LAX Alternate Routes for 405 Closure, Carmageddon

Published: September 26, 2012Posted in: 405, Closures, Construction, Los Angeles, traffic
LAX Alternate Routes for 405 Closure, Carmageddon

What is an alternate or best route to LAX to avoid the 405 closure?

That’s probably one of the most asked questions and here are several ways to get to LAX during the big 405 shut down!

Also, make sure to check out a FREE APP from Sigalert.com that can help you monitor traffic conditions during Carmageddon as well as a special half-price offer for their premium service!

Here are the answer to our readers questions about alternate routes to LAX:

Good morning, my family wants to gu to topanga beach what is the suggested route to take? We are coming from Azusa.

That’s easy.. take the 210 WEST to the 134 WEST to 101 NORTH and exit at Topanga Cyn Blvd (27). Make a left and go under the freeway and drive through the hills to PCH.

I am traveling from San Francisco to Venice beach can you tell me the best route to take with the closure on the 405?

If you are coming via 101 SOUTH – exit at Topanga Cyn (27) and make a right.  Drive through the hills and make a left on Pacific Coast Hwy (1) and take that to Lincoln Blvd (1)

If you are coming via 5 SOUTH – take that to the 110 SOUTH to the 10 WEST to Lincoln (1) and south to Venice.

Can you please give me the best route from San Diego to Bishop Alemany in Mission Hills and advice on possible traffic issues. We need to be there at 11am Sunday morning (leave by 7:30?) and will be coming back around 2pm. Will the 405 closure affect our route?

You can take the 5 NORTH all the way up to Brand Blvd.

Get off the freeway and make a right turn, then an immediately left on Laurel Cyn.   Make a left on Rinaldi to take you right to Bishop Almery.

Leaving at 7:30am you should miss most of the traffic.  Coming back you’ll run in to a bit more traffic – so take 5 SOUTH to the 10 EAST to the 710 SOUTH to the 91 EAST to avoid all the congestion between Los Angeles and Orange County.

What’s the best route from LAX to UCLA on Saturday?

You can take La Cienega Blvd northbound to Sunset Blvd westbound.

My daughters are flying into LAX and renting a car from the airport to head North to Lancaster. The normal route for them is 405N to 5N to 14N

Their plane arrives after midnight. Will she be able to get on the 405? What is the alternative route? What street should she used to get on the freeway if the freeway is open at this time?

No, the 405 will close at midnight.  What they can do is take the 105 EAST out of the airport to the 110 NORTH. From the 110 NORTH they can get on the 5 NORTH and take that to the 14 NORTH.

I’m going to LAX from Woodland Hills, San Fernando Valley on Sunday 30th in the morning from the 101. What alternate route is best to take to LAX?

Sunday morning traffic is generally light.  Take the 101 and continue past the 405.  Then when you get to the 110 freeway, take it south to the 105 WEST and follow the signs in to the airport.

Hi I am flying into LAX on Saturday then heading to Santa Barbara… What is the best way to get there?

When leaving LAX follow the signs for the 105 EAST.  You can then take the 110 NORTH to the 5 NORTH to the 126 WEST to the 101 NORTH.  That will keep you as far away from the 405 as possible, minimizing traffic impacts.

I am going to the LAX on Sat 9.29 afternoon @2pm from LA downtown.  Could you please let me know of alternative routes? 

Take the 110 or 710 SOUTH to the 105 WEST and follow the signs for LAX.

I need to return my rental car at LAX. My flight deprts at 9:30 am on Sunday, so I’m definitely leaving Santa Maria pretty early. What’s the best way for me to get there?

Coming that early in the morning on a Sunday you shouldn’t encounter much traffic.   Driving on the 101, continue past the 405 and in to Downtown Los Angeles.  Take the 110 SOUTH to the 105 WEST and follow the signs for LAX.

 

We are meeting my daughter at LAX on Friday the 28th – what is the best route to get to LAX from Santa Barbara – her international flight arrives at 9:40am – we plan to leave SB at 5am just to be safe!

Luckily the freeway will be open on Friday morning.

You can take 101 SOUTH to 405 SOUTH right down to LAX.  Coming from Santa Barbara at 5am, you’ll probably hit the 405 around 6:30am – that’s the start of the morning commute.  You should miss most of the traffic and the good news is that Friday mornings are generally lighter than any other day.

Since you’re leaving so early, you’ll arrive in plenty of time.  If the plane arrives at 9:40am, it’s probably going to take another 30-45 mins at least to collect her bags and go through customs.

We have guests traveling  both domestic and international. The domestic departure is at 1:25 pm and the international departure is at 9:00 pm. Our normal route to LAX is via 91 freeway west to 605 freeway north to 105 freeway west to the Sepulveda exit for LAX. Is this the best route from the Riverside area? If I use this route and take all guests at the same time to LAX how early would you suggest I leave Riverside? If you have any alternative suggestions I would be most grateful.  Thanks in advance for your help.

The route you mentioned is the best to the LAX area from Riverside.

According to Caltrans officials, traffic coming from the south toward LAX isn’t expected to be as impacted.  There will be extra traffic on the 105 between the 110 and the Airport since that is part of the detour route.  You’re most likely to get stuck in traffic through that stretch.

Caltrans tells us that they believe the worst traffic will be between 10am and 2pm, and 6pm to 8pm.  Your 1:25pm departure to the Philippines will be the toughest.  For international flights, you’re usually supposed to be at the airport 3 hours before the flight.

I would depart Riverside between 8:30am and 9am to make sure you get to the airport on time and avoid the bulk of the delays.

On Saturday night I have a red eye flight from LAX and I will be coming from the east taking the 605 south to the 105 west to the 405 north.  Will I be impacted by the closure at all?

It depends on when your flight departs, but you should have minimal delays as Caltrans expects much less traffic impacts for people coming from the east and south.

They’re telling us the worst traffic is expected to be between 10am and 2pm, and between 6pm and 8pm.

You’re most likely to catch traffic on the 105 from the 110 to the Airport.

The drive from Moreno Valley to LAX is usually around 1 ½ hrs  depending on how fast you drive ;)     I would add in an extra hour just in case.

On Monday morning at 4 am coming from Westlake Village, can I go over Kanan, go south on PCH, go on the 10 East to 405 South to LAX?

That will work just fine.  Traffic should be light, so you should have minimal delays.  

Hi. I’m coming from Orange County picking up a passenger @LAX on Sunday. Arrival is @ 7:20am. Which is the best route for me? Thank you very much for your help.

You should have little trouble leaving that early in the morning as Sunday traffic is generally very light anyway.

Coming from South County you can take the 405 to Century Blvd and head west.  Coming out of North County you can just take the 91 WB to 605 NB to 105 WB.

Caltrans says the worst of the traffic will be between 10am and 2pm, so you’re barely missing it.

I will be in Santa Monica (around 3rd street promenade area) and need to get to LAX Saturday during the 405 closure.

Questions… 

1.) Which side streets do you recommend (fastest route) taking to get to LAX? 

2.) How many hours before my fight should I leave for LAX?

If you’re at 3rd St promenade, you might want to head south on Lincoln Blvd (State Route 1) and that will take you directly to the airport and avoid the 10 freeway.  We’re not anticipating as much traffic headed south as we are north to the 10 but you still should leave 3 to 3 1/2 hours before your flight to make it to the airport on time.

It also depends what time on Saturday.  Caltrans is expecting the heaviest traffic between 10am and 2pm, and 6pm and 8pm. 

We are flying in to LAX at 10 pm on Friday night.  Our daughter is driving up from San Diego to pick us up.   I JUST read of the 405 closing and am freaking out! lol 

They are stationed with the Navy in San Diego and have been there a year.   None of us know the freeway system, etc..  

Can you tell me if this closure affects the LAX to San Diego route?    IF SO, what alternate route she can take?   

This is terrifying for us!  Thank you so much!

You should have no problems because the closure is about 10 miles north of LAX and won’t even start until midnight.   It does not affect the route from San Diego or traffic coming from the south.

To get to LAX all she has to do to take the I-5 northbound to the I-405 northbound and exit at Century Blvd.  Follow the signs right in to the airport.

Thank for providing great information. How bad will traffic be on Sunday Night @ 8pm from El Monte 605 to Long Beach Airport.

We are traveling from Costa Mesa in Orange county to LAX On this coming Sunday. Should be any issue for us to go to LAX

It depends on what time you’re going.  The official word is that traffic is expected to be the heaviest between 10am and 2pm, and 6pm and 8pm.

However, Caltrans says they don’t expect much trouble for people coming from the east or south to LAX.  The worst congestion you’ll probably see is if you use the 105 between the 110 and the airport as that is part of the detour route.

Coming from Costa Mesa, you can just exit the 405 at Century and follow the signs to the airport.  I’d give yourself an extra half hour just to be safe but I wouldn’t worry too much.

I am traveling from Bakersfield to LAX!  I know I take the 99 which turns into the 5 going south. After that, I need more explicit directions.  If you could help me, I would much appreciate it!  

Coming from Bakersfield, continue on the 5 south, then take the 110 south to the 105 west which will take you to LAX.  Be aware that there will be extra traffic on the 110 and 105 because that is the main detour route for the closure so give yourself at least an extra two hours for the journey if it’s during the day.

I’m new to California and live in Carlsbad.   I have to pick up my grandkids Saturday at Orange County Airport.  My directions tell me I need to take 405 to McAruthur Blvd.  As my grandkids will be flying alone I’m very worried about being on time.  Can you help me with another route?  Thanks!

Fortunately, Orange County won’t be impacted by the 405 closure as that is 40 miles to the north.  However, the Orange County Fair is starting this weekend, which is nearby John Wayne Airport, so you may encounter some minor slowing.  That being said, your best bet is still to take the 405 to Macarthur and just give yourself an extra 10-15 minutes.  So I would leave Carlsbad about an hour and a half to two hours before they arrive.

The other thing to be concerned about is if you are coming during the day on Saturday, the drive back may be slow as the 5 south gets clogged up out of San Clemente to Oceanside between 11a and 4pm or so.  Plan for that as well.

As we said above - If you have questions about the 405 closure,  feel free to contact us via Facebook, on Twitter @TotalTrafficLA, or via email at 405@totaltrafficla.com

 


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