Sorry Bulky, but I gotta say it's the 210 between the 134 and the 57. Claustrophobic because of the GoldLine, lots of accidents in Monrovia for some reason, then it gets super ugly from the 605 eastward.
405 through the Sepulveda Pass.
Quote from: rschen7754 on April 29, 2012, 08:28:10 PM
405 through the Sepulveda Pass.
thread closed.
But also agree with the 210/134.... or the 110 merging on and off the 5, thats a doozy
My vote goes for the obsolete Pasadena Freeway/Arroyo Seco Parkway. Dishonorable mention for 60 just west of Beaumont as that's an old 4-lane expressway that gets somewhat curvy and narrow by today's standards.
That's not to say the 405 is anyone's idea of a picnic...LOL!
Rick
aww I love the Arroyo Seco Pkwy, Its fun to drive on, its just eroded enough that you can feel the road and hear it if you have the window down, as well as how winding it is. Its like as much of a thrill as you can get from a freeway
Quote from: rschen7754 on April 29, 2012, 08:28:10 PM
405 through the Sepulveda Pass.
I've never driven that stretch. It's worse than the 405 through Long Beach?
I'd say my least favorite is the 5 from the OC line to downtown. It goes from a nice, wide freeway to a cramped, dirty, busy mess.
I kinda like that 6 lane stretch of the 5. It's like being transported back to 1971.
110 between the Four Level and the 5. In both directions. Especially during Dodger games.
The 101 through the S.F. Valley.
405 From LAX to the 101 and all the freeways (5,110,101,10) in Downtown LA. Seems like they have traffic 24/7.
Man, so many options on this one.......
I think for me it would be the 60 between Hacienda Bl and the 57. Just bad news, all the trucks going to the IE from the harbor area, all the signs and asian business complexes right on top of the freeway, MAJOR visual distraction, and the drivers....... don't get me started on them! I grew up in Whittier and traveled to family property in the San Bernardino Mountains fairly often as a kid. This road has became a nightmare in the last 15 years or so.
The route 91 in Riverside is extremely littered with trash. Then in the same route in Anaheim, it has a noisy choppy sound when on the asphalt. And finally, the intense traffic jams on the Santa Ana Canyon pass between State route 71 (the Chino Freeway) and the Eastern Transportation Corridor. What a sign of neglect by CalTrans and no wonder FastTrak has to take care of the pass part of the freeway, because the state of Cal. not the Interstate or US Highway authorities only are assigned to overlook route 91. :-/
Any stretch of the 91 anytime of day!
710 between Valley Blvd and the 134/210 junction.
After reading the various comments here, I wonder if the thread's title should have been "Best LA Area Freeways" since there seems to be so few of them...LOL! If that was the thread, I'll put in state route 2, the Glendale Freeway.
Rick
Quote from: nexus73 on April 30, 2012, 11:47:51 AM
After reading the various comments here, I wonder if the thread's title should have been "Best LA Area Freeways" since there seems to be so few of them...LOL! If that was the thread, I'll put in state route 2, the Glendale Freeway.
Rick
the best one is probably the 210. scenic, lots of sweeping curves, and not as much traffic as some others. it reminds me of the 280 in the Bay Area, which is probably the most scenic freeway in all of California.
91 through Santa Ana Canyon, almost always a traffic nightmare feels as bad as 405 through Sepulveda Pass.
Also worth mentioning, Santa Monica Freeway, another Traffic nightmare, I-605, no Control Cities? Plus the traffic problems.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 30, 2012, 12:20:45 PM
Quote from: nexus73 on April 30, 2012, 11:47:51 AM
After reading the various comments here, I wonder if the thread's title should have been "Best LA Area Freeways" since there seems to be so few of them...LOL! If that was the thread, I'll put in state route 2, the Glendale Freeway.
Rick
the best one is probably the 210. scenic, lots of sweeping curves, and not as much traffic as some others. it reminds me of the 280 in the Bay Area, which is probably the most scenic freeway in all of California.
Does Orange County count as the LA area? Not being from near there I tend to lump it in with LA. If it counts, I'm a fan of the 73 toll road. I like the cool views coming over the crest of the mountain where the toll booth is.
Quote from: realjd on April 30, 2012, 04:47:57 PM
Does Orange County count as the LA area?
not if they have any say in the matter... they have their own Caltrans district, even!
Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 30, 2012, 12:20:45 PM
Quote from: nexus73 on April 30, 2012, 11:47:51 AM
After reading the various comments here, I wonder if the thread's title should have been "Best LA Area Freeways" since there seems to be so few of them...LOL! If that was the thread, I'll put in state route 2, the Glendale Freeway.
Rick
the best one is probably the 210. scenic, lots of sweeping curves, and not as much traffic as some others. it reminds me of the 280 in the Bay Area, which is probably the most scenic freeway in all of California.
Dunno... I'd say I-5 along the Klamath River up in the Siskiyous is the most scenic.
As for the worst LA area freeway? No one's said the 71 through Pomona.
Quote from: Bickendan on April 30, 2012, 07:08:26 PM
Dunno... I'd say I-5 along the Klamath River up in the Siskiyous is the most scenic.
As for the worst LA area freeway? No one's said the 71 through Pomona.
a wayward proofread removed the word "commuter". I-5 is definitely more scenic, but it isn't a suburban route.
Im also not a fan of the 5 between Western Ave all the way to the 118, either its not wide enough, or the lanes are jacked up or people are going too slow. Theres many problems with it, I hope before they finish the construction they fix some of those issues...
QuoteAs for the worst LA area freeway? No one's said the 71 through Pomona.
Oh hell, I hate that. The whole west end of it makes no sense. 2 lanes right at the start near the 57 then there's several sets of traffic lights at and after Mission Bl. Its a shitty little thing it is. :banghead:
It's funny reading in the present about the Riverside Freeway being so bad these days. When I was stationed at March AFB in 1974-75, I found the 91 was the easiest E-W route for dealing with traffic. The San Berdoo (I-10) was packed. The Pomona (SR 60) was just getting finished a bit west of the city of Riverside. The 210 wasn't completed. Sp when it was daytime and I wanted to go west, I'd use the Riverside Freeway and buzz right along without a care, then use the 605 for my N-S axis since it was relatively quiet compared to 5 or 405 as I navigated around SoCal.
How times have changed...LOL! More people and not much for new E-W routes since then have clogged up all the routes. At least the 210 is almost done as we await the finishing touches in San Bernardino where it connects with I-215 and then for AASHTO to allow for resigning the SR 210 as an Interstate.
As for 280 in the Bay Area, it is a very attractive freeway. I first drove it in the mid-70's and found it to be spectacular at that time. I can see why Agentsteel likes it so much!
Rick
P.S. I find this thread to be extremely entertaining and informative!
Quote from: nexus73 on May 01, 2012, 02:35:09 AM
As for 280 in the Bay Area, it is a very attractive freeway. I first drove it in the mid-70's and found it to be spectacular at that time. I can see why Agentsteel likes it so much!
the other reason I like it so much is because of the high-speed curves. I've done the road averaging 95mph between San Jose and San Francisco, and it's not uncommon during the off-peak hours to see cars doing 130-140.
well, as of several years ago. now there's Highway Patrol all over that road. California needs the money!
Quotethe other reason I like it so much is because of the high-speed curves. I've done the road averaging 95mph between San Jose and San Francisco, and it's not uncommon during the off-peak hours to see cars doing 130-140.
well, as of several years ago. now there's Highway Patrol all over that road. California needs the money!
Ah that makes me think of both sides of the 5 between San Clemente & Oceanside. Coming and going from San Diego everytime I've been through there everyone was going 100+ the entire way. Going less than 95 meant you were in the way.
Quote from: bulkyorled on May 01, 2012, 07:41:08 PM
Ah that makes me think of both sides of the 5 between San Clemente & Oceanside. Coming and going from San Diego everytime I've been through there everyone was going 100+ the entire way. Going less than 95 meant you were in the way.
that's also fairly heavily patrolled now. Speed of traffic is about 78, and I feel like the reason for that is that cops have their radar set to beep on 80.
Well everyone northbound has to make up time lost waiting an hour to present their papers to Comrade Border Patrol Officer.
There's a border patrol station on that part of I-5? When we drove back home after going to Legoland in Carlsbad, I saw no such thing. If not, then does I-5 have any agricultural inspection area between LA and San Diego?
On topic, I don't really like I-5 between downtown and the Orange County line. So much traffic and under-maintained. Such a big contrast to I-5 south of the county line. I'm just saying this as I haven't really been on much LA freeways, being from Central California.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on May 01, 2012, 07:45:44 PM
Quote from: bulkyorled on May 01, 2012, 07:41:08 PM
Ah that makes me think of both sides of the 5 between San Clemente & Oceanside. Coming and going from San Diego everytime I've been through there everyone was going 100+ the entire way. Going less than 95 meant you were in the way.
that's also fairly heavily patrolled now. Speed of traffic is about 78, and I feel like the reason for that is that cops have their radar set to beep on 80.
Figures! Take all the fun outta driving down there and making it in an hour!
Quote from: CentralCAroadgeek on May 01, 2012, 09:12:53 PM
There's a border patrol station on that part of I-5? When we drove back home after going to Legoland in Carlsbad, I saw no such thing. If not, then does I-5 have any agricultural inspection area between LA and San Diego?
Yes, there is a border control checkpoint on I-5 north of Oceanside for northbound traffic. I'm not a local but I do spend a large amount of time in Carlsbad for work, and I'd say it's open around half the time I make that drive. If you look on a map, you'll see an exit for Camp Pendleton a few miles north of Oceanside. North of that exit the northbound lanes are fenced off on both sides leading to a covered awning over the road. When the checkpoint is open, they set up stop signs under the awning. If you don't look Mexican, they usually wave you on. Once I was asked my citizenship and where I was going, mainly to give them time to run a drug dog around my car. If you look suspicious they divert you to secondary and do a full search of your car. I've never had that honor, but judging by the folks with their cars being searched, I don't match their target demographic.
There is also one on the 15 near Temecula for northbound traffic from San Diego, as well as two in the 8 for traffic in both directions, one in/out of San Diego and one in/out of Arizona.
It's not an agriculture check; it's an inland border control checkpoint run by the CBP and the courts have ruled that your 4th amendment rights against unreasonable searches do NOT apply due to national security concerns.
Meh. We don't get hotly political over tea party garbage here in cali
Quote from: CentralCAroadgeek on May 01, 2012, 09:12:53 PM
There's a border patrol station on that part of I-5? When we drove back home after going to Legoland in Carlsbad, I saw no such thing. If not, then does I-5 have any agricultural inspection area between LA and San Diego?
On topic, I don't really like I-5 between downtown and the Orange County line. So much traffic and under-maintained. Such a big contrast to I-5 south of the county line. I'm just saying this as I haven't really been on much LA freeways, being from Central California.
Yeah, I-5 is a real mess south of downtown LA to Buena Park. Now, they are finally starting to do roadwork to improve that stretch, but it's gonna take forever to get done!
The 5 between the stack interchange and the 91.
Quote from: blawp on May 01, 2012, 11:36:46 PM
Meh. We don't get hotly political over tea party garbage here in cali
Tea party garbage? All the San Diegoans I know (from both parties) resent the fact that they can't leave their city by car without having to go through government checkpoints, and I have one friend who fits their profile and is basically forced to carry his passport with him or else go through the whole ordeal where they "verify his citizenship" and use the opportunity to tear his car apart. Plus, I'll bet stoner college kids and medical marijuana patients both hate the fact that the federal checkpoint has drug dogs and enforces federal, not state, drug regulations.
The tea partiers I work with here in Florida fully support the checkpoints because they "stop illegal immigrants and terrorists".
This particular discussion on checkpoints may be better continued in the "Off-topic" section.
Quote from: realjd on May 01, 2012, 11:12:19 PMyour 4th amendment rights against unreasonable searches do NOT apply due to national security concerns.
just ask Maryland, 1862. it's a horrific precedent, but not an old one.
the rights of the state outweigh the rights of the people.
Quote from: bulkyorled on May 01, 2012, 10:55:23 PM
Figures! Take all the fun outta driving down there and making it in an hour!
if you can make it from LA to San Diego in an hour, I will personally congratulate you. let's say the East LA interchange to the 5/163 junction.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on May 02, 2012, 12:30:05 PM
Quote from: bulkyorled on May 01, 2012, 10:55:23 PM
Figures! Take all the fun outta driving down there and making it in an hour!
if you can make it from LA to San Diego in an hour, I will personally congratulate you. let's say the East LA interchange to the 5/163 junction.
Well perhaps that was a little exaggerated. Maybe I meant from the bottom tip of LA County to the tippy top of SD county and with a backwind pushing me haha But it always did go way faster than I expected. I remember the first time I did it, I was going about 110 and there was a van behind me going near the same and a Mercedes to the left of me going slightly faster.
Google maps says from LA Center (1st & Main) to San Diego Center(?) shown as 8th Av & Broadway is 120mi so I suppose if I was going 110 I technically could have made it in slightly over an hour :happy: Im babbling of course... obviously I was going 110 the whole way and uh yea well anyways. :spin: :spin: :spin:
Quote from: realjd on April 29, 2012, 10:55:34 PM
Quote from: rschen7754 on April 29, 2012, 08:28:10 PM
405 through the Sepulveda Pass.
I've never driven that stretch. It's worse than the 405 through Long Beach?
Yes! I've driven that stretch over the Sepulveda Pass numerous times when I lived in Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley. Actually, it's not just over the pass--the entire 405 from LAX all the way into the San Fernando Valley is just one nasty congested mess! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
Quote from: agentsteel53 on May 02, 2012, 11:40:54 AM
just ask Maryland, 1862. it's a horrific precedent, but not an old one.
the rights of the state outweigh the rights of the people.
In 1862, we were at war and it looked like we might well lose. Now we're giving up our 4th amendment rights in order to keep latinos from harvesting crops in the central valley.
I should add most any stretch of the 405 in LA County to this list. Curious to see if Carmageddon 2.0 goes over as well as its predecessor.
Quote from: nexus73 on April 30, 2012, 11:47:51 AM
After reading the various comments here, I wonder if the thread's title should have been "Best LA Area Freeways" since there seems to be so few of them...LOL! If that was the thread, I'll put in state route 2, the Glendale Freeway.
Rick
Ahh, I remember that road when it was just a little baby. Beautiful new bands of concrete opening next week and I was unemployed with a new motorcycle. Within a week, I was tooling eastbound on the 210.
As I approached the new transition ramps to the 2/South, my heart beat faster. There was maybe 1 or 2 cars around and no one was turning onto the transition road but me. I picked up the speed to about 85, then 90 as I completed the curve to the sweeping view of Los Angeles downtown and the incredible downhill grade ahead. 100, 120, and it was 130 that I feared the speed. By the time crossed the 134, I slowed it to 100, then hit the Golden State at a respectable 60.
To this day, that's still the fastest I've ever gone and care to go on a motorcycle.
the original 1959 signs on 2 southbound approaching 5 are still around.
I don't think I've ever gone faster than about 108 on any LA freeway. even late at night, traffic counts prohibit it.
THE CENTURY sitting atop the 405South/105East, STOPPED for a friggin traffic light. Nothing more frustrating. This is a FREEWAY!
Quote from: LA_MetroMan on December 06, 2012, 01:24:32 PM
THE CENTURY sitting atop the 405South/105East, STOPPED for a friggin traffic light. Nothing more frustrating. This is a FREEWAY!
wait, there's a traffic light from 405 south to 105 east? I don't remember that. is it a ramp meter light?
I've always thought it a bit strange that there were ramp meter lights for the 2 north to 210 west transition. I figure that once you're on the freeway, you should not be stopped again until you decide to get off. (there's also signalized freeway-to-freeway connections like 78 west to 5 south, 56 east to 15 south, and then the monstrosity of 5 north to 56 east.)
Quote from: LA_MetroMan on December 06, 2012, 01:24:32 PM
THE CENTURY sitting atop the 405South/105East, STOPPED for a friggin traffic light. Nothing more frustrating. This is a FREEWAY!
I'm assuming you're referring to the metering lights at the end of the ramp?
Up here in the S.F. Bay Area, we have freeway-to-freeway ramp meters on north and south CA-17 to southbound CA-85, southbound CA-87 to southbound CA-85, northbound US 101 to northbound CA-85 and eastbound CA-92 to northbound I-880 just to name a few.
Quote from: LA_MetroMan on December 06, 2012, 01:24:32 PM
THE CENTURY sitting atop the 405South/105East, STOPPED for a friggin traffic light. Nothing more frustrating. This is a FREEWAY!
Ramp Meter, Traffic Signal, Swinging Stop Sign, guy in bright green vest with swinging stop sign - It's all the same . A traffic light on a freeway, pfffffft.
That light is just before the merge into the 105. If you look at the current GOOGLE map, you can see cars stopped on the NB405-EB105 ramp.
I DO remember the 2/210 light as well, but have always had a green on that one.
Pfft. How about a ramp meter on a mainline? https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=5031
Quote from: NE2 on December 07, 2012, 04:05:09 AM
Pfft. How about a ramp meter on a mainline? https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=5031
That's due to the history of Calif State Route 125. The first section built was between I-8 and SR 94 (originally signed as SR 67). It was intended to carry traffic from I-8 west to SR 94 west. There is a significant, three-lane connecting ramp from I-8 west to SR 125 south to SR 94 west. When they started building more segments of SR 125 starting in the early 1990s, they did so in segments, with one of the first between Fletcher Pkwy and I-8. Since this new, short section of SR 125 was serving as a connector from Fletcher Pkwy to I-8 and SR 125 south, the metering light was added. After more sections of SR 125 opened, the metering light remained. I don't drive through there often, so I don't know if that light is operating during commuting hours or not. But it is true that quite a bit of traffic transitions off of SR 125 onto I-8 at that interchange, and quite a bit of I-8 traffic shifts to SR 125 (especially heading south).
Regards,
Andy
Quote from: hm insulators on May 08, 2012, 04:44:38 PM
Quote from: realjd on April 29, 2012, 10:55:34 PM
Quote from: rschen7754 on April 29, 2012, 08:28:10 PM
405 through the Sepulveda Pass.
I've never driven that stretch. It's worse than the 405 through Long Beach?
Yes! I've driven that stretch over the Sepulveda Pass numerous times when I lived in Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley. Actually, it's not just over the pass--the entire 405 from LAX all the way into the San Fernando Valley is just one nasty congested mess! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
The 405 can be a sneaky bastard. Going north over Sepulveda Pass I never had a problem. Going south you can be tooling along and suddenly have to stand on your brakes numerous times all the way to LAX. Really crazy stop-and-go, mostly stop. X-( Of course, my experience is limited to the times I've visited, so YMMV.
My least favorite? The 91 between the 55 & I-15. Also, I-215 thru downtown San Bernardino is old and has a lot of left exits...but that was a few years ago. I've heard it's being upgraded now.
My favorite, by far, is 210 east of San Dimas. Smooth sailing.
I also like I-15 south of Corona to about the 163 split.