Interstate 5 is the formal name. I grew up knowing it as the 5. Which is correct?!?! Who knows!! ;) I drive the 5 in Sacramento at least five times a week. It's my go to favorite path to work. For the most part, this area is my favorite drive. I don't like the slow down of construction, but I also understand improvement is best for all. Accidents happen. Slow downs from this gets crazy. Impatiently waiting to be on my way. Now, when on the 5 heading towards Los Angeles....oh my!! The two lane area can get tricky. For example, the right lane which is considered the slow lane has the most holes and or bumps in the road. I guess the heavy traffic of eighteen wheelers tear up the roads. The left lane is better, but considered the fast lane! People drive like they're late for an important meeting. In the Los Angeles area, there's more holes in every other lanes. You have to pay close attention. I'm always afraid I'm going to have a flat on a crazy busy highway. San Diego is better, but not perfect! It has its own issues. Problem areas as well. Overall, our family enjoys road trips and creating memories. The 5 is our favorite choice to travel on. I cannot complain. No where is perfect. Accidents happen. Repairs are a must. Look ahead. Look left and right. Check your rear view mirror! BE SAFE! DRIVE RESPONSIBLY!! Relax and enjoy your path!!! read more

As an East Coaster, I'm still going to refer to it as "Interstate 5" and not like you Californians that call it "the five." Because that's just silly. I have spent a good amount of time on this road, as far north as the Canada border and as far south as the San Diego airport. I am not interested in driving in to Mexico, thanks! I-95 follows the east coast from Canada, it continues down into Florida and not the Canada border. And while I-35 goes from Laredo Texas, it terminates in Duluth Minnesota and not at the Canada border. That makes I-5 special! Rest areas along the way are mostly open and many of them allow overnight parking. And you can expect the highway patrol of all three states to be looking out for speeders. So use caution, don't speed and you'll, as they say, "Arrive alive." [Review 20936 overall - 483 in California - 1920 of 2023.] read more

Messy In L.A., Though Sacramento, Portland and Seattle Are NOT A Cake Walk Either SITREP Interstate 5 ("The 5", because I like saying it like "The Californians" on SNL), is a mixed bag. THE SETUP I think it goes without saying that if you are UNlucky enough to catch The 5 during rush hour, make sure you brought along your "freeway therapy" kit of music CDs, favorite radio stations, speed-dial'd to your Talk Radio, etc. L.A. But L.A. is TRULY the King of Clusterf*ck'n segments of any freeway system running through it. Being stuck on The 5 in L.A. during rush hour is probably only surpassed by being stuck on The 101 or The 10. And if you have to spend any time on all 3 in one commute, you might as well shoot yourself. THE LOWDOWN You drive it because sometimes you just have to. At least it's paved. read more

This section of the 5 is from Sacramento north to Medford OR. It's listed here in the Redding area, as I see there's more listings reviews for this freeway further to the south in the Fresno area and for LA central. This section north of Sacramento, is completely different from the long straight stretches across the San Joaquin Valley south of Sacramento till you get to the Grapevine climb which will bring you right down to LA! This section has it's long straight sections of 70mph speed limits, which basically means you can do 75mph and not get a ticket. North of Redding the road becomes more interesting with climbs and descents and curvy roads. Crossing the Oregon border, watch you speed! 65mph really means 65! If you need gas in OR. say good bye to self serve, you have to let some gas station joker fill you tank and hope he doesn't spill gas on your car .... but then they don't clean the windshield! Redding is a good stop, plenty of hotels and places to eat. I sort of like this drive on I-5 or "5" as you say up north here. read more

I-5 is the only highway in the U.S. that reaches both the Canadian and Mexican borders. Nice to know that if somebody wanted to drive an entire day and had a gas tanker following them, they could make the 1,382 mile drive from Mexico to Canada without ever getting off the highway. That sounds like the premise for a new extreme TV show where people do awesomely stupid things. I-5, or "The 5" as Southern Californians call it, is a great way to get between NorCal and SoCal. The Central California stretch of the highway is straight, flat and boring, and runs by only small towns. Perfect for speeding.... I mean, optimizing total transit time. In Central California until hitting Grapevine, the 5 consists of two lanes in each direction. Traffic during non-peak days is fairly light. For a while, one lane in each direction near the Buttonwillow area was closed due to "construction", but Caltrans has finally lifted the blockage. No more stop and go traffic! For that reason, anyhow. I like this portion of the 5. No nonsense, just highway. I can understand why some reviewers gave it 1-star for the horrible LA traffic. But hey, if you live in LA, there are just some things about life you need to accept! read more

I rate this highway better than average because it has efficiently taken me on many many trips. I have traveled from San Diego to the south all the way to Seattle, over twelve hundred miles. This road flows very well in rural sections, and comes sometimes to a stop or near stop in the big cities. In my travels, Portland was the one big city that really kept me on my toes, you better watch the signs or listen to GPS in that town to keep on track. Los Angeles has been the slowest most congested, and let's face it, the congestion can go on for miles. Seattle can be trying as well. But this highway does a good job moving hundreds of thousands of vehicles a day. And even traveling tens of thousands of miles on this road, I have had little trouble. read more

Along time ago when my dad was in school he got a summer job helping construct a section of this freeway. All my life it seems I have been riding/driving on this freeway to get somewhere, my grandparents, home from college....you get the idea. Its a good highway, most of it drives through the countryside, fields and forests, mountains and flat areas. It can be beautiful just be ready for the traffic on the cities. The cities can be brutal. It gets its stars though because it is gets you there...eventually. read more

.....AND FOR HER HUNDREDTH REVIEW.... "The 5"--only between L.A. and Gilroy, Ca I've driven you through thick and thin, dear friend. Actually, through rain, wind, fog, fire, snow, burning heat, freezing cold, blown tires, police chases, fatalities, family fights, 4 relationships, numerous rent-a-cars, college, my twenties, tow trucks, moving vans, the Starbucks empire, birds gone awry, killer moths, the Anne Heche incident via 2000 via Fresno, and so much more... I have been driving back and forth between my home and my "home" since college and with over 200,000 miles and about 100 trips racked up--I know Hwy 5 like an old friend. I know the best/cheapest spot for gas is at Frazier Park. I know that after the Grapevine there is exactly 3 hours to my next exit and that Kettleman City has the only in-n-out on the road(and is precisely half way home). I know that if you don't hit the Starbucks in Castaic--a little north of Santa Clarita--you won't hit another one until after the grapevine and then it's another 40 miles to the one in Bakersfield, and they're both drive-thru's. I know NOT to drive home on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or the Sunday after Christmas. (if you only learn one thing--learn that!!!) I know every exit, when to plug my nose in Coalinga, that there are no radio stations for miles and that I prefer the drive alone. The last time I took my friend by the slaughterhouse she cried, vowed never to eat beef again and then 20 minutes later said, "ooo--Burger King!" I know most people hate this road thinking it's boring and flat and probably prefer the 101, but it has served me well and has provided me with the time I need to prepare to come home or go home, think about my relationships and goals and give me the solitude that I am usually in need of. But I swear to God, if one of those big rigs cuts me off one more time to get ahead of a trailer you're gonna see more than the bird!!! read more

No one goes the speed limit. You must be going 70+ or you are going to get passed by everyone including big rigs.

Part of the "One Hell of a Road Trip Series" See this list for the full story http://www.yelp.com/list_details?list_id=xdScBKkGSFymPq1tLK74qg R: Dude, it's 10am, why the hell is there traffic here? L: There's ALWAYS traffic here. R: Hey, have you guys seen those new Coke Billboards along this freeway between OC and LA and it's just a guy or girl in the "Taking it down the throat position" and everything is covered in white, including their face and hair and the tagline just reads ..."B-" D: Bukakk-......? R: Subtle, right? read more

I held off on this comical review of I-5 till I drove it for all it's 1381 miles. Yes, that's right. 1381 miles of highway. From Mexico to right before Canada. Yup. I've been everywhere, man. As the Man in black said. A lot of it is boring... Beyond boring. Jesus Christ, how boring can it get? Let me tell you. Around Sacramento it's just a waste land of nothing. You're not getting much radio reception and I think my soul died around Redding. But that's the small price you have to pay given that a little under 800 miles of this road run through California. It'll get you were you need to be. In some spots a little slower than others. I mean. Right there near Los Feliz, do you really need to be so slow? I don't want to hang around all the hipsters for too long. Then pretty much the entire stretch from East L.A to Disney Land, don't you know I'm trying to go see Nightastic?! I Work with me here, I-5. Well, find your local NPR station and buckle up. As you drive from one point to the other or any spot in-between, it'll get you where you need to be and quickly. You see, 101 works fine to seeing a pretty picture, but when you're trying to go for shortest time, the 5 is what you need to be on. Going up to San Francisco during the night? You're better off taking the 5 simply because you're not going to be seeing much of anything anyway, so the view of nothing is alright saving you an hour. The stretch between Sacramento and Redding.. well, that's better off left as just saying you're going to be bored to tears. Hopefully it's not a pledge drive week on public radio. Once you get near OR it's going to be all sort of mountain filled. Really pretty sights to be seen. It gets to a pretty damn high peak once you cross the boarder. And I have to say, there's no "Good bye from California" or anything. How rude is that? Soon after you're going down and passing the Rogue River. I have to wonder if this isn't where that sweet sweet beer flows like the river that I'm sure some camper peed in. WA is filled with trees. Trees and rain. Yup. a lot of that just randomly comes down on you. Be warned, you're going to see more trees. By this point you're all tree'ed out. So it's going to be longing for those views of vast farm land from Redding. About 600 miles of it between Stockton, Ca. and Portland, Or. follows the original 1820's Siskiyou Trail. So that's old school, yo. So five, I'm going to give you a shout out. You deserved it since you've taken me from here to there and back again. But how about you get some more interesting side shit between L.A. and S.F. and then between Sacramento and Oregon. read more

I mean seriously??? I would love to drive by here ONCE, just ONCE and not have this freeway packed!!! No matter what time of the day it is, I've never seen this place be a regular freeway. I avoid you as much as I can!!! Take the 210... rather drive the extra 7 miles then be stuck in this traffic for hours!!! read more

Dear I-5 South, You made me late for the Angels game. As a result, I think you stink. I could have walked faster than driving on you. Your only redemption was other drivers. It's amazing that something as bad as you can bring out the good in LA drivers. They suddenly became polite and they actually allowed us to change lanes. That is the only thing good that I can say about you. Hope to never see you again, Julie D. read more

November 26, 2008: It's just a little rain people. The sky is not falling. Quit freaking out and drive before I completely lose it and cause the mother of all CHiPs accidents. Pop Quiz: When it rains in LA, you should: a) Never drive faster than 7 mph. b) Drive twice as fast as usual. c) Use your brakes quickly and often. d) All of the above e) None of the above You all fail at driving. read more

The Worst FREEWAY IN LA! Outside of the LA/OC this freeway is not so bad, but within the confirms of LA/OC Metro RUN AWAY!!! This is always my last option to take of every road out there. Literally I plan my trips to avoid this road. The portion from the LA/OC border till you are in the San Fernando Valley is the worst maintained road that I know of. Lots of narrow lanes, not enough lanes, ridiculous usage, unending traffic jams (even at am), potholes galore, I mean please do not take this road unless you absolutely have to. None the less the sections that head south to the SD border and North from LA into oregon and then washington beyond are much more smooth. I can say that I have taken this route into Oregon but I havent been through other cities on the 5 except for sacramento and its well kept and fairly wide in that area. The rest of the route between cities is almost all entirely 2 lanes in each direction with some spots going or 4 lanes each direction! So if you want to head to some other part of the world from So Cal take it! If you want to drive around LA, avoid it like the plague! read more

The 5 is not that bad. If you're complaining about the 5, try driving on the 101! That one's worse!

OMG. before i moved to los angeles from the east bay, i had no idea that a freeway could make someone suicidal. the 5 freeway (because that is how people in LA talk about freeways) takes a should be pleasant notion of getting out of a big city for a weekend escapade, or three day vay cay, and turns it into something worth hyperventilating. every time i drive on it, i hate myself. i start fights with my boyfriend and write nasty emails (in my head) to people. i also always put agro music in my cd player when i am sooo totally over the misfits being that i am a GROWN up. then, strangely, when i cut over to the 101 to hollywood, i am in love with my boyfriend again and want to bake cookies and do all this other domestic crap that involves shopping at a michael's arts & crafts store. all in all - stay AWAY from this freeway. especially between valencia and anaheim which, like, takes 2 hours to get from one exit to the next. the only reason i gave it 2 stars instead of one is b/c it's a direct shot to I-580 which goes to oakland. east bay love. this is ephi b, signing off. read more

I've know about you and your treachery for years - and you get a single star since you are a delight to the eyes once you hit San Diego, headed south, past the 8 freeway, where you show off the shining gems that Downtown and the waterfront are...and wonderful again headed into northern CA/southern Oregon. However, I now drive you regularly to and from various job sites in both the LA area and Central California and the 5 through Los Angeles is the bane of my existence. I must be on the road by 5:30 am at the LATEST if I think I'm going to get through LA in less than 2 hours (the goal is 1 hour) - and on the return trip from the Grapevine I MUST HIT YOU IN THE BURBANK AREA NO LATER THAN 1:30 PM If I think for one second I'm going to get to Santa Ana in less than 5 hours. Yes, you read right - 5 fucking hours. I once hit Burbank at 2-ish, going on 3. I did not get back to my office until 8-ish, 9-ish pm - as in past mad. I think the only good thing about you is that you and your traffic have forced me to become hella creative, dodging traffic, taking various scenic and way-off-track routes to avoid you and that nonsense. I-5 - you and your traffic can turn any party out - but not in a good way, no. PS - Caltrans - next time a trucker goes over the rails and into the canyon north of Castaic, can you do us all a favor and put that shit on those damn electronic signs along the highway...you and that nonsense had me stuck on the mountain for over 2 hours in 100 degree weather with no way to get off the freeway or turn around...fuck amber alert - hows about road closure alert, eh? read more

This was a beautiful drive to Seattle/Everett, Washington once you get out of Los Angeles. Especially nice in the Mt Shasta area! read more

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Lessons I'm learning about the 5 (yeah, I grew up in LA so I call it "the"): 1. NOTHING is less than 30mins away during rush hr 2. A bird flying across the freeway is enough to distract drivers long enough to cause them to slow down and back up traffic for 50 miles behind them. 3. Merging is a brand new concept for drivers every day. 4. We need dedicated lanes for interchanges that are 5 miles long and others for people just going through (see the Dallas, TX freeway system). read more

You take me all the way from SD to the Bay. No tranistion. Cant complain. Traffic around LA, you suck, but its not your fault. Its the poeple. After that, no big deal. You're speed limit is 70. Highest in California. Good Job. In Norcal. Your lanes were the smoothest and straightest. I did 155 on my bike there. I wouldn't dare try that in Socal. read more

High five for I-5! Yeah, it can be frustrating at times, but this road gets you from A to B, all the time, every time. The Central Valley is boring, but I dunno...it's also peaceful driving through it. It's cool how downtown Sacramento comes out of nowhere. The stretch of highway that's in LA really needs to be repaved or something(yeah, easy for me to say), but coming to San Diego...beautiful! Planes fly in for a landing at SD International and come RIGHT OVER the freeway. It's quite a sight. So yeah, High Five for I-5! read more

Always bad. No matter weekend or weekday... morning or night. It makes the 10 FWY look angelic. read more

I don't remember a smell at Coalinga. On the drive back to LA from SF, my boyfriend usually starts falling asleep around Ventura County, so if you see a car drifting towards the center divider, that's us (we fly the route now). We've driven this through Orange County in zero visibility because of fog. I wish it didn't have though blinding electric billboards in Industry and La Mirada. When we get a new car, we'll probably drive this at least to Portland. read more

5 mph is no bueno. Oh wait, I just hit 15 mph....pretty sure I'm glad I have this phone to keep me entertained on this commute back to the OC. Hum dee dum, dee dum... another... 2....hrs...to...go. read more

Interstate 5 - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This looooong stretch of highway takes me away from home in L.A, brings me to my other home in NorCal but it always brings me back to L.A safe and sound. Through dense fog, pouring rain, freezing temperatures, hot temperatures and snowtipped mountains you never sease to let me down. Many rely on you, many take advantage of you but in return you always pull us through. The all too common F.F chains that scatter the off-ramps like confetti. The rollercoaster prices on gas pump signs that people play like a game a chance. The eclectic drivers you pass over and over again. The hellashish scent of Cowsvitze. The amazing mountainous views you always deliver. As much as I hate that drive... I always look forward to it. read more

This deserves a star or two just for existing and allowing people to get to wherever they need to be. As for me, I never take this and avoid at all costs! I've taken it about maybe 3-5 times and have noticed that it's always packed and have many big trucks. read more

lol omg..i never knew I could review a freeway!!! So I'll give this a 4 for taking me all the way from San Diego to San Francisco!!!! minus points for being congested at certain parts...especially starting around Norwalk and LA of course read more

Dear 5 freeway, "One night and one more time Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories even though they weren't so great" Thanks for all those memories we shared together during my college years (mainly because I had to ride you in order to get from LA to SD); I sure had a load of fun going up and down on you. Thanks for getting the job done, even if you did the deed sloppily; you're a hot mess, but you still love to get used. Thanks for being such a slut and giddily opening your passageway to allow every single car in Southern California to enter you. Thanks for all those near-heart-attacks and near-accidents from those big rigs, trucks, buses, and idiot drivers racing down your narrow lanes and threatening to slam into me. Thanks for always allowing me to satisfy my need for speed... LOL JK. I meant the complete opposite. Thanks for providing all that ample free parking whenever I wanted to enjoy some Disneyland fireworks from the freeway. Thanks for passing alongside the San Onofree Nuclear Boobs (aka the San Onofree Nuclear Generating Station), which used to make me giggle like a shy little schoolgirl--and they just HAD to be painted that color too, didn't they? Thanks for running through the San Clemente Border Patrol station, which always caused the freeway to back its ass waaaay up (you done make Ja Rule proud!) whenever there was a traffic checkpoint. Thanks for that time when my friends and I got distracted and ended up in LA for our fourthmeal (okay, that was probably our fault, but you should have said something). Thanks for that one time when you confused me, and I almost ended up in Mexico. Thanks for that one time when I almost hit a coyote near the Sand Canyon Rd exit at 2am, but in my defense, it darted out of nowhere. Thanks for always being empty at 4am; it made our alone time together seem more intimate, even if I was 90% asleep while I was on you. I mostly hated you, I-5, but I needed you, and so I used you... but only because you allowed me to, so thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories, even though they weren't so great. read more

I often drive on Interstate 5 from LA to San Diego, this is a relatively flat coastal route along the beach very scenic during Sunset. Its best to return in the evening from San Diego as the Boarder check post next to the nuclear plant is closed after lunch. I do not like driving close to the nuclear plant due to the risk of radiation. The Highway patrol is rarely seen and people speed up-to 75. If you go north of LA on interstate 5 .You will pass through the scenic mountain portion with steep grades of the Tejon Pass (elevation 4,183 ft) . This portion is called the grapevine and once you have crossed the Tehachapi Mountains you end up in the flat and arrow straight freeway going towards Sacramento. You will pass through the fruit basket of USA the most fertile lands of Fresno county. This area is mired in a water dispute where the water has been reduced to farms and one can see dried up trees for many miles http://www.hcn.org/blogs/goat/california-water-conflicts-heat-up I love driving up and down the Interstate-5. I love to stop at the farm shop areas along the freeway stops. read more

Written during a cab ride on I-5 on 11/26/08 at 7:15 a.m. I-5 brings back so many fond memories. For some, I5 is just another busy, congested freeway. For me, it's a reminder of special times I shared and spent with someone in my past. All those wonderful trips we took together to Disneyland (a fast, straight freeway drive from the Bay Area to So Cal). It was us and Mr. C. All the rental car experiences we shared both good, bad, and also sometimes funny. The long rides where we shared so much laughter and fun chats. And, how we always stopped off Kettleman for In 'n Out which became a regular routine. All these beautiful memories, I will forever cherish in my heart. As I ride in this cab, going down I5 South, every landmark, every scenery, all that I see in the rear view mirror is the reflection of the past and is a constant reminder of the little moments that meant so much. I will never forget. But I look ahead through the windshield, it's back to the present time - focusing on my destination, my recent trips on I5 now are no longer fun vacations but rather all for model work. Oh, how so much has changed through time. But, I am and will be better in time. read more

Oh God. Don't get me started with the I-5. Try driving from San Clemente to Hollywood area. I can tell you exactly where the traffic jams are. First is near the Mission Viejo area. Then in Jamboree exit in Tustin. Then it jams up when 6 lanes turns into 3 over at Manhattan Blvd/ La Mirada area. Then traffic jam on the 605 overpass. Then just pass city of Commerce in the East LA Interchange (where the 101, 5 and 10 split). Total time (if you're lucky), 3 hours. Believe me, people. Get a GPS and learn the side streets or just wait till 9 p.m. hits. Ugh. read more

I hate the 5 Freeway because of all the BIG trucks that are always using this freeway at all hours of the day or night. It is the the biggest highway to get across all of California so of course it"s unavoidable with traffic and cars that will be going to San Diego and that means plenty of police Highway Patrol on the freeway also. Your best bet always drive the speed limit on this freeway because it is well enforced. It's nickname is called:The Parking Lot for a reason you will be sitting in long hours of traffic so i always have water or drinks especially now that the heat is on! read more

You get it done, but you get it done sloppy. You're a mess, but you still get used. You are ugly, but I still kick it with you. I hate you, but I still need you. Screw you I-5. read more

scene: driving back home on cruise control on the 5 northbound. so we're cruisin at 78mph midday in the fresno area under the hot scorching sun. a/c on blast and there's not much of a sight to see. mostly farmlands... barren. they call it the "dust bowl". anyhow, i notice a small gathering of dust trying to form from the distance. tiny and just off to the right of the freeway. as we approach, this dust cloud forms into a mini tornado and starts gaining more speed. we're inching closer to this monster, and as our car drives past, the tornado goes right through my car. shook my car like crazy... pretty scary if you ask me. and it was only a mini tornado. that was awesome! hehe read more

Im giving the 5 fwy 3 stars this morning and the drivers on the 5 get no stars!!! Im not claiming to be the greatest driver when it rains but why do people freeze on the freeway when we have the lightest little drizzle? why!! read more

Since moving to southern California during the smoky and charred summer of 2009, my relationship with Interstate 5 has been one marked by harmony, peace, and expedience. Last Thursday, all of that changed. It was late when we left Disneyland, heading north on the 5. Our driver--a level-headed and composed guy--was in good spirits, having just completed a day at the "happiest place on earth." At the first sign of congestion, he was even cracking jokes. 45 minutes later and just barely north of the confluence of the 605 freeway, he was a reduced man, a mere shadow of the boy who was skipping along main street proclaiming, "the joy of Disneyland." Getting stuck in traffic is one thing. Watching a man, usually marked by gentleness and sobriety, disintegrate is completely another. That such cruel regress was the result of road work on a historic California freeway, is not just regrettable, but tragic. I pin all the fault on the I-5 and its totally unadvisable lane-narrowing over a 4-5 mile stretch. Please know that I will not be recommending this road to anyone in the future, if similar circumstances persist. read more

Worst Service in california roads, do nothing, holds traffic for no reason for 22 hours, THE WORST!

Can u say B O R I N G? Like, wow. SO BORING I almost fell out of my car. Really disappointed to know that my tax dollars are helping maintain this brain-drain of an interstate. Can I have my money back? read more

Worst. Highway. Ever. It's boring. No scenic views. Also, there are only two lanes! So when a truck going 41mph is trying to pass a truck going 40mph, it holds up traffic for miles for an hour. Would you believe it's the most direct way from SF to LA? read more