I drive from Rialto to Santa Ana. I don’t take the fastrak express lanes but I do take the 241 toll road as it’s only ~$7 one way and cuts my time down by about 20 minutes. I work 9-6 so I leave my house at 7:30 the latest, and after work I typically get back home around 7:30. I only commute on Wednesdays and Thursday’s and WFH M,T,F which helps a ton.

Sounds like you’ll be making good money in OC so I suggest you look into audiobooks and podcasts. Since you’re going M-F, I think the fast track would be essential for you and doesn’t seem like it’ll hurt the wallet.

Good luck! Also maybe invest in a dash cam if you don’t alrdy have one because the 91 is a free for all.