<p>Commuting from Pasadena and this has to be the worst interchange ever, what are some alternatives that are faster?</p>
<p>Google would have you take the 110 (Harbor fwy) South to the 10 (Santa Monica Fwy) West.
You could also try the canyon routes (Laurel Canyon, Coldwater Canyon) from the 101 to Sunset. If you could find a carpool partner, that would help you on the Harbor Freeway.</p>
<p>You actually meant the 101N. What time of day do you make the drive? The shortest freeway route is the 110-10 through downtown LA, but that can be brutal at morning or evening rush hours. If you’re not traveling then, though, it’s 2-4 miles shorter than any other freeway route. You could also consider dropping south from Pasadena on surface streets to the 10 and bypassing the worst of the downtown traffic. But that puts you on the 10 for much longer, and that can be bad too. Coldwater, Beverly Glen, etc., are options, but that means several miles on twisting hilly roads, no matter which of the canyons you take from the valley. </p>
<p>An odd one, but the shortest, physically: 210-134-5 south. Off at Los Feliz, west to Western, south to Sunset, and take Sunset about 8.5 miles. That’s 23.5 miles from Lake/Colorado to Sunset/Hillgard. But Sunset is no piece of cake at busy times.</p>
<p>Also, re previous post, there are no carpool lanes on the 110 until after you’re south of downtown, so disregard that. Doesn’t apply to you.</p>
<p>Basically, you can’t get there from here. As you know.</p>
<p>How would I take those side streets instead of 405</p>
<p>I commute from east of Pasadena multiple times per week… here are my main routes…</p>
<ol>
<li>210W - 134W - 101N - 405S (generally good until you hit the 405, considering getting off and taking Sepulveda or Coldwater down to Sunset)</li>
<li>210W - 110s - 10W - 405N (kinda crappy, especially when going through downtown at peak times.</li>
<li>210W - 134W - 5S exit Los Feliz. Take Los Feliz through Griffith Park and it will funnel you onto Sunset or Hollywood Blvd, take those all the way over the UCLA.</li>
</ol>
<p>If you come during rush hour (7-10AM, 3-7PM), forget about it… any route is a mess… too many traffic lights on surface street, and freeways are parking lots. </p>
<p>Otherwise, during non-rush hour: 210-134-101-405.</p>
<p>Don’t be a lazy bum. Walk to school. It’s good for your health.</p>
<p>Re: the side streets…google maps is your friend. I don’t think we can give you a lot more detail than we already have.</p>
<p>mulholland drive is a less crowded road, but when you get to Beverly Glen, the line at the intersection gets really long.</p>
<p>Returning from the Rose Bowl, if traffic is bad we sometimes just take 210W to whatever freeway connects to the 405S (138W?)</p>