getting in and out of LaJolla (if this school is truly in La Jolla proper) is difficult"

The French American School is on Soledad Mtn Rd. Not far from the cross.

Is that considered in la jolla?

What about the traffic to LA? I've heard it can take anywhere from 2-4+ hours. Outside of rush hour is the traffic really bad? I wouldn't mind visiting LA for a day while we're visiting San Diego.

[cruitr]

Yes, Soledad Mountain is one of the highest elevations in La Jolla. Beautiful views from the top but a bit more time will be needed to get to I-5.

This memorial is very close to the school: Mount Soledad Memorial Association

La Jolla to Los Angeles is about 2-3 hrs by car depending on traffic and your exact destination.

[AVgoingtoSD]

How about traffic from Poway-RB-RP area to Downtown? How long would that take and what would be the best route and time to leave/come back?