Los Altos Hills -> NASA Moffett Field commute (El Monte: rental, neighborhood)

[Tanny_25]

I recently relocated to the area, and am working at NASA. I'm considering a rental near Foothill DeAnza College. On Google Maps, this gives me 3 possible routes:

1) Via I-280 S and CA-85 N
15 min (11.1 miles)

2) Via CA-85 N
19 min (10.0 miles)

3) Via El Monte Rd
21 min (7.2 miles)

Are these all going to drive me insane, and should I keep looking for something closer? Which route would you recommend the most (and the least)? My hours are 9:00am-5:30pm. I can go earlier, but that would take added effort, as I'm not a morning person.

The rental is a good rate for the unit size (and my government salary), and in a very safe, quiet neighborhood, so I'm really leaning towards it. I'm also tired of looking for housing, because it's so depressing to see what I cannot afford. But if this translates into a migraine-inducing commute, I will.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Many SV workers would kill for a commute like yours.

#1 is going to be awful, 85N just north of the I-280 interchange is a parking lot in the morning.

I'm going to guess that #3 will be a little better than #2, but I haven't had a commute on those roads in those locations in almost 20 years.

[sonarrat]

I had an afternoon job in Los Altos for 9 years. El Monte Road has one really bad light at Foothill Expressway; it can take 10 minutes to get through it going towards Foothill College. I always took 237, then Cuesta to Main Street and rarely had any delays to speak of.

[Chuck5000]

use maps.google.com,. then go to "directions" then plug in your origin and destination and select times. it's a great tool, pretty accurate.

[SportyandMisty]

Reality check: 25 minutes to 45 minutes each way. Sorry.

[Wintermomma]

If you go across on streets it's probably 25 min, not bad. I'd avoid the freeways if you can't take the carpool lane.