I-8 vs I-10, Phoenix to San Diego (North County) (Los Angeles: living, move to)

[high_plains_drifter]

Hi,

I am looking at a drive out west possibly, taking I-10, but Google maps is telling me to take I-8 south of Phoenix vs I-10, my destination is Carlsbad. What would be the best road to take? I'll be travelling with a Dog, and I read I-8 has border checkpoints and it causes issues and delays, it looks like 5 to 6 hours from Phoenix which isn't too bad, but I'm not sure yet if I'll miss rush hour traffic?

[blueskywalker]

Originally Posted by high_plains_drifter

Hi,

I am looking at a drive out west possibly, taking I-10, but Google maps is telling me to take I-8 south of Phoenix vs I-10, my destination is Carlsbad. What would be the best road to take? I'll be travelling with a Dog, and I read I-8 has border checkpoints and it causes issues and delays, it looks like 5 to 6 hours from Phoenix which isn't too bad, but I'm not sure yet if I'll miss rush hour traffic?

Where are you starting from?
OOops. I see that you're from Florida so my suggestion to take I 40 (my preferred coast to coast route) doesn't make much sense. Pardon me.

[high_plains_drifter]

Originally Posted by blueskywalker

Where are you starting from?

Fort Lauderdale

[blueskywalker]

Originally Posted by high_plains_drifter

Fort Lauderdale

Someone will know. And also, you might want to post your question on the Arizona forum as well.

//www.city-data.com/forum/arizona/

[MIKEETC]

Originally Posted by high_plains_drifter

Hi,

I am looking at a drive out west possibly, taking I-10, but Google maps is telling me to take I-8 south of Phoenix vs I-10, my destination is Carlsbad. What would be the best road to take? I'll be travelling with a Dog, and I read I-8 has border checkpoints and it causes issues and delays, it looks like 5 to 6 hours from Phoenix which isn't too bad, but I'm not sure yet if I'll miss rush hour traffic?

I-8, then north on I-5.

[starting on I-10, of course]

[futbol]

The I-8 border checkpoints are not a big deal -- not much delay. They will often have dogs sniffing for drugs and will observe for human smuggling. Most vehicles are slowly waved through.

If you have a high-profile vehicle (van, trailer, etc.) you may want to look out for wind advisories. Wind gusts can be very strong over the 4000'+ section where I-8 goes through the mountains. If taken in the winter months you will also need to watch out for ice/snow (yes, in San Diego County on I-8). Check San Diego weather. They normally issue a general warning during these conditions.

If you go I-10 you will have an easier drive if you avoid going near Los Angeles. You might want to cut south on I-215/I-15 or earlier.

I took Hwy 78 to Arizona several weeks ago. It is a scenic route through the desert, but sparsely traveled with few places to fuel up. I would not recommend it to anyone new to the area.

Personally, I'd recommend I-8. Once you get into the city there are options other than going I-8 to I-5 north. The people in the San Diego sub-forum can help you with this stretch of road.

[RosieSD]

The Border Checkpoints are no big deal. The traffic on 10 when you hit Riverside County and into LA will slow you down more than the two checkpoints on 8.

Take 10 to 8 then depending on where you will be living, go north on either 5 or 15. That's the route we took when we move to San Diego from Mississippi years ago. (8 has some beautiful scenery once you get to the San Diego County line, by the way)

Trust me, you will get used to the border checkpoints in San Diego & California pretty quickly (did you know there's a border patrol check point just north of Carlsbad on the 5?).

As I said, they are usually no big deal and move quickly. You're not who they're "checking" for.

[sacreole]

I would suggest taking I-8 from the junction with I-10 in Case Grande AZ. As I-8 takes you into San Diego, you can take the I-5 north into Carlsbad. The border checkpoints are hit or miss. There's one westbound and one eastbound checkpoint between San Diego and Yuma.

[high_plains_drifter]

Thanks to all, looks like I-8 it will be.

[Chelito23]

FYI you will have border checkpoints in the 10 in in New Mexico passing Las Cruces going west. No big deal though. Your other checkpoint would be on the 8 westbound approaching San Diego. They tend to back up on before holiday weekends and especially in the summer when the AZ residents flee the desert heat for the weekend. At the most you would have a 10 minute delay.