How Scary is it Really to Drive in LA? - The DIS Discussion Forums

bamagirl@hrt · 11-01-2012, 05:25 PM

Next summer we are planning a SoCal vacation. This will include time at Disneyland and will end in San Diego, where my husband will attend a national conference. We want to spend some time in Hollywood/LA. I'm trying to decide if we should drive and plan our own touring or take a day tour from Anaheim. We don't drive in big cities regularly, but have driven in San Francisco, DC, and Atlanta. What do you recommend?

usnuzuloose · 11-01-2012, 11:10 PM

Not that scary, freeways get congested in the early morning and afternoons. You can use a GPS for directions. You will be fine.

bamagirl@hrt · 11-02-2012, 01:46 PM

Thanks! That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. I think we'd prefer to have the freedom to do our own thing over being tied down to a tour itinerary. However, I am very intrigued by the Adventures by Disney one day tour.

StageTek · 11-02-2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamagirl@hrt

We don't drive in big cities regularly, but have driven in San Francisco, DC, and Atlanta.

No difference really than those three cities. More spread out, more freeways, but about the same.

PHXscuba · 11-02-2012, 04:31 PM

I've never driven in Atlanta, but I'd rank LA as easier than DC or San Francisco. Just give yourself plenty of time and use a GPS with a map as backup. The amount of freeways is large, but it's like a grid -- if you miss a turn you can probably take an acceptable alternate route.

PHXscuba

marvel · 11-06-2012, 04:09 PM

LA is better that Melbourne for driving

ludari · 11-06-2012, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamagirl@hrt

Next summer we are planning a SoCal vacation. This will include time at Disneyland and will end in San Diego, where my husband will attend a national conference. We want to spend some time in Hollywood/LA. I'm trying to decide if we should drive and plan our own touring or take a day tour from Anaheim. We don't drive in big cities regularly, but have driven in San Francisco, DC, and Atlanta. What do you recommend?

I drive in it everyday and you'll be fine.

Riniel · 12-04-2012, 05:09 PM

I sure hope you're all right! This Dec trip will be my first attempt at driving in LA, and it's the thing I'm most stressed out over! :P

ILUVALASKA · 01-06-2013, 12:00 AM

I have been driving LA freeways for almost 40 years. Yes, there is congestion around LA and Hollywood everyday. The freeways are convenient. However, you have to drive defensively. Watch for speeders and chronic lane changers. People use the carpool lane as a passing lane. People signal and come in your space immediately without warning. People wait until the last minute to merge or exit. I hate knowing my son drives the freeways as a new driver. It can be nuts out here.

danaesacto · 01-06-2013, 09:30 PM

What is frustrating is how long it takes to go short distances. Just know that traffic can be heavy all day, everday. Signage is good and freeways crisscross everywhere so it isnt hard, just busy...

SnowWhite12 · 01-15-2013, 05:37 PM

Driving in Memphis, Tn is way worse! We didn't think driving LA area was bad at all

bakerudall · 02-01-2013, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danaesacto

What is frustrating is how long it takes to go short distances. Just know that traffic can be heavy all day, everday. Signage is good and freeways crisscross everywhere so it isnt hard, just busy...

Is it less congested on the weekends, or is it slow to get around town all the time?

danaesacto · 02-01-2013, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakerudall

Is it less congested on the weekends, or is it slow to get around town all the time?

I don't live there- so I am sure locals must know some areas that are lighter on weekends- but as a tourist we found the whole general LA area to be a 7 day a week go, go, go town- it is busier down there later into the evening than it is up here, weekends are almost as busy as weekdays- by the time the weekend rolls around it seems everyone wants to be somewhere else- and they all have to drive to get there- when it is nice the freeways leading to the beaches back up for example...

FlyingBelle · 02-01-2013, 11:57 AM

Growing up in Chicago - I don't find driving in LA that different - with one MAJOR exception - motorcycles are allowed to drive inbetween lanes of traffic! That really freaked me out the first time. I wasn't used to looking for them flying past between me and the next lane of traffic, especially when traffic was slow.

Be safe!

mikedoyleblogger · 02-13-2013, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingBelle

Growing up in Chicago - I don't find driving in LA that different - with one MAJOR exception - motorcycles are allowed to drive inbetween lanes of traffic! That really freaked me out the first time. I wasn't used to looking for them flying past between me and the next lane of traffic, especially when traffic was slow.

Be safe!

I've seen that several times lately on the Dan Ryan, at really crazy speeds, too. (Though not on other Chicago expressways, oddly--maybe south siders are just less risk averse!)

11-01-2012, 05:25 PM	#1
bamagirl@hrt DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 1,500	How Scary is it Really to Drive in LA? Next summer we are planning a SoCal vacation. This will include time at Disneyland and will end in San Diego, where my husband will attend a national conference. We want to spend some time in Hollywood/LA. I'm trying to decide if we should drive and plan our own touring or take a day tour from Anaheim. We don't drive in big cities regularly, but have driven in San Francisco, DC, and Atlanta. What do you recommend?

11-01-2012, 11:10 PM	#2
usnuzuloose Loosing Doomed Boo Boo Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ca Posts: 75,310	Not that scary, freeways get congested in the early morning and afternoons. You can use a GPS for directions. You will be fine. __________________ A Carnival cruise.....with a chicken. TR http://www.disboards.com/showthread....54201&posted=1 Justice For Travis

11-06-2012, 04:09 PM	#6
marvel DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 865	LA is better that Melbourne for driving __________________ [img]http://www.********************/timers/tickers/amvvb5h8ysxz4avn.png[/img]

12-04-2012, 05:09 PM	#8
Riniel Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 176	I sure hope you're all right! This Dec trip will be my first attempt at driving in LA, and it's the thing I'm most stressed out over! :P __________________ Disney Trips: July '94-WDW, July '04-DL, Aug '06-WDW, July '08-DL, Oct '11-DL, Feb '12-DL, May '12-DL, Aug '12 WDW, and Dec '12 first Christmas at Disney!!

01-06-2013, 12:00 AM	#9
ILUVALASKA Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Claremont, CA Posts: 138	I have been driving LA freeways for almost 40 years. Yes, there is congestion around LA and Hollywood everyday. The freeways are convenient. However, you have to drive defensively. Watch for speeders and chronic lane changers. People use the carpool lane as a passing lane. People signal and come in your space immediately without warning. People wait until the last minute to merge or exit. I hate knowing my son drives the freeways as a new driver. It can be nuts out here. __________________ :First trip to Disneyland 1964. DL thousands of times-former castmember; Tokyo Disney 2005, Hong Kong Disney 2007, WDW 2000 and 2002. Inaugural sailing of Disney Magic! me:DHDS CMU Tartan Family

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11-02-2012, 01:46 PM	#3
bamagirl@hrt DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 1,500	Thanks! That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. I think we'd prefer to have the freedom to do our own thing over being tied down to a tour itinerary. However, I am very intrigued by the Adventures by Disney one day tour.

11-02-2012, 04:31 PM	#5
PHXscuba Mouseketeer since birth! I am lucky to have kids who also love Disney and a husband who loves it (and us) enough to humor my passion! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Blazing Heat, AZ Posts: 2,126	I've never driven in Atlanta, but I'd rank LA as easier than DC or San Francisco. Just give yourself plenty of time and use a GPS with a map as backup. The amount of freeways is large, but it's like a grid -- if you miss a turn you can probably take an acceptable alternate route. PHXscuba

01-06-2013, 09:30 PM	#10
danaesacto DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: near Sacramento Posts: 659	What is frustrating is how long it takes to go short distances. Just know that traffic can be heavy all day, everday. Signage is good and freeways crisscross everywhere so it isnt hard, just busy... __________________ Amazing Trip March 9-11, 2013 Thank you DisBoard and all those who helped us plan!

01-15-2013, 05:37 PM	#11
SnowWhite12 DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 718	Driving in Memphis, Tn is way worse! We didn't think driving LA area was bad at all

02-01-2013, 11:57 AM	#14
FlyingBelle Official Tag Fairy Underwear Designer "MacGyver's" her bras with duct tape and toilet paper Frutty Pebbles doesn't taste the same with ranch dressing! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,724	Growing up in Chicago - I don't find driving in LA that different - with one MAJOR exception - motorcycles are allowed to drive inbetween lanes of traffic! That really freaked me out the first time. I wasn't used to looking for them flying past between me and the next lane of traffic, especially when traffic was slow. Be safe! __________________ Many times as a child \| Fort Wilderness Campground 1996 \| Off-Property Mar 1999 \| Coronado Springs May 1999 \| All Star Sports Aug 1999 \| Dixie Landings Jan 2000 \| Dixie Landings Feb 2001\| Wilderness Lodge Feb 2002 \| Disney Wonder Cruise Jan 2003 \| Wilderness Lodge Sep 2004 \| Swan Feb 2005 \|Wilderness Lodge Oct 2005 \| Port Orleans Riverside - Aug 2006 \| Wilderness Lodge Villas - Jan/Feb 2007 \| Wilderness Lodge Family Trip - Sep 2008! Bella's first trip to Disney! \| Buena Vista Suites - Dec 08 \| Disneyland - Nov 2009 \| Disneyland - June 2010 \| Pop Century - July 2010 Disneyland - October 2010 \| All Star Music & Disney Wonder December 2010 \| All Star Music Jan 2011\| Disneyland Sept 2011 \| All Star Music Jan 2012 \| No Kids Trip! Pirate room at Caribbean Beach - Mar 2012\| Disneyland - April 2012\| Disneyland - July 2012\| Disneyland - August 2012 \| All Star Sports - September 2012\| Disney Dream 3 night cruise - Nov 2012

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