Give me a rundown of the Nightmare Traffic details (Anaheim: renting, houses)

[jtravel]

Can someone give me a quick rundown of the worst traffic times/roads in OC?

What roads/times are absolutely "must avoid"... which ones are "try to avoid" etc...

Thanks in advance!

[EscapeCalifornia]

They all suck in one direction or the other, depending on time of day.

Roads coming from the IE are packed in the morning. That's the 91 west, 55 south, and 57 south. Same goes for the 405 south. Opposite directions are packed at night. Then there's interchanges like the 405S to 55N or 22E to 57N that due to their design are parking lots at 1pm.

Most freeways are pretty clear between 10am and 2pm. Some just seem to be permanently packed, like the 91 through the canyon.

[Fontucky]

5 South through South OC is a nightmare on Friday afternoons/evenings. Reverse that on Sundays or Mondays of 3-day holidays.

[ferretkona]

One rule of thumb.
If you buy in a area because you think you get more for your money it means a long time on the road.
I have seen so many people buy in Hemet, Elsinore, Corona, etc. All three hour drives home from work.

[jtravel]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

They all suck in one direction or the other, depending on time of day.

Roads coming from the IE are packed in the morning. That's the 91 west, 55 south, and 57 south. Same goes for the 405 south. Opposite directions are packed at night. Then there's interchanges like the 405S to 55N or 22E to 57N that due to their design are parking lots at 1pm.

Most freeways are pretty clear between 10am and 2pm. Some just seem to be permanently packed, like the 91 through the canyon.

Thanks for the great info (and to others too!).

What's the "IE"?

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by jtravel

What's the "IE"?

Inland Empire: Riverside and San Bernardino counties. That is, the inland areas with cheaper houses that people commute 4 hour a day from to their jobs in LA or OC.

[jtravel]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Inland Empire: Riverside and San Bernardino counties. That is, the inland areas with cheaper houses that people commute 4 hour a day from to their jobs in LA or OC.

Gotcha. Thanks!

[LagunaMom]

I hate Jamboree.

[woodrough]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

They all suck in one direction or the other, depending on time of day.

Except the toll roads. I drive the 241 every day, with a pretty wildly varying schedule (meaning I've driven it at most times of day) and I've never seen any congestion. I'm sure if there's an accident it would cause a problem, but it's not routine. I don't drive the 73 nearly as often, but I have driven it many times and also haven't seen any congestion there. If it works for your commute (and you don't mind the cost - I think it's more than worth it), it's a great way to avoid some traffic.

[mzem]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Inland Empire: Riverside and San Bernardino counties. That is, the inland areas with cheaper houses that people commute 4 hour a day from to their jobs in LA or OC.

Yikes! I'm assuming you're talking about the extremes, Riverside to LA? My wife and I relocated recently and are renting a home in Irvine. We figured that once we get to know the area and the traffice patterns, we'll look for a place to buy in 12-18 months. I work in Anaheim (eastern) and she works in Irvine off the Costa Mesa Fwy and Macarthur. What are yours or anyone else thoughts on Anaheim Hills and Corona for rush hour traffic?