Ojai to Twentynine Palms

Question

Hi all

We will be traveling on a Tuesday in June and are thinking of stopping on the way at Griffith Observatory. Is this a bad idea, due to potentially getting stuck in traffic jams?

Getting conflicting info re: LA rush hour times, as some say from 5am-10am, while others say from 7-10am approx. What time is best to set off from Ojai and which route would be best? Many thanks in advance.

Answer

Traveling from Ojai to Twentynine Palms with a stop at Griffith Observatory is feasible, but traffic planning is crucial when passing through Los Angeles. LA traffic is notoriously unpredictable, but there are some patterns you can use to plan your trip.

Regarding traffic and timing:

Rush hour in Los Angeles is typically considered from around 6:30am–10am in the morning and 3:30pm–7pm in the evening. The earlier start times you’ve seen (5am–10am) may be advice for the heaviest freeway traffic, but generally leaving after 7am is still manageable depending on your route.
Tuesday mornings tend to be busy, as it is a standard weekday, but traffic is lighter than Monday mornings or Fridays.
Griffith Observatory can have heavy parking demand, especially late morning to afternoon. Visiting early in the morning (before 9am) can reduce wait times and improve your experience.

Route recommendations:

Option 1 (fastest freeway route): Take US-101 South from Ojai to I-405 South, then merge onto US-101 North/CA-134 East toward Griffith Observatory. This route is freeway-heavy and can be subject to delays, but is generally the most direct.
Option 2 (scenic alternative): Take US-101 South to CA-170 South, which can be less congested than the 405, then merge onto CA-134 East toward Griffith. This avoids some of the heavy 405 traffic.
After Griffith Observatory, continue east on CA-2 or I-10 East toward Twentynine Palms. Using CA-210 East and then I-10 East is the standard route to reach the desert efficiently.

Best departure strategy:

Leaving Ojai around 6–6:30am can help you reach Griffith Observatory by 8–8:30am, avoiding the bulk of LA freeway congestion and the worst Observatory crowds.
If leaving later, consider using real-time navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze to adjust your route dynamically and avoid traffic incidents.

Additional tips:

Griffith Observatory has limited parking. Consider using ride-sharing or parking in nearby areas if you want a guaranteed spot.
Keep water and snacks handy for the drive through the LA area and on the long stretch east toward the desert.
Allow extra travel time, as LA traffic and the desert leg to Twentynine Palms can be unpredictable.

In summary, stopping at Griffith Observatory is doable, but an early departure from Ojai (around 6am) is recommended to minimize traffic delays and enjoy a less crowded visit. Using freeway navigation apps will also help optimize your route.

Ojai to Twentynine Palms

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