Driving From Alameda To San Jose (Oakland, Fremont: home, live in, safe)

[cannoli38]

I live in Alameda and drive to San Jose for work. The morning drive on the 880 is pretty bad. I am looking for an alternative route. How is the traffic on the 680 South in the morning? I'm considering taking the 580 East to the 680. Any good ideas would be appreciated.

thanks.

[fizbin]

580-680-SJ is my preferred route, but I only go to SJ on weekends. Takes an hour from the Temescal area.

[sonarrat]

I'm sorry, but 680 is not going to be any better. You can try it, but it's going to take much longer and you'll be sitting in just as much stop and go getting over the Sunol Grade and through Fremont. Move closer.

[cannoli38]

Thanks Sonarrat,

I don't really want to move further south so I guess I will stick with the 880. I hear that a bullet train will be built in a year or so linking northern california with southern california. Just kidding.

[sonarrat]

Now that would be a heck of a commute!

Regarding areas further south, I can understand what you mean.. if you're really in love with Alameda, there's no substitute for it. Foster City is a bit artificial by comparison, and the commute would still not be awesome. There is a train that goes from Oakland to San Jose, called the Capitol Corridor, which might help you out, but you have to get through the tube first to hook up to it.

[krudmonk]

Backtracking to 680? Sorry, this strikes me as insane.

[NorCal Dude]

That commute is terrible. 680 Will be backed up in pleasanton, sunol, and fremont and 880 is horrible. Id suggest looking into the capitol corridor train or moving closer to san jose.

[Jarkatmu]

Like NorCal Dude said, maybe consider Amtrak's Capitol Corridor? There's a station at Jack London Square. The train takes about an hour from there into downtown San Jose. There's also a stop near the Great America theme park with free connection to VTA light rail if you work in the North San Jose tech area. The trains are very nice with comfortable seats, power outlets at every seat, and food service. You can bring your bike onboard as well. They offer discounted 10-ride tickets as well as monthly passes if you use the service frequently. The train probably won't save you any commute time, but you can watch a movie, read a book, or catch up on work all while moving. Something you can't do while driving. More info here:

CCJPA ::

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by cannoli38

I live in Alameda and drive to San Jose for work. The morning drive on the 880 is pretty bad. I am looking for an alternative route. How is the traffic on the 680 South in the morning? I'm considering taking the 580 East to the 680. Any good ideas would be appreciated.

thanks.

Uggh. The best thing to do would be to move closer. I live in SJ and understand why you like Alameda. But really, you won't be spending much time at home with that horrendous commute, which will only get worse if/when the economy improves. Not to mention it's really not safe to be driving all those miles day in and day out.

I know you don't want to hear all this, but I just had to say it anyway.

[cannoli38]

The train sounds like an interesting idea. Or I just might continue the 880 route. The uneven pavement which slowed things down close to SJ should be repaired by now so that will help a little.
I'm not in love with Alameda in particular but prefer the East Bay in general. Actually Berkeley might be where I end up which would add more to the drive to SJ. That's true about the risks of driving every day. I was rear-ended and the ******* didn't pull over. That kind of pissed me off. No damage though.