What’s Going on with San Diego’s Commute Times?
Residents of San Diego are very familiar with some of southern California’s common elements: the beach, the warm temperatures, and traffic. San Diego isn’t LA yet in terms of traffic, but commuters have suffered in recent years. At Liljegren Law Group, we understand this struggle. To help the citizens of San Diego, especially those new to the region, here are some tips you can employ to cut down on your commute time.
Quickway – a Look Ahead
Cities around the world make use of complex public transit systems to relieve some of the traffic congestion on their roads. San Diego is no exception, but the current trolley system needs a lot of work to be optimal, with too many stations set away from key places in the city, insufficient or slow lines, poor protection from the weather, and a lack of service to many other parts of the region. There are no plans to expand the service to critical suburban or office areas.
Metropolitan Transit System’s bus system continues to offer commuter service, with increases in ridership when the economy plummeted. That changed when the recovery began.
Enter Quickway, a proposal that hopes to smartly expand and employ public transit lines to better serve the city’s population. It is built on a flex trolley concept that avoids intersections, thus eliminating frequent stops away from stations. Unfortunately, the plan is still under consideration, but it shows the city is aware of the commuter problem and wants creative approaches to fix it.
The Current Commuter Problem
Because the current transit system is limited, most San Diego residents opt for cars, either alone or in carpools. For those looking for tips because they want to change their commute and people who are new to the area, here’s a breakdown of the hotspots:
Interstate 5 (I-5) – the One You Can’t Avoid
I-5 is the oldest freeway in San Diego. Usually busy, rush hour on the 5 is an exercise in patience. The busiest times on the 5 take place on the southbound side between 7:30 and 10 am and on the northbound side between 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm around major intersections with the other freeways.
Interstate 805 (I-805) – Driving Through Suburban San Diego
This interstate is looked at as the younger sibling of I-5. This route cuts inland where the 5 stays near the coast and delivers commuters to San Diego’s suburban areas. As more people move to this region, I-805 has become more congested, especially where it splits off from I-5.
Interstate 15 (I-15) – San Diego’s Mightiest Freeway
This wide motorway starts in the South Bay and heads through the inland suburbs in four counties, including Escondido and Riverside. It features a bi-directional High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane that reverses based on time of day. If you travel alone, you can still use the HOV lane if you pay a toll.
State Route 163 – Sightseeing in Downtown San Diego
Located downtown, this road allows commuters to cut across the city between I-5 and I-15. If you use this road during the day’s two rush hours, you can enjoy the views of Balboa Park.
Interstate 8 (I-8) – From the East to the West
This freeway starts in Point Loma and heads to everything in the east. This includes Mission Valley, San Diego State University, and the mountains beyond. Every major highway or freeway touches I-8, so watch out for traffic at each of those intersections.
State Route 78 – Inland North County to the Sea
This major route in the north is a nightmare of commuter traffic. This is most notable near the interchange with I-15 regardless of the direction of travel.