mjcohen

I am taking a trip to LA next Friday(4/19) and I was wondering what time the traffic starts getting bad on the 101 S from Palo Alto and any points south.

I am trying to figure out what time to leave, the thing is I don't want to leave work any earlier than I have to.

Anyone have any experience driving South from Palo Alto on Fridays????

I've only been here a little over a month and don't know these traffic patters yet.

Thanks.

The Unabageler

If I were you, I'd be southbound going thru san jose by 3. You'll still hit some traffic though.

What The!?

I commute from 101/Lawrence to South San Jose every day. Traffic Mon-Thrus starts to get thick around 3pm. Points of congestion are 101/880 interchange, 280/101 interchange. Once you hit the 101/Bernal portion, traffic literally comes to a halt. 101 goes from 4 lanes down to 2 lanes.

On Fridays, traffic starts usually around 2:30pm.

To be on the safe side, i'd leave around 2pm. If you wait any longer than that, you're gonna be assed out.

I hate my commute

RedS2Girl

Traffic usually gets really bad once you hit South San Jose (near Bernal/Blossom Hill) around 2-3... there's a 4-to-2 lanes merge there... it stays 2 lanes for awhile... it gets better once you hit gilroy...

my friend told me traffic on 152 gets pretty bad on fridays too...

if i go to LA on fridays, i usually take off sometime in the morning or late at night.

have a fun trip!

WhiteS2k

Traffic on 101S between 85 and Gilroy down in South San Jose is usually stop-and-go 24/7. That's where it narrows down to 2 lanes. Maybe in 5 years when they have the additional lanes open things will improve.

yu888

I'd leave a bit before 3pm, like maybe 2 or 2:30. I would also take 101S to 85 south back onto 101S so you can avoid the 880 interchange and 280 interchange. No way to miss the merge into 2 lanes at 85/101 in S. San Jose though, but I think 85 S is still a little easier. Good luck.

What The!?

Or IF you leave too late to avoid the 101 4-2 lane mess you can exit Bernal Rd and take Monterey Road all the way up. I always take that route if I head to Gilroy on the weekends saves so much time & frustration.

Just jump back onto 101S from Cottle Road.

Mossad

I'd swing northeast through Pleasanton and hop on the 5 South. It's about 1-2 hours quicker than taking the 101 to Los Angeles.

mjcohen

Even when taking the 152 in Gilroy to the 5????

I can't picture that being true.

The Unabageler

152 gets REALLY backed up.