Hey Brent, great video. I remember your old footage of this, it had an upbeat catchy tune, but this is much better quality. I drove the 73 going north a few months ago. I didn't have a transponder, so I had to pay cash, but it was worth the shortcut not having to deal with the I-5 and I-405 congestion and the amazing views. Got my CA 22 video uploaded, with CA 133 North coming up in the next day or two.
I'd love to re-edit this footage some day. It is truly one of the most thrilling freeway (or in this case tollway) drives in the state. The awesome views, elongated curves and fairly steep grades are so awesome in both directions.
The Toll roads are beautiful. This is a perfect example of why we need more gas taxes and tolls to spend on highway maintenance. This is what every freeway in the US should look like. Superb freeway/Tollway, very clean and well maintained. No old shitty signs from the 1970s either. lol
@georgiaroadgeek: Yeah, it's pretty amazing when you start driving down that 1+ mile, 6% grade, as you approach CA 133. That's gotta be one of the most awesome views in all of Greater Los Angeles. I-5 thru South County is great, too, but it doesn't have any 6% grades like what you saw in this video. Thanks for watching, my friend. :-)
Love the editing with all the road signs, etc. Would be cool to see a drive through here again as of present day, with the more unique signs with payment instructions displayed on-screen. They eliminated cash tolling nearly 3 years ago on the 73, 241, 133 & 261.
Hey there. Yes, I've improved my editing skills considerably since I released this video some 5+ years ago. I think you'd really enjoy my Sydney CBD freeway tour video, or even my newer releases of the Santa Monica Freeway or Interstate 405 over Sepulveda Pass (both released in 2015). Cheers!
Right on! Did you also happen to drive it in the southbound direction? Not that the northbound stretch is even remotely close to being boring, but descending down the 73 in the southbound direction, toward the CA 133 interchange at 75 MPH, is a really awesome experience. In case you're interested, I've improved my editing since releasing this CA 73 video, so I'll link you to one of my newest videos, and you can check it out on your own time. The Santa Monica Freeway, between the 405 and the 110 freeways. ua-cam.com/video/pM7mIQDPVrg/v-deo.html
FreewayBrent Hi Brent, as a matter of fact I did! However I got off on the first exit and was not able to experience it entirely. I am currently doing some research on the Toll Track USA app and just yesterday embarked on the 405s to the 133N to the 241N. The 241N is an excellent toll road with amazing views. I was in an m3 going down the slope and it was at times scary yet fun. Keep in mind this was at night and I could barely see anything however the view from the city lights in the horizon was definitely breathtaking. I highly recommend you try this stretch so you can experience and preferably during the day so I can watch as well :) Best, Tony.
@tigerwesti1: Yes, and that's exactly why I recorded it in the southbound direction. The northbound direction is great too, but you don't get quite the same thrill as one gets, driving southbound.
@HoltCalifornia Fastrak is accepted on every toll bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area, HOT lane facility (680, 91, 15), and major toll road (73, 125, 133, 241, 261) in California.
@FreewayTitan Yes, Brent had an original CA 73 video. This new video however, is light years ahead of the original, and that's saying the least. Amazing how much Brent's videos have come along.
I REALLY hope Brent has done every stretch of the Toll Roads so we can see Orange County's amazing toll road system. I would also like to see a vid of CA 91 through the express lanes.
Heh. Didn't quite LOL, but I smiled a wry smile seeing a Hummer in the preview pane for this video. Nice video, BTW. I hope to drive this stretch someday.
Ditto! Too bad it only rains as select times of the year. Another great video is the Ted Williams Parkway~CA 56 video..great views of suburban San Diego County taken in a very green spring setting! No tolls though..lol
@HoltCalifornia: freewaydan largely answered your question, but I'll elaborate a little bit more. FasTrak is the California statewide electronic toll collection system, which means it can be used along any toll facility in the state. FasTrak is also accepted for parking at San Francisco Int'l Airport. I know it wouldn't benefit many automobile owners, but I'd personally like to see all the electronic toll agencies merge together, so only one transponder...(cont. in next posting)
@HoltCalifornia: (cont. from part 1)...so only one transponder would be needed, which would be very convenient for nationwide truckers. I have 3 transponders in my car, with a 4th one probably in my future collection ("Good-To-Go!" in Washington State). In fact, I would like to see it expanded to cover all of Canada and perhaps even Mexico, too.
@PanzerVIZeke: CA 241 is another amazing drive, although I'm not sure the views are quite as dramatic as what you'll find along CA 73. I'm definitely in support of a higher gas tax (despite prices being $4+ a gallon in California now). The tolls along the Orange County network are fairly pricey, but you *do* get what you pay for. I can't even tell you how many collective hours of time I've saved, bypassing I-5, I-405, CA 55 and the western half of CA 91.
Here in New Jersey and New York E-Z pass works the same as California's fastrak. Also E-Z Pass is used to Pay Airport Parking in Newark,La Guardia, and JFK airports which are operated by the Port Authority of New Jersey and New York.
The traffic is light because the toll is sky-high LOL...I remember when it first opened, the tolls were only $0.50-0.75 on wknds..just to get people to ride it...now it's approaching the cost of a gallon of gas. One good thing though: They do have booth attendants. In San Diego, you're on your own: Exact change or not!
If going south from the 405 make sure you stay in that right lane to pay the toll if you don't have a pass. The sign comes up pretty quick and was confusing because it says fast trac on it too. Miss it and expect a fine over $57.50 as of this posting. If it was your 1st time however you get a waiver and I payed $6.25 Whew! You have 30 day's to pay it or your hit with the big fine hold on to your car seat ready $106.25
I'm guessing you haven't been on the Toll Roads since before May 2014? The TCA started video enforced tolling since then, which is faster and more efficient. The old toll plaza lanes are for trucks or autos with trailers. Everyone else has to use what used to be the FasTrak only lanes, even if you don't have it or an Express Account. A purple sign that reads "No FasTrak or Express Account ? Use one time toll" is posted right after you go under the cameras. You get have 5 days to pay the toll online, or you'll get a violation; Which is the same as the first price you mentioned - $57.50.
The only problem is poor signage ie: highway signage that doesn't spell out destinations of the mostly unamed toll roads. Also, why not name the roads we pay to ride on: 'tollways' versus the 'freeways' we ride for free. Sounds trivial, but makes sense. Again, what's with the poor destination signage on CA 133 and 241? I guarantee, both patronage and revenue would double/ triple if travelers only knew where the heck those beautiful highways was taking them to..high tolls and all!
But everyone doesn't want to pay the money to travel on a toll road, so in theory, it's supposed to be less traffic. Be that as it may, most people whine and complain about taxes and don't want to pay taxes to build new roads, so toll roads are the solution for new roads for the time being
aesthetics wise, way better than the toll free freeways in the LA basin :D nice vid
Hey Brent, great video. I remember your old footage of this, it had an upbeat catchy tune, but this is much better quality. I drove the 73 going north a few months ago. I didn't have a transponder, so I had to pay cash, but it was worth the shortcut not having to deal with the I-5 and I-405 congestion and the amazing views.
Got my CA 22 video uploaded, with CA 133 North coming up in the next day or two.
Okay I just drove this today from LA to SD and my god I thought I was in a different country. One of Calis Top roads if not top 10
I'd love to re-edit this footage some day. It is truly one of the most thrilling freeway (or in this case tollway) drives in the state. The awesome views, elongated curves and fairly steep grades are so awesome in both directions.
The Toll roads are beautiful. This is a perfect example of why we need more gas taxes and tolls to spend on highway maintenance. This is what every freeway in the US should look like. Superb freeway/Tollway, very clean and well maintained. No old shitty signs from the 1970s either. lol
PanzerVIZeke Gas tax is too expensive. I think road tax would just be a better idea.
what a beautiful, clean and green stretch of freeway! Gotta love California in the spring! great drive and tuneage!
@georgiaroadgeek: Yeah, it's pretty amazing when you start driving down that 1+ mile, 6% grade, as you approach CA 133. That's gotta be one of the most awesome views in all of Greater Los Angeles. I-5 thru South County is great, too, but it doesn't have any 6% grades like what you saw in this video. Thanks for watching, my friend. :-)
@ScrewdUPClickV2 .. I think the three mile segment was there for years before the tollway was built
Love the editing with all the road signs, etc. Would be cool to see a drive through here again as of present day, with the more unique signs with payment instructions displayed on-screen. They eliminated cash tolling nearly 3 years ago on the 73, 241, 133 & 261.
Hey there. Yes, I've improved my editing skills considerably since I released this video some 5+ years ago. I think you'd really enjoy my Sydney CBD freeway tour video, or even my newer releases of the Santa Monica Freeway or Interstate 405 over Sepulveda Pass (both released in 2015). Cheers!
Very well put video. I just ventured down this stretch for the first time, I really appreciated it!
Right on! Did you also happen to drive it in the southbound direction? Not that the northbound stretch is even remotely close to being boring, but descending down the 73 in the southbound direction, toward the CA 133 interchange at 75 MPH, is a really awesome experience.
In case you're interested, I've improved my editing since releasing this CA 73 video, so I'll link you to one of my newest videos, and you can check it out on your own time. The Santa Monica Freeway, between the 405 and the 110 freeways.
ua-cam.com/video/pM7mIQDPVrg/v-deo.html
FreewayBrent Hi Brent, as a matter of fact I did! However I got off on the first exit and was not able to experience it entirely. I am currently doing some research on the Toll Track USA app and just yesterday embarked on the 405s to the 133N to the 241N. The 241N is an excellent toll road with amazing views. I was in an m3 going down the slope and it was at times scary yet fun. Keep in mind this was at night and I could barely see anything however the view from the city lights in the horizon was definitely breathtaking. I highly recommend you try this stretch so you can experience and preferably during the day so I can watch as well :)
Best,
Tony.
FreewayBrent I did both northbound and southbound had to go from Costa Mesa to Laguna Niguel and back and the toll wasn't cheap but worth it
Very cool ride, the descent starting at 3:00 was really special, looks like an awesome road for driving, thumbs up!
Amazing! Thank you for all of your work! It is definitely appreciated.
@tigerwesti1: Yes, and that's exactly why I recorded it in the southbound direction. The northbound direction is great too, but you don't get quite the same thrill as one gets, driving southbound.
What a view. WIsh I'd've driven it back in '02 when Mary and I were in SoCal.
oh my, what a beautiful drive!
It'd be nice to do a re-edit of this, with my better editing skills from some of my more recent releases. Thanks for watching!
Does the FastTrak work in every toll? By this I mean does the FastTrak on the 73 work on the 91 Carpool lanes or on the i-15 in rancho bernardo?
Very nice video. Gives a good view on the beautiful landscape when driving downhill :-)
Some great views! Love it. Keep up the awesome work.
You should do Southern California during Sunset/Dusk!! That's my favorite times of the day!!
I've driven there at 2:30 am. You have the whole freeway to yourself but it gets super foggy. It's a beautiful drive in the day. 👍
@HoltCalifornia Fastrak is accepted on every toll bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area, HOT lane facility (680, 91, 15), and major toll road (73, 125, 133, 241, 261) in California.
Brent your videos are awesome man! keep it up!
@FreewayTitan Yes, Brent had an original CA 73 video. This new video however, is light years ahead of the original, and that's saying the least. Amazing how much Brent's videos have come along.
Sooo inpressive. Another good video you made. I´ll hope I can visit you one day. ^^
Another excellent video....but where do you get the great graphics for your videos - you know, the signs that look exactly like the real thing?
I REALLY hope Brent has done every stretch of the Toll Roads so we can see Orange County's amazing toll road system. I would also like to see a vid of CA 91 through the express lanes.
Heh. Didn't quite LOL, but I smiled a wry smile seeing a Hummer in the preview pane for this video. Nice video, BTW. I hope to drive this stretch someday.
Ditto! Too bad it only rains as select times of the year. Another great video is the Ted Williams Parkway~CA 56 video..great views of suburban San Diego County taken in a very green spring setting! No tolls though..lol
Wide and comfortable highway I see.
Hilly landscape look a bit familliar to me like on Kraków neighbourhood.
Thums up!
@HoltCalifornia: freewaydan largely answered your question, but I'll elaborate a little bit more. FasTrak is the California statewide electronic toll collection system, which means it can be used along any toll facility in the state. FasTrak is also accepted for parking at San Francisco Int'l Airport.
I know it wouldn't benefit many automobile owners, but I'd personally like to see all the electronic toll agencies merge together, so only one transponder...(cont. in next posting)
This road has some nice curves and the pavement looks in good shape.
@HoltCalifornia: (cont. from part 1)...so only one transponder would be needed, which would be very convenient for nationwide truckers. I have 3 transponders in my car, with a 4th one probably in my future collection ("Good-To-Go!" in Washington State). In fact, I would like to see it expanded to cover all of Canada and perhaps even Mexico, too.
Wow, very scenic route! Love it :)
Suppose somebody wanted to get on CA-73 and didn't have a fastpass. Would you go through paying a fare, like a regular toll or have to go around?
you'd get on, drive through the electronic toll lane, and when you get off, you go to THETOLLROADS.COM and pay within five (5) days.
how does one pay the toll if photographed ?
@PanzerVIZeke: CA 241 is another amazing drive, although I'm not sure the views are quite as dramatic as what you'll find along CA 73. I'm definitely in support of a higher gas tax (despite prices being $4+ a gallon in California now). The tolls along the Orange County network are fairly pricey, but you *do* get what you pay for. I can't even tell you how many collective hours of time I've saved, bypassing I-5, I-405, CA 55 and the western half of CA 91.
Here in New Jersey and New York E-Z pass works the same as California's fastrak. Also E-Z Pass is used to Pay Airport Parking in Newark,La Guardia, and JFK airports which are operated by the Port Authority of New Jersey and New York.
very nice video man
The traffic is light because the toll is sky-high LOL...I remember when it first opened, the tolls were only $0.50-0.75 on wknds..just to get people to ride it...now it's approaching the cost of a gallon of gas. One good thing though: They do have booth attendants. In San Diego, you're on your own: Exact change or not!
nice road and view
My favourite video from you :D
awesome, perfect: I really enjoyed the ride
Glad you enjoyed!
Hi their. Do we have to pay for it or it is free. ??
Great Video!!
Wow, thanks a lot!
@R34ization: Well hey, I'm glad you enjoyed the ride!
If going south from the 405 make sure you stay in that right lane to pay the toll if you don't have a pass. The sign comes up pretty quick and was confusing because it says fast trac on it too. Miss it and expect a fine over $57.50 as of this posting. If it was your 1st time however you get a waiver and I payed $6.25 Whew! You have 30 day's to pay it or your hit with the big fine hold on to your car seat ready $106.25
I'm guessing you haven't been on the Toll Roads since before May 2014? The TCA started video enforced tolling since then, which is faster and more efficient. The old toll plaza lanes are for trucks or autos with trailers. Everyone else has to use what used to be the FasTrak only lanes, even if you don't have it or an Express Account. A purple sign that reads "No FasTrak or Express Account ? Use one time toll" is posted right after you go under the cameras. You get have 5 days to pay the toll online, or you'll get a violation; Which is the same as the first price you mentioned - $57.50.
The very first exit of 73 North (or the very last exit of 73 South) is toll-free.
maintenance and ease of traffic
The only problem is poor signage ie: highway signage that doesn't spell out destinations of the mostly unamed toll roads. Also, why not name the roads we pay to ride on: 'tollways' versus the 'freeways' we ride for free. Sounds trivial, but makes sense. Again, what's with the poor destination signage on CA 133 and 241? I guarantee, both patronage and revenue would double/ triple if travelers only knew where the heck those beautiful highways was taking them to..high tolls and all!
@colder47: Thank you!
@Overlocked1: Thanks!
almost 9 bucks down the drain for following my gps, what a scam.
But everyone doesn't want to pay the money to travel on a toll road, so in theory, it's supposed to be less traffic. Be that as it may, most people whine and complain about taxes and don't want to pay taxes to build new roads, so toll roads are the solution for new roads for the time being
crooks
Amazing! Thank you for all of your work! It is definitely appreciated.