Is the commute from Glendale to UCLA feasible for a student? (Pasadena: house, living in)

[casschu]

I will be enrolled in classes at UCLA for the next quarter and am thinking of living in Glendale in a family member's extra room. I prefer doing this instead of paying high prices for small spaces in Westwood, but I am not sure if the commute is feasible. I will have classes starting at 8am two days of the week and afternoon classes that start 12 noon two other days of the week. I don't mind sticking around campus or Westwood to wait out the evening commute, but need to make sure the morning/afternoon drive from Glendale to campus won't be overly frustrating.

I would appreciate any insight on what the commute is like, and any recommendations on best/worst/okay times to go to or leave campus, recommended routes, or side street alternatives to avoid traffic!

[HyperionGap]

So how long of a commute would be overly frustrating? When I used to drive from Pasadena to UCLA one summer I think I left at 6:30 to get to class at 8:00. This did not only include driving as the walk from the parking garage to my class was at least 15 minutes.

[ccm123]

When I attended UCLA in the 80's, I lived in Pasadena & South Pasadena. The traffic was tough getting through downtown, even back then. I would recommend leaving early, or schedule classes mid-day, when you won't be in the heaviest of traffic.

[nmnita]

I don't think it would be all that bad, as long as you do leave early and accept it isn't going to be a breeze. I agree, it beats paying high rents in Westwood. At least give it a try, if after one semester you find it is just too stressful you can rethink the situation.

[smokingGun]

totally doable, but for the morning class you'll need to be on the road by 6:30. And northbound traffic starts at 3~3:30 in the afternoon and doesn't let up until 8 at night. So plan accordingly if you've got a job in between classes in the Valley.

[Praline]

My daughter did it for two years and she also had an 8:00 a.m. class. Traffic is light that time of morning so you should be fine.

[disgruntled la native]

Very feasible, just pretty unpleasant, but life isn't always ideal is it!

[casschu]

So it seems like if I leave by 6:30 I should be fine. Any thoughts on how long I should give myself when starting classes at mid day (noon)?

[HyperionGap]

It's definitely lighter around then. Maybe 35 minutes + time to park/ walk to class? That's if you are ok with walking in 5 minutes late if there's a hiccup. If you MUST be on time every class then you obviously need to give yourself a buffer.

[HarryKerryJr]

The earlier you leave in the morning, the lighter the traffic. In fact, I would just leave the house extra early in the morning for light traffic and to avoid any accidents that will BLOW all chance of getting to UCLA in time, and arrive at UCLA very early, and use the time to have a good breakfast at the cafeteria and go over your studies and what not, then go to class. You will not be in any rush and all settled for the day with the most important meal of the day. You are guaranteed NOT to ever miss class that way. This is something we learn as we get older and wiser. Take my advice. In such a commute, get there early, and then relax with a coffee and breakfast.