Driving from San Diego

[junebug8]

We are booked on a 3-day cruise out of Long Beach in late June. We are thinking of driving to San Diego the day before the cruise and then driving up to Long Beach and parking in the garage. Does anyone have an idea of how long it will take to drive from SD to LB? I'm thinking two hours??

[SadieN]

At least two hours, I'd plan on four to allow for SigAlerts.

 

For either ship you'll be hitting traffic

[Ramona760]

Traffic can be unpredictable. Leave 3 hrs before you want to board. We usually leave around 11 to be comfortable.

[KeepCalmBearOn]

We are booked on a 3-day cruise out of Long Beach in late June. We are thinking of driving to San Diego the day before the cruise and then driving up to Long Beach and parking in the garage. Does anyone have an idea of how long it will take to drive from SD to LB? I'm thinking two hours??

 

It depends on the time of day and day of the week.

 

M-F the commuter traffic is murder northbound 7AM to 9AM-9:30ish until you are clear of of Sorrento Valley area. It slows again around Carlsbad and then when you get to San Clemente.

 

It slows again approaching the "El Toro Y" (405 - 5 split).

 

If it is bad you can use the 73 Toll Road to jump around the jam at the El Toro Y. There are no toll booths so you have to pay online 5 days in advance or 5 days after.

 

https://www.thetollroads.com/violation/oneTimeToll.do

 

Once you get to the 405 near John Wayne Airport (73/405 junction) you can use car pool lanes.

 

SD to Long Beach port should be about 2 hours, but can be 4 the wrong day, wrong time and one accident.

 

I'd leave as early as possible and then eat breakfast (Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles?) in LB and not stress over being late by leaving too late.

[Donray]

Week end traffic can be worse than week day traffic. Last week it took 3 hours to get from San Clemente to Oceanside 15 miles. An accident in the piece of I5 that run though Camp Pendleton is bad. There are NO alternative routes. There is a Boarder check point in this area that if open (stopping traffic) can cause a big delay.

 

I would plan a minimum of four hours for your trip.

Edited February 24, 2016 by Donray