12-27-2012, 01:52 PM
The NYE traffic should be fine. Won't matter when you leave really. Since it is NYE the LA rush hour should be OK too. Might seem daunting to non-LA types, but the traffic will be light by LA standards.
The return traffic on the I-5 should be your area of concern. A lot of Bay Area people come to SoCal for that break. (Family, Disney, Rose Bowl, Rose Parade, open amusement parks, etc). And therefore that Tuesday night traffic will be a touch harder since you will get a lot of different groups returning at the same time.
However, based on my 8+ trips on the I-5 over the last four months I can tell you that gas prices have really knocked down the I-5 traffic. Back in the day people would travel up and down the I-5 almost for any reason and the road would get crowded. Now most of the time the I-5 is open enough to be a relatively easy drive.
The LA forecast for Monday and Tuesday is rain-free, so that should not be a big problem. Though the fog might be an issue if you try to return on Wednesday in the early AM.
Have fun, but remember to look out for DUI dangers.
The return traffic on the I-5 should be your area of concern. A lot of Bay Area people come to SoCal for that break. (Family, Disney, Rose Bowl, Rose Parade, open amusement parks, etc). And therefore that Tuesday night traffic will be a touch harder since you will get a lot of different groups returning at the same time.
However, based on my 8+ trips on the I-5 over the last four months I can tell you that gas prices have really knocked down the I-5 traffic. Back in the day people would travel up and down the I-5 almost for any reason and the road would get crowded. Now most of the time the I-5 is open enough to be a relatively easy drive.
The LA forecast for Monday and Tuesday is rain-free, so that should not be a big problem. Though the fog might be an issue if you try to return on Wednesday in the early AM.
Have fun, but remember to look out for DUI dangers.