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Old 02-06-2012, 11:23 PM
 
2 posts, read 7,636 times
Reputation: 10

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I'm contemplating moving to Berkeley and commuting M-F to Campbell and back for work. Is this insane? I've tried to do as much research as possible on commute times and can't find any real estimates with traffic. I'd need to be at work btw 8-9 and could leave btw 2-3p. I'd appreciate ANY responses from ppl who have made this commute. It would only be for 6 months. Is this doable? Will it take more than an hour per way?
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Old 02-06-2012, 11:28 PM
 
Location: Los Altos Hills, CA
36,628 posts, read 67,146,871 times
Reputation: 21164
That's a bad drive. I say 1.5 hrs-2 hrs each way during commute times, possibly better, possibly worse, maybe a lot worse. Just depends on road conditions which can vary, and that's what sucks the most--the fact that 880 is so unpredictable.
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Old 02-06-2012, 11:42 PM
 
Location: Oakland, CA
28,225 posts, read 36,694,357 times
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Yup that would be torture. And don't forget it is 50 miles each way. Do you want to do a 10 mile commute daily? Really?
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Old 02-06-2012, 11:48 PM
 
21 posts, read 55,339 times
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That's pain in the neck if we will do it on a daily basis.
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Old 02-07-2012, 02:38 PM
 
46 posts, read 184,587 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by esaesa000 View Post
I'm contemplating moving to Berkeley and commuting M-F to Campbell and back for work. Is this insane? I've tried to do as much research as possible on commute times and can't find any real estimates with traffic. I'd need to be at work btw 8-9 and could leave btw 2-3p. I'd appreciate ANY responses from ppl who have made this commute. It would only be for 6 months. Is this doable? Will it take more than an hour per way?
If your job is near any of the light rail stations in Campbell, you could take Amtrak from the University Ave station in Berkeley, then switch to light rail in San Jose. The total travel time is about 2 hours when you factor in getting to the station, walking to your job (assuming it's close to a LR station).

This is still undesirable, but the Amtrak Capitol Corridor trains are extremely posh, and in the early morning it's mostly commuters who just want to zonk out on the long ride to work. Unlike BART, these trains are oriented to the long distance traveller so they have things like reclining seats, curtains, tables, and free wi-fi. Last time I rode in the morning, they even turned off the lights so you can catch some Z's. Also unlike BART, the trains are extremely quiet. Oh, and there's a cafe car so you can get some light food, coffee, and they even serve some booze.

When you get to the San Jose station, the transfer to light rail is pretty painless, and the trains run frequently in the morning and evening so your wait would be less than 10 minutes. The ride to Campbell from the San Jose station is 8-10 mins. The trains also have free wi-fi.

Since the trains are nicer, you pay more than a typical BART ticket. You can get a 10 ride discount ticket for your San Jose to Berkeley trip for $110, and transfers to the light rail are free. You have to ask the conductor for a transfer, however. $110 is a lot but, it's hard to beat $11 for over 50 miles of travel.
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Old 02-07-2012, 03:12 PM
 
Location: Dimond, Oakland, CA
109 posts, read 299,053 times
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Also, a monthly pass from Berkeley is about $260, so this is an even greater savings than the 10 ride book.
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Old 02-07-2012, 03:44 PM
 
43 posts, read 106,996 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by esaesa000 View Post
I'm contemplating moving to Berkeley and commuting M-F to Campbell and back for work. Is this insane? I've tried to do as much research as possible on commute times and can't find any real estimates with traffic. I'd need to be at work btw 8-9 and could leave btw 2-3p. I'd appreciate ANY responses from ppl who have made this commute. It would only be for 6 months. Is this doable? Will it take more than an hour per way?
Yes, it would be insane. You will hate yourself if you put yourself in this position. There is no fast way from Berkeley to Campbell if you have to be there every morning between 8-9. That is prime commuting time. That morning commute alone could be 1.5-2 hours assuming no delays.

Berkeley is not very commuter friendly unless you can ride your bike or Bart to work. The only two freeways bordering Berkeley are 80 on the west (always a traffic jam) and 24/13 on the southeast (caldecott tunnel is always backed up as well). Also, the surface streets to get to the freeways are slow and congested if you if you do not live right by a freeway.
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Old 02-08-2012, 02:27 PM
 
12,823 posts, read 24,279,764 times
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You'd need to hit the road by 6AM without fail and either hit it on the return by 3PM or if you work long hours wait until 6 or 7PM.
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Old 02-08-2012, 03:05 PM
 
96 posts, read 298,835 times
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Via a coworker who did this for quite a while, traffic is not really better at 7PM. It gets better starting at about 8:00 PM.
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Old 02-08-2012, 06:51 PM
 
Location: Oakland, CA
28,225 posts, read 36,694,357 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 511pf View Post
Via a coworker who did this for quite a while, traffic is not really better at 7PM. It gets better starting at about 8:00 PM.
Every time I decided to leave anywhere south of Milpitas during the hour of 6 I regretted it. It ended up taking so long that I could have had dinner, done errands, or went to the outlets. Lose lose!
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