Commute from Lafayette/Walnut Creek to Vacaville (Sacramento, Fairfield: school district, live in)

[m8cme]

Hello everyone: I may have a job opportunity in Vacaville, and was wondering what the commute is like from Lafayette/Walnut Creek to Vacaville. I recognize it is a long commute (about 44 miles according to google maps) but I have a young growing family and do not want to give up the superior schools in the aforementioned areas. Aside from the long distance, is the commute doable? I would be leaving at around 6am and returning around 3-3:30pm. Thanks for any input.

[llowllevellowll]

That's a long drive (and an annoying $5 toll every day), but the good news is you will have 0 traffic to contend with (reverse commute).

[jade408]

You should investigate Davis instead, it is closer to Vacaville and has great schools.

[m8cme]

thanks for the feedback.

[chinamen]

I drive 50 miles one way to work 4 days a week. In my opinion, 44 miles is not too bad in my opinion.

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by m8cme

Hello everyone: I may have a job opportunity in Vacaville, and was wondering what the commute is like from Lafayette/Walnut Creek to Vacaville. I recognize it is a long commute (about 44 miles according to google maps) but I have a young growing family and do not want to give up the superior schools in the aforementioned areas. Aside from the long distance, is the commute doable? I would be leaving at around 6am and returning around 3-3:30pm. Thanks for any input.

Although I don't personally commute, I'm familiar with the route. I do think you'd be alright especially since you're leaving so early. The bridge traffic seems to flow very smoothly going this way, particularly if you have a Fasttrak.

You'll be doing the reverse commute so I don't think you'll be hitting traffic until you get closer to Vacaville/Fairfield border (all the folks from this area going to Sacramento). I'm thinking it'd take around 35-45 minutes--not that bad, imo.

On the flip side, the Vacaville schools are pretty good (not much of a difference in quality than Walnut Creek schools) and Vacaville isn't a horrible place either if you feel that you must move (I personally know a few teachers that work for this school district).

[m8cme]

Again, thanks for the input. Are there a lot of speed traps in the area? and what is the speed limit? thanks.

[Zachj7]

I hope it's a good job with gas prices on the ride along with 5 dollar toll every day. There are sometimes speedtraps on the last stretch of 680 before it hits 80. Get a radar detector. You have to ask yourself if that distance is worth it. I believe it is 70 on the rest of 680 after the bridge, then back to 65 on 680, though someone might want to confirm that...

[m8cme]

Zachj7: It is. Thanks for the comments.

[damon389]

I live in Lafayette, and while I don't commute to Vacaville I often have to go to Napa for work. Virtually no traffic. True, there's a $5 toll that will obviously add up, plus gas. I'm sure Vacaville/Davis have decent schools, but Lafayette's are one of the tops in the state. That's not subjective, that's proven by test scores.

The other thing to think about... Look at what housing has done in Vacaville and/or Davis vs. Lafayette. All have lost their value since the 2007 peak, but my guess is Lafayette has held up far better than the other cities. Also, you can have easy access to SF, just in case you end up looking for another job in the future.

By biased perspective