Drive Time: Disneyland to Universal Studios in morning

Question

Hello,

This question was answered 16 years ago so I'm looking for an update. I'm planning on going from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood on Wednesday May 28 (4 people, so could use carpool lanes). We want to arrive in time for an 8:30a or 9am VIP tour (still to book), but I can do a later tour if it is advisable. Please let me know now how bad of a drive we are facing. We'll be at Disneyland until closing at 11 pm the night before.

thanks!

Answer

Driving from Disneyland in Anaheim to Universal Studios Hollywood on a weekday morning requires careful planning because Los Angeles traffic can be unpredictable, especially during peak hours. May 28 falls on a Wednesday, so you are likely hitting the tail end of morning rush hour if you leave too late.

The distance between Disneyland and Universal Studios is approximately 35-40 miles, depending on your route. Under ideal conditions, without traffic, the drive takes about 45-50 minutes. However, during weekday morning traffic, it often takes 1.5 to 2 hours, sometimes longer.

Here are some considerations to help plan your trip:

Departure time: To make an 8:30-9:00 am VIP tour, you should ideally leave Anaheim around 5:30-6:00 am. This gives you buffer time for traffic, parking, and arriving at the Universal Studios entrance.
Use carpool/HOV lanes: With four people in the car, you can use the carpool lanes on I-5, CA-134, and US-101, which can save significant time during rush hour. Make sure you check which lanes are designated for HOV and at what times.
Navigation: Use a real-time traffic app like Google Maps or Waze to monitor conditions and get suggested alternative routes. Freeways like I-5, CA-134, and US-101 often have slowdowns, so being flexible is key.

Given the early morning constraints and the fact you’ll be coming off a late night at Disneyland, some travelers opt for a later VIP tour slot if available, around 10:30-11:00 am. This reduces the stress of a super-early departure and still allows a full morning experience at Universal Studios.

Alternative: Consider staying overnight closer to Universal Studios (e.g., Hollywood or Universal City area) the night before, which would eliminate morning freeway stress and reduce travel time to about 10 minutes.
Parking: Universal Studios has preferred parking options, which can save additional time once you arrive, though standard parking is nearby and manageable.
Traffic patterns: Keep in mind that morning construction or incidents can add extra delays, so give yourself a buffer of at least 30-45 minutes beyond the estimated drive time using carpool lanes.

Overall, with four passengers to use HOV lanes, a 5:30-6:00 am departure from Anaheim should get you to Universal Studios by 8:30-9:00 am under normal conditions, but checking real-time traffic the morning of your trip is highly recommended.

Drive Time: Disneyland to Universal Studios in morning

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