5 North Morning Traffic (San Diego: transplants, construction, schools)

[Chapelo]

I commute from Ocean Beach to Sorrento Valley. Been doing this same commute every day since 2003.

It seems like the traffic has gotten even worse on the 5 North. Up until recently, within the last few months, the traffic would clear up around 9am, and it would be smooth sailing. It's now backed up as late as 11AM. CalTrans also restriped the onramp to the freeway from Sea World Drive to make it a merge lane, and that is always backed up.

I had originally thought it was because of the Farmer's Open, but the traffic has remained awful. It's never been this bad before. What gives?

[The Flying Dutchman]

There is a lot of construction both ongoing and planned for that area:
North Coast Corridor Home

[NYSD1995]

I feel like there are just more and more people on the road all the time

[Pedro2000]

The traffic on many roads is getting worse and worse. Some of it is construction, some of it is is just traffic. Some days there doesn't seem to be any traffic for whatever reason, but anybody that has to be on time, can't exactly leave 30 minutes before and be 15 minutes late either.

[hansonnosnah]

I could not commute here in California if I did not ride a motorcycle. Saves me hours and hours every week! It's worth learning to ride a motorcycle just for the savings in time and frustration (not to mention gas).

[bigdaddy5]

Those damn transplants.

[oside57]

cheap gas prices. less carpooling or train riding.

[eastcoastbias]

A few observations...If public transportation (Train, trolleys) offered more destinations people would use it. I gave it a 3 month try a few years back when I worked up in North County. It was time consuming and inconvenient and the savings didn't even come close to justifying its use.


It seems like traffic is greater midweek Tuesday-Thursdays with Fridays being an all day sporadic traffic flows. I noticed a big difference last Friday as many Schools and Govt. offices were closed.

I have every other Friday off and honestly I try to avoid getting in my car from 6-9am or 3pm-6pm. If you don't have to- don't go out in these times. Run your errands from 9am-3pm.


Simple Idea...I think more companies should offer flex starts encourage earlier arrival and hence earlier leave.

[hitman619]

Originally Posted by oside57

cheap gas prices. less carpooling or train riding.

Originally Posted by eastcoastbias

A few observations...If public transportation (Train, trolleys) offered more destinations people would use it. I gave it a 3 month try a few years back when I worked up in North County. It was time consuming and inconvenient and the savings didn't even come close to justifying its use.


It seems like traffic is greater midweek Tuesday-Thursdays with Fridays being an all day sporadic traffic flows. I noticed a big difference last Friday as many Schools and Govt. offices were closed.

I have every other Friday off and honestly I try to avoid getting in my car from 6-9am or 3pm-6pm. If you don't have to- don't go out in these times. Run your errands from 9am-3pm.


Simple Idea...I think more companies should offer flex starts encourage earlier arrival and hence earlier leave.

I think both of these post are valid reasons. Eastcoastbais hit the nail on the head with, The public transportation problem.
I've made many thread on this subject and traffic seems to get better when gas is near $4.00 a gallon

[RickRN]

I so agree with many of the points above. Traffic seems to be getting worse and worse on a daily basis. No doubt about it.

-If drivers would create LESS of a gap between the car in front of them, I think this would help improve traffic flow.

-I would love to know the statistics for the # of vehicles(cars and trucks)traveling between Mexico-L.A. and L.A.-Mexico on a daily basis. San Diego is like a "monkey in the middle" of sorts.

If the road surfaces were improved(paving, etc)I would be a little more forgiving of the traffic.