Live I-5 Traffic Reports: San Diego, California
What’s I-5 traffic like RIGHT NOW? Real-time San Diego traffic information. Our maps show updates on road construction, traffic accidents, travel delays and the latest traffic speeds. Data is automatically updated every 5 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
Real-Time San Diego Area Traffic MapReal-Time traffic information and alerts about accidents, police, and hazards Courtesy of WAZE.com
San Diego Area Traffic CamerasLive Feeds From the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans)
I-5 northbound north of I-8
I-5 northbound south of 6th Avenue
I-5 northbound north of CA15
I-5 at First Street
I-5 at SR 94
I-5 at Cesar Chavez Parkway
San Diego Area Weather Forecast5-Day Weather Forecast Courtesy of Weather Underground
California DOT TweetsSocial Media Posts From The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans)
California Road NewsLatest Headlines From The I-5 Exit Guide Newsroom
San Diego Area Insider TipsThe Inside Scoop From Seasoned I-5 Travelers
Rush Hour is Brutal (and Long): Avoid I-5 between 6-9 AM and 3-7 PM if possible. The stretch from downtown to La Jolla backs up severely. If you must travel during these times, consider the I-805 bypass on the east side—it's often faster despite being longer.
The Merge at I-8 is a Nightmare: The I-5/I-8 interchange downtown is consistently one of the worst bottlenecks. Stay in your lane early and don't try to be a hero cutting in last minute—locals won't let you in.
Border Traffic Backs Up for Miles: If heading southbound toward Mexico, traffic can back up 5+ miles from the border, even mid-day. Use the Ready Lanes app to check wait times. Northbound can also slow dramatically due to Border Patrol checkpoints.
Left Lanes Are HOV During Commute Hours: Many sections have HOV restrictions (2+ passengers) during rush hours. The fines are steep ($490+) and the California Highway Patrol actively patrols these lanes.