Which Northbound freeway is better at 1p.m. on a Friday from OC, the 5 or the 405?

Question

I am leaving for San Jose tomorrow at 1p.m. from Huntington Beach. My choices are 405 to the 605 to the 5, or 405 all the way to the 5. Can someone with good knowledge of Friday afternoon traffic let me know which would be quicker, or would it just be a roll of the dice either way?

BTW, I am traveling with friends so carpool lane is available.

Answer 1

The 5.

good luck!

Answer 2

I would just stay on the I-405 all the way. It will take you around the downtown section of Los Angeles. You might find some slowing where the I-105 joins near LAX, and again around Westwood where the I-10 crosses, but I think this would be better than going through the I-5 bottleneck from the O C line to the I-710. The delay you encounter here will put you in downtown L A between 2:30 - 3:00 pm when the evening rush traffic is just beginning.

Answer 3

Take the 605 all the way to the 210, take 210 up to the 5, you will bypass all of LA.... you will hit little traffic on the 605, but the rest should be wide open...

Answer 4

5 is never the better choice into L.A. No car pool and much fewer lanes. Surface streets to the 5 will soak up too much time as well.

Answer 5

Depends what time you are leaving.. but I would say the 5, since it will be Friday, and passing thru the airport any day, any time, sux!!!! the 5 isnt so great either, but thats only til you get out of LA and into the grapevine... after that its smooth sailing. ;]

Answer 6

Snake-eyes either way...Good Luck, leave early...

Answer 7

YEP...its a flip of the coin.