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

Driving from Ojai to Twentynine Palms with a stop at Griffith Observatory on a weekday in June requires careful timing because Los Angeles traffic can be unpredictable. Griffith Observatory is located in the Hollywood Hills, which is accessible via busy freeways such as the US-101 and CA-134/CA-110 corridors.

Here are some key points to consider regarding traffic and timing:

LA morning rush hour generally starts around 6:30–7:00 a.m. and can last until 9:30–10:00 a.m., particularly on weekdays. The peak congestion is usually closer to 8:00 a.m.
Evening rush hour runs approximately from 3:30–7:30 p.m., but traffic around Griffith Observatory may be lighter in the late morning.
Leaving Ojai very early, around 5:30–6:00 a.m., can help you bypass the worst traffic on the US-101 heading south toward Los Angeles.

Recommended route options:

Option 1 (fastest for morning departure): Take US-101 S from Ojai, then merge onto I-405 S briefly before connecting to US-101 N toward Hollywood. Exit at Los Feliz Blvd to reach Griffith Observatory. This avoids most central LA freeways.
Option 2 (scenic alternative): Take CA-126 E to I-5 S, then CA-14 S toward Pasadena, connecting to CA-110 S to reach Hollywood. This is slightly longer but avoids heavy US-101 traffic near downtown.
Option 3 (if avoiding downtown entirely): Consider taking I-5 S to CA-14 S, then CA-210 W and CA-134 E to Griffith Observatory. This keeps you on larger freeways with fewer stoplights.

Other tips:

Arriving at Griffith Observatory before 9:00 a.m. is ideal to secure parking and enjoy a less crowded visit.
Plan your onward drive to Twentynine Palms via I-10 E, which is the main route through San Bernardino. Traffic is usually moderate on Tuesdays mid-morning, but check real-time conditions before leaving.
If your schedule is flexible, you could skip Griffith Observatory and plan a quick photo stop at a viewpoint along CA-2 (Angeles Crest Highway) to reduce city traffic exposure.

In summary, leaving Ojai around 5:30–6:00 a.m., using the US-101 or an alternate route, and arriving at Griffith Observatory before 9:00 a.m. should minimize traffic delays and give you a smoother start toward Twentynine Palms.

Ojai to Twentynine Palms

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