Drive route Paso Robles to USS Iowa Museum plus hotel

Question

First week of October, we will drive from Paso Robles to San Diego, but are now interested in stopping to see the Iowa. We will probably stay that night somewhere not too far from Iowa and head to San Diego the next day. Expecting horrendous traffic. Any help on route, traffic, and what area to stay in would be so appreciated.

Answer

Driving from Paso Robles to the USS Iowa Museum in San Pedro, Long Beach, is a beautiful but potentially long journey, especially in early October when traffic in Southern California can be heavy. Here’s a detailed plan to help make the trip smoother.

Route: The most straightforward route is:

Take US-101 South from Paso Robles toward Los Angeles.
Near Los Angeles, merge onto I-5 South or I-405 South toward Long Beach/San Pedro. Both routes can experience heavy traffic, particularly around LA, so timing your drive early in the morning is advantageous.
Exit at the Harbor Scenic Drive/Front Street area to reach the USS Iowa Museum in San Pedro.

Traffic considerations:

Leaving Paso Robles early (around 7-8 a.m.) can help avoid the worst LA area congestion.
Friday afternoons, late mornings, and late afternoons tend to have the worst traffic in LA. Weekdays are generally busier than weekends, but Southern California traffic is often unpredictable.
Use real-time navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze to check for accidents or slowdowns on I-5 and I-405, as these can add significant time.

Suggested area to stay: Since the USS Iowa is in San Pedro, the easiest option is to stay nearby to avoid driving back through LA traffic that evening. Good areas include:

San Pedro: Convenient, close to the museum, and quieter than staying in downtown LA. Offers a few mid-range hotels and motels.
Long Beach: Slightly further north but provides more hotel options, including larger chains and boutique hotels. Still within 15-20 minutes drive to the USS Iowa Museum.
Nearby coastal neighborhoods: Areas like Rancho Palos Verdes or Torrance can work if you prefer a scenic stay, though hotel options may be more limited and a bit more expensive.

Next day to San Diego: From San Pedro or Long Beach, you can continue on I-405 South or I-5 South directly to San Diego. Leaving early in the morning will help avoid the heaviest LA traffic, especially through Orange County.

Additional tips:

Consider packing snacks and water, as the drive can be long, and options along the freeway may be crowded.
Plan your USS Iowa visit for early morning if possible, to have more flexible time before heading to your hotel.
Check hotel cancellation policies, as traffic delays could affect arrival time.

By staying close to the USS Iowa Museum and leaving early, you’ll minimize driving stress and maximize time for sightseeing before continuing to San Diego.

Drive route Paso Robles to USS Iowa Museum plus hotel

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