In terms of distance, the amount of effort saved by ditching the Costa Mesa-to-Mission Viejo portion of Interstates 405 and 5 doesn't appear to be much, and it isn't. But during rush hour, the 73 is a true time-saver. More than that, it's a lovely drive through the wild green coastal-close hills that most of Orange County doesn't even realize exist. It's just too bad the tolls set you back the cost of two Double-Doubles.
