Best of time to drive from Bay Area to SD..

[Syringer]

Back when I was in college I'd routinely drive from the bay to LA, and found that if I left around 10am or so, I could be on my way post bay area traffic, and arrive right before LA traffic started--or got unbearable. There have been other times where I'd leave at 9-10pm and the 4 1/2 - 5 hours would just zoom on by.

However going down to SD adds about 130 more miles or so, so I'd probably be going through the thick of traffic leaving at 10am, and 8-9 would be a bit too early..and leaving in the middle of the night is fine when you're only staying up for 5 hours, but those extra 2 hours might take its toll on me pretty badly..

What would be the optimal time then to speed through the 5 then? I don't mind long drives so much--though college was a different story--but I really really hate sitting in traffic, especially after having been in the car all day long..

 

[MotionMan]

The Bay Area, the Los Angeles area and the OC are all gridlock most of the time. I doubt you will miss traffic in all three on one days drive.

MotionMan

 

[d33pt]

just start driving around 11am-noon and when you get to LA, it will be around dinner time. stop somewhere for dinner and after that traffic should die down for SD. i do this trip a couple of times a year.

 

[BoomerD]

We've made the drive from central Kahleeforneeya to San Diego many times. We usually leave here about 4 pm, which puts us through Fresno toward the end of their rush hour, and by the time we're in LA/OC, traffic just whizzes right along. Puts into San Diego between 11 and midnight.