Commute from Corona to Irvine without Toll Road (Santa Ana, Anaheim: how much, houses)

[Forever Blue]

I don't know the directions off the top of my head, but go to Mapquest.com & look up the directions. There is an option there where you can choose to AVOID TOLL ROADS, so there you go!

I travel from San Bernardino county to Newport Beach at times & definitely want to avoid the toll roads, otherwise, I'd be paying a total of $12 round trip in toll roads...yes, that was what it totaled when I last went to Newport Beach not so long ago. That happened that time because I forgot all about printing the no-toll-roads directions.

[ciowira]

Originally Posted by tlnvn

I tried the 91/55 route (I have to take 71 first), from Chino to Tustin and back... It definitely takes anywhere from 75min-105min each way in "normal" traffic. Don't bother, just take the 241/261 toll roads. I assure you the money spent is more than worth it - less stress, less road rage, more time with your family. Taking the 91 express lanes are a bit faster but more expensive. I use them on "treat" days haha.

Hi tlnvn,

What time do you hit 91 in the morning and hit 55 in the evening?
Is your schedule the same as mine, approximately?

[Ponypenny]

My husband did that hellish commute to Costa Mesa for 14 years. Even though he had a car than go in the car pool lane solo and can take the 3-plus lane on the 91 Express lanes, it would still take him at least 45 minutes on a good day. He would often go to the gym after work in Irvine and would not get home until around 7:30 pm. We finally moved down to Huntington Beach and now his commute is four miles to work. He is so much happier.

[Fontucky]

Another convert to Fontucky's First Law of Living in So Cal: "FOR OPTIMUM HAPPINESS AND MENTAL HEALTH, LIVE AS CLOSE TO YOUR JOB AS POSSIBLE."

[tlnvn]

If you enter the 91 off Green River at the time you suggested, I think it would take you about 15-20 minutes to get near the 55, where it will then bog down as everyone tries to get on the 55. After that, times will vary based on how many idiots piled into each other on the 55. The moral is that the 55 sucks at this time. The earlier you leave, the better off you will be, and it certainly is tolerable then. I just found it less stressful to not have to guess whether or not the 55 will suck a little or suck really bad on a given day. The 241/261 will prob save you 15-20 minutes in the morning, which actually feels a lot better than it sounds.

On the way home, if you get on the 55 near 5pm, it is not pretty, but once you pass a certain point a couple miles past the 5 freeway, it's not a headache. But the 91 east is the drizzlin ****s, especially on Friday, which will make you cry. If you take the 91 express lanes you will be thankful (your wallet not so much), it can vary, but I would say 35-45 mins from the 55/5 to Green River off the 91 is my guess. The first couple miles of 91E in non-express lanes are good, but it bottlenecks horribly (almost standstill) after that. If you choose to avoid the express lanes on this way home, you're looking at spending 1.5 hours at least on bad days (a little under on good days). I like to avoid worst case scenario at all costs to keep my sanity. The 241/261 is probably 10 minutes slower than the 91 express lanes route, but will save you some money. You also have to cheat into the lanes when it bottlenecks from 241 into the 91 (cheat or be cheated, your choice).

Again, I've tried both routes (55 to 91, and 91/241/261) and I would recommend the 241/261 if you can afford it.

If I sound a little disgruntled it's because I have felt this pain and would not wish it upon others. I hope this information helps you more than it scares you. Just experiment and see what works best for you. Ultimately I chose to sleep in a little more and pay a little more to use the tolls both ways because that works for me. Originally I had wanted to just take the tolls on the way home (why am I rushing to get to work?) but it really did give me more relaxation to not be stuck in morning traffic.

[ciowira]

Thank you everybody!

I will surely try every method available ^^

[Dunbar42]

Originally Posted by tlnvn

Again, I've tried both routes (55 to 91, and 91/241/261) and I would recommend the 241/261 if you can afford it.

Agreed, if you're going to sign yourself up for this commute spend the $200 a month (or whatever it costs) to take the toll roads / express lanes. It's not worth it to spend an extra hour per day commuting to save $10 in tolls.

[ciowira]

Yeah, I figured so as well...Thanks for everything guys!

Also, I wonder about the traffic of 15-N in the morning and 15-S in the evening. Anybody can shed some light?
Thanks!

[bionictony]

jam packed!

[Hannican]

To avoid traffic, just push your schedule earlier.

I do the same distance (almost exactly), but I leave at 4:30 am and 2:00 pm, and it's not that bad. Most days I don't have to take the toll road, and it's about 45 mins in the morning, 60 mins in the afternoon.

I personally cannot stand sitting in traffic, so I couldn't do it any other way, but it's grueling to work these hours.

Good luck.