Dangitanayways!.....LA,CA is a rookies nightmare lolz! One wrong turn and you're so fubar. I got lost somewhere between Chatsworth and Sante Fe Springs when I made a wrong turn off the freeway,one false move down there and you're in for a scary ride heh heh. I got lucky and didn't get stuck and I was only a little late for my appointment,whew! Screw the traffic,I'm going even slower next time,they can honk all they want. I'm driving in granny gear if I have to so I don't get lost again.
For some reason I have a good sense of direction but miss my turn lots. I hate going somewhere for the first time for. Once I have been there once I will never forget. One of my big fears as a driver, getting into a jackpot. Especially now that I am driving Super B's
Get a Thomas Bros. guide & a GPS. Check one against the other. I've been running LA since the 1970's & if I don't know the address I still check. I use XM 222 or fm 101.1 for traffic updates. I check XM before Wheeler Ridge just in case. There is a really good AM station for traffic but I can't remember the frequency. I still got fubar a few months ago when they closed 5 in the middle of the night for construction & didn't mark the detour clearly. The GPS chose that exact time to crash/freeze & I got an over the curbs & through the bushes tour of some of Orange County's better condominium communities. Not fun in a spread axle without a dump valve.
Sometimes it just happens, the trucking gods seize control of your brain. I always try to go in at night or very early AM. The worst traffic is always the 5-405-101 conglomeration. I try to avoid 405 if possible. If I have to come north on 5 in the afternoon I take 605 north to the 210. I'm sure there's guys on here who have done it more/longer than me & can offer additional advice.
I always miss the 287 exit going south on 87 in New York. I try to pay attention, but next thing I know I am at the toll booth. Yuck
Wish I'd of had that option,first appointment was in the morning at 08:00 to deliver and second was a drop & hook at 14:00 with a load bound for Portland.