California Travel Answers

I think 9 hours sounds about right. Take Highway 580 out of Oakland and connect with Interstate Highway 5 just south of Tracy. Take 5 to the intersection of Interstate Highway 210 (Foothill Freeway) at Sylmar. Stay on 210 until you reach the Covina area where you will connect with Interstate Highway 10 by taking Hwy 57 to Hwy 10. Take 10 the rest of the way to Palm Springs. This will allow you to get there as fast as is possible and you will avoid the worst of the L.A. traffic. That said, I suggest you still time your departure from Oakland so you aren't passing through the L.A. Freeway Complex during rush hour, 4:00-6:00pm.

Personally, I would completely avoid the LA metro and dodge around it through the desert. I-5 to I-210 is the most direct, but you'll still be in the crux of LA traffic and will have to time your drive appropriately. From I-5, you can take CA 46 east to CA 99, then CA 58 east from Bakersfield over to Barstow, then take CA 247 south all the way to Yucca Valley (you'll have to make a left at a 4-way stop to stay on it), then CA 62 to Palm Springs. If you route this out online, it'll show it taking longer, but it'll only time more in reality if you drive through LA at 3am. Plus, there is some good scenery along the way (certainly not in Bakersfield though).

Don't worry. You will be fine. Stop just before the Grapevine for a short rest, and then head out again.

Time will all depend on when you start from Oakland. I do the drive to San Diego every couple months and figure on 8 hours. For the extra east bound on 10 to Palm Springs I'd say 9 is very comfortable. If you leave Oakland early in the morning, say 5 you should have no trouble with the drive. Still, in January, watch the weather patterns if you do plan on going over the Grapevine. It can snow up there. The cut over to Bakersfield might be a better bet for traffic. Haven't taken that route in years so I can't speak for current traffic conditions, but the CalTrans web site will provide pretty good advice on traffic.

Hello! My husband and I drive from San Diego to the bay area often and it takes us no more than 7 1/2 hours to do so. I believe 9 hours is allowing a lot of down time in between. If you are looking to leave mid-week I would recommend leaving early morning or in the evening after rush hour traffic. We normally take the 99 to the 5, however it is less miles to Palm Springs if you take the 5S straight down. Best of luck and happy driving. Palm springs is wonderful!

I would figure 9 to 10 hours and would take the I-10 and not try to divert via Bakersfield and Barstow unless you plan to be on the I-10 between 3 and 9 pm on a weekday.

Not saying this is the the best route, but it's my personal preference. After reaching Bakersfield, (I always use 99 because there is a place I like to eat there ) take 58 over Tehachapi, to 395 south to 15 to 215 to 10. Works for me anyways, I hate traffic.

the time you travel is more important than the fwys you use. Be at Burbank by 3am on the 5fwy and you wont have problems with traffic whichever you choose to go East.

Google Maps is very easy to use and you can explore alternate routes. It shows distance and travel time. www.google.com