California - Ritz-Carlton Laguna=>Staples center drive time?

We are staying at The Ritz Carlton on a conference later in Nov. We have a Sat. aft free and were thinking of driving up to catch the Kings play our beloved Calgary Flames at Staples Center. Our meeting ends at 11:30p.m. and the
game starts at 1:00 p.m. I've seen drive times from
55 min to upwards of 1 &1/2 hours listed on mapquest,
AAA etc. Although I know one can't predict wrecks, etc, but anyone have an opinion on the time needed for this trip on a Saturday afternoon in Nov? Is there a good chance
we'd miss a chunk of the 1st period?

On a Saturday it will take about an hour. Keep in mind you will have to park at Staples.

From the R-C, do *not* take Hwy 1 through Laguna Beach....traffic can be very congested on weekends especially if the weather is nice. Instead, take Crown Valley Parkway to I-5. I-5 North to I-405 North to I-110 North. Staples Center is adjacent to the I-110/I-10 junction and signage is good.

From the Laguna Niguel area you will also see a Hwy 73 toll road. It's not worth the $5+ toll unless there's a big tie-up on I-5 or I-405 south of John Wayne Airport.

Mapping software or a GPS may route you up I-5 straight towards downtown LA. However when I-5 crosses into LA County, there is massive construction going on and the carpool lanes end abruptly at the county line. So I-5 will be shortest distance and longest time. By the way, carpool (HOV) lanes are legal if there are 2+ occupants (driver and at least one passenger) in the vehicle.

Kenish:

Thanks so much for the tips- we have decided to make the trip as you
have given us some confidence that we can make it on time with the
alternate routings!

Bob in Calgary