As the sun sets Wednesday night, Los Angeles’ attention will briefly focus on the 405 Freeway, as it does every Thanksgiving night.
Television news helicopters fly overhead, reminding the world that there may be no traffic worse than the 405.
For more than a decade, photos and videos of the epic blockade stretching from LAX to the West Side have served as the unofficial start to the weekend and a bit of poetic justice for snowy East Coasters who envy our warm Thanksgiving Day.
But Caltrans traffic data reviewed by The Times shows that Wednesday night is not the worst.
Although speeds around Thanksgiving are well below average, Tuesday is actually the worst day for traffic on that stretch of highway, according to a Times analysis. Information about Caltrans show And the data shows that Monday is even slightly worse than Wednesday.
The graph below shows the average speed on the 405 in Los Angeles County in both directions for the five weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
Although overall traffic was the worst in 2019 before improving in 2020 due to the pandemic, speeds were well below average (405 last year), at 53.7 mph, every Tuesday and Wednesday leading up to the Day of Action Thank you for the last five years.
Marie Montgomery, spokeswoman for the Automobile Club of Southern California, said the Tuesday-Wednesday collision will be nationwide, “and there may be a lot of activity coming back into the city in the afternoon and evening.”
Although Thanksgiving Eve was bad for twenty years, traffic continued: “It moved more and more toward Tuesday,” he said.
As traffic worsened Wednesday, “people tried to get in before the holiday,” he said.
Mornings provide an opportunity to avoid the rush due to lighter traffic when people are off work and schools are closed, Montgomery said.
A Times analysis of the 405 shows that the Tuesday before Thanksgiving was the worst day on record in 2019: Cars averaged just 41.3 mph for the day.
Last year, that figure was higher, about 48 mph on Tuesday and 49 mph on Wednesday.
A closer look at the data shows that the afternoon rush hour was the worst time to drive the 405 on those two days, and it’s safe to say that will be the case again this year.
During Thanksgiving week 2023, the morning traffic peak (around 8 a.m.) was equally heavy on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before tapering off on Thursday and Friday.
However, the peak on Tuesday afternoon was significantly worse than other days: cars were traveling at only 55 km/h between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 26, 2023, in Los Angeles, along the 405 freeway.
(Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times)
“Caltrans advises motorists to use caution as a record number of Southern California residents are expected to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday,” the agency said. in the statement.
In Southern California, the Automobile Club of Southern California expects approximately 6.6 million visitors, a 2.8% increase from last year and a record level. 5.7 million people are expected to travel by car, and wet weather on the horizon has the potential to make roads slower and more dangerous, Caltrans said.
Those who need to drive in Los Angeles County this week would be wise to do so during rush hour or wait until Thursday. However, family members may be willing to suffer an apocalyptic 405 if past data is any indication.
Times staff writer Shelby Grad contributed to this report.
**Beyond the “activity coming back into the city,” what other potential contributing factors, such as remote work arrangements or staggered holiday schedules, might be playing a role in the evolving Thanksgiving traffic patterns?**
## The 405 Thanksgiving Traffic Trap: An Interview
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News! Joining us today to discuss the perennial traffic nightmare that is the 405 freeway during Thanksgiving week are Marie Montgomery, spokesperson for the Automobile Club of Southern California, and Shelby Grad, journalist with the Los Angeles Times and contributor to this insightful article.
We’ll be digging into the surprising data recently released by Caltrans that challenges the long-held belief that Wednesday night is the worst time to be on the 405. Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
**Section 1: Challenging the Thanksgiving Eve Narrative**
* **Marie, the article cites that Caltrans data shows Tuesday, not Wednesday, as the worst traffic day on the 405 during Thanksgiving week. Why do you think this perception of Wednesday night being the worst persists?**
* **Shelby, your research revealed some interesting trends in traffic patterns leading up to Thanksgiving. Can you elaborate on how the traffic flow has shifted over the past few years, and what factors might be contributing to this change?**
**Section 2: Traffic Drivers and Predicting the Rush**
* **Marie, you mentioned that travel patterns are shifting toward Tuesdays. What are some of the key reasons behind this trend? Is it purely travel-related, or are there other factors at play?**
* **Shelby, the article highlights the role of “activity coming back into the city in the afternoon and evening” on Tuesday. Could you elaborate on what kind of activity this refers to? Are we talking about shoppers, travelers returning from short trips, or something else entirely?**
**Section 3: Steering Clear of the Gridlock: Strategies and Solutions**
* **Marie, with such high traffic volumes anticipated, what advice would you offer to motorists who absolutely need to use the 405 during Thanksgiving week?**
* **Shelby, the article mentions that mornings might offer a window of opportunity for lighter traffic. How consistent is this trend, and should drivers rely solely on this strategy?**
* **Marie, beyond timing, are there any alternative routes or modes of transportation that people could consider to avoid the 405 bottleneck during this busy time?**
**Section 4: The Bigger Picture: Implications and Future Trends**
* **Shelby, given the projected record number of travelers this Thanksgiving, do you see this traffic congestion pattern intensifying in the coming years?**
* **Marie, what long-term solutions does the Automobile Club advocate for to address recurring traffic problems on the 405 and other major roads in Southern California?**
**Conclusion:**
Thank you both for sharing your valuable insights on this crucial issue. As we approach another Thanksgiving holiday, let’s hope for safe travels and perhaps a smoother ride on the notorious 405 freeway. Stay tuned to World Today News for more insightful analysis on traffic patterns and transportation solutions.
