I-5 South Traffic in San Diego

As of 10:15 am PDT, I-5 South in San Diego is averaging 60 mph across 66 sensors, about normal for this time. The slowest stretch is near Sb 5 @ Harbor Dr at 17 mph (usually 17 mph). 6 sensors report stop-and-go traffic under 30 mph.

Open the live map of I-5 South →

Is I-5 South moving right now?

Slow stretches as of 10:15 am PDT, and why:

• Near Sb 5 @ Harbor Dr: 17 mph, likely the usual rush-hour slowdown here (usually 17 mph at this time).
• Near Wb Rte 76/mission: 22 mph, likely heavy traffic.
• Near S/o Santa Margarita: 28 mph, likely the usual rush-hour slowdown here (usually 30 mph at this time).
• Near .5 N/o Sta Margrita: 29 mph, likely the usual rush-hour slowdown here (usually 29 mph at this time).

Earlier in the last 24 hours

• 10:00 am: Traffic Hazard, I5 S / Main No (southbay)
• 9:10 am: Traffic Hazard, I5 S / Main No (southbay)
• 8:55 am: Traffic Hazard, I5 S / Via De La Valle So
• 6:00 am: Trfc Collision-Unkn Inj, I5 S / I5 S SR78 E CON
• 6:00 am: CFIRE-Car Fire, I5 S / I5 S Sr78 E Con
• 12:25 am: SIG Alert, I5 S / Rosecrans St Ofr
• 12:15 am: Trfc Collision-1141 Enrt, I5 S / Rosecrans St Ofr
• 11:45 pm: Traffic Hazard, I5 S / San Onofre Nuclear Plant So

Best time to drive I-5 South ("the 5")

Traffic is usually worst on Friday around 3 pm (about 45 mph). On weekdays the morning slowdown peaks around 8 am (62 mph on Thursdays) and the evening slowdown around 3 pm (45 mph on Fridays). Midday (10 am to 2 pm) averages 64 mph. On weekends it is slowest on Saturdays around 4 pm (58 mph).

Averages of every 5-minute reading we have recorded at this time of the week. Colors match the live map.

Questions

Why is I-5 South slow right now?

Near Sb 5 @ Harbor Dr: 17 mph, likely the usual rush-hour slowdown here (usually 17 mph at this time). Near Wb Rte 76/mission: 22 mph, likely heavy traffic. Near S/o Santa Margarita: 28 mph, likely the usual rush-hour slowdown here (usually 30 mph at this time). Near .5 N/o Sta Margrita: 29 mph, likely the usual rush-hour slowdown here (usually 29 mph at this time).

When is traffic worst on I-5 South in San Diego?

Traffic on I-5 South is usually worst on Friday around 3 pm (about 45 mph).

What is the best time to drive I-5 South in San Diego?

On weekdays, avoid around 8 am (62 mph on Thursdays) and around 3 pm (45 mph on Fridays). Midday (10 am to 2 pm) averages 64 mph, and early mornings and late evenings are fastest.

Is I-5 South busy right now?

As of 10:15 am PDT, I-5 South in San Diego is averaging 60 mph across 66 sensors, about normal for this time. The slowest stretch is near Sb 5 @ Harbor Dr at 17 mph (usually 17 mph). 6 sensors report stop-and-go traffic under 30 mph.

Drives that use I-5 South

Best times to leave for these trips, from typical traffic on I-5 South and the roads around it:

Anaheim to San Diego · Los Angeles to San Diego · Irvine to San Diego · LAX to San Diego · San Clemente to San Diego · Laguna Niguel to San Diego · Mission Viejo to San Diego · Oceanside to San Diego · Oceanside to SAN · Carlsbad to San Diego

Plan ahead: San Diego traffic tomorrow · Christmas traffic · Fourth Of July traffic · Labor Day traffic · Memorial Day traffic · Is San Diego traffic getting worse? · Traffic estimator

Other freeways in San Diego

I-5 North · I-8 East · I-8 West · I-15 North · I-15 South · SR-52 East · SR-52 West · SR-56 East · SR-56 West · SR-76 East · SR-76 West · SR-78 East · SR-78 West · SR-94 East · SR-94 West · SR-125 North · SR-125 South · SR-163 North · SR-163 South · I-805 North · I-805 South · SR-905 East · SR-905 West