Downtown Berkeley/San Jose (Brokaw Road) Commute (Oakland, Fremont: home, rated)

[jven89]

Hi City-Data community,

What's the commute like going from Downtown Berkeley to San Jose M-F? I take the Brokaw Road exit off the 880.

I keep hearing that this stretch is going to be a pain, but I'd appreciate hearing your daily routines to get a better idea and maybe some helpful tips

I'm usually at work by 8 am sharp, and leave around 6 pm (I like to kill time at the gym). When would be a good time to leave in the morning and what time will I be home around (7:30-ish)?

[BayAreaHillbilly]

The worst part of that is going to be from 92 to 237. You can avoid the Maze if you're starting out from Downtown Berkeley, as I'm sure you are already aware, so that's not really a factor. Between DT Oakland and 92 it moves OK. After 237 it's not great but not as bad as South Fremont.

[darkeconomist]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

The worst part of that is going to be from 92 to 237. You can avoid the Maze if you're starting out from Downtown Berkeley, as I'm sure you are already aware, so that's not really a factor. Between DT Oakland and 92 it moves OK. After 237 it's not great but not as bad as South Fremont.

I'd agree and add that the real problem is the stretch between Mission Blvd and 237, as everyone coming from Pleasanton is crossing over from 680 and merging with 880 traffic.

[Adam S.]

@jven89

What have your experiences been on your DT Berkeley-Brokaw San Jose commute? I wanted to follow-up with you, because my commute is similar...

South Berkeley to South San Jose M-F.

I take the 52nd St on ramp to 980 then merge onto 880 then exit onto 101 S (a terrible exit) all the way down to 82.

This is around 52 miles, which in light traffic (no wrecks, before carpool lanes are in effect) should take about 1 hour. However, one wreck will add 15 minutes minimum, especially after the municipal workers arrive.

General route, generated for 9AM traffic: http://goo.gl/maps/TJbsd

Rant inside...

Spoiler

Regarding carpool lanes along this commute... I hate them.

1. Strict speed limit followers will drive <65mph across 3-4 lanes of faster traffic to the carpool lane, then reverse that process 500ft before their exit. This causes everyone else to break, and everyone behind them, and so on.

2. There are people who think the carpool lane is for faster traffic, and will cruise in Lane 2 at <65mph, which causes everyone to either risk jumping into and out of the carpool lane or passing on the right to get around them.

[sonarrat]

If you're going all the way to Blossom Hill Road, I encourage you to jog over to 680-S at Mission instead of staying on 880. The traffic is typically light on 680 until the King Rd exit.

[Adam S.]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

If you're going all the way to Blossom Hill Road, I encourage you to jog over to 680-S at Mission instead of staying on 880. The traffic is typically light on 680 until the King Rd exit.

Cool. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try that and report back.