Best Driving Route To Lax Airport

Driving to LAX Airport can be a daunting task, especially if you're unfamiliar with the area. The airport is located in Los Angeles, California, and there are several ways to get there by car. You can either take the freeway or drive up the coast on Highway 1. However, be prepared for potential traffic delays, especially during rush hour. It's recommended to favour the left-most lanes on the main arrivals loop, called World Way, to access the parking structures.

Parking at LAX

When driving to LAX, you can either drive up the coast or take the freeways. If you are coming from the north, you may hit less traffic than if you are coming from the south. If you are coming from Seal Beach, you can take Highway 1 to Santa Monica to avoid the freeways. From Santa Monica, you can then take the 105 E exit to get to LAX.

Once you are on the ground level of LAX, you will be on the main arrivals loop called World Way. Stay in the leftmost lanes to find the parking structures. Pick a parking structure close to your pickup terminal and turn left. Keep an eye out for the entrances to the parking structures. If you miss a turn, don't worry, as World Way goes in a loop. Parking costs $1-3. Get a timestamp ticket, then park and go to meet your family.

When you are ready to leave, you will exit onto the centre way roads or back onto World Way. Once you are out, stay in the rightmost lanes and look for the Sepulveda South exit.

If you are uncomfortable with driving at the airport, it is recommended that you park and give yourself some time.

Picking up passengers at the curb

Once you arrive at LAX, you will be on the main arrivals loop called World Way. Stay in the left-most lanes on this loop, as this is where the parking structures are located. Pick a parking structure close to your pickup terminal and turn left – keep an eye out for the entrances to the parking structures. Parking costs $1-3, and you will need to get a timestamp ticket. Once you have parked, go and meet your family.

When you leave the parking structure, you will either exit onto the centre way roads or back onto World Way. If you exit onto World Way, stay in the right-most lanes and look for the Sepulveda South exit.

If you are uncomfortable with driving at the airport, it is recommended that you park and give yourself some time, rather than trying to pick up your passengers right at the curb.

LAX can be a busy airport, so it is important to allow plenty of time for your journey and to be aware of the traffic conditions before you set off.

Driving routes to LAX

Driving to LAX can be a stressful experience, especially if you're not familiar with the area. Here are some tips to help you navigate the journey:

If you're coming from the north, you can drive up the coast to LAX. While you may encounter rush hour traffic, you're likely to hit less congestion coming north versus going south from Santa Monica towards the airport. Spending some time in Santa Monica or Venice before your drop-off is a great option, as these areas are quite close to the airport and offer a pleasant break from driving.

To avoid the freeways, you can take Highway 1 (PCH) from Seal Beach to Santa Monica. This route provides a scenic drive along the coast and can be a more enjoyable alternative to the busy freeways. However, keep in mind that traffic can be unpredictable, especially if you're coming from further distances, such as San Diego.

Once you arrive at LAX, you'll find yourself on the main arrivals loop called World Way. Stay in the left-most lanes on this loop to access the parking structures. Choose a parking structure close to your pickup terminal and keep an eye out for the entrances. Don't worry if you miss a turn, as World Way goes in a loop, and you can easily circle back. Parking rates are typically affordable, ranging from $1 to $3.

When exiting the parking area, you'll either end up on the center way roads or back on World Way. From there, favour the right-most lanes and look for the Sepulveda South exit. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the airport traffic, consider parking first and giving yourself some time to relax before proceeding to the curb for pick-up.

Traffic and rush hour

To avoid the freeways, you can take Highway 1 (PCH) from Seal Beach to Santa Monica. This route offers a scenic drive up the coast and can be a great way to spend some time before your flight. Alternatively, if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for unpredictable and potentially heavy traffic.

When navigating the airport itself, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Once you reach the "ground" level of LAX, you'll find yourself on the main arrivals loop called World Way. Stay in the leftmost lanes to access the parking structures, and choose one close to your pickup terminal. Don't worry if you miss a turn, as World Way is a loop, and you can simply circle back. Parking is typically affordable, costing around $1-3. After parking, you can either exit onto the centre way roads or return to World Way, favouring the rightmost lanes to reach the Sepulveda South exit.

If you're feeling nervous about driving at the airport, it's advisable to park and give yourself some time. Avoid attempting to pick up passengers directly at the curb if you're uncomfortable with the airport traffic. Instead, take advantage of the parking facilities and meet your party inside the airport.

Using ride-share services

If you're planning to drive to LAX airport, you may want to consider using ride-share services to make your journey easier.

LAX-it is the new way for guests arriving at LAX to connect with their ride-share services, such as Taxi, Lyft, Opoli, and Uber. You can either walk to LAX-it or take a free shuttle bus. Terminals 1 and 7 are the closest, with a 3 to 8-minute walk, while the farthest terminals, T4 and T5, are about a 19-minute walk. The LAX-it area is located right next to Terminal 1. To take the free shuttle bus, passengers should wait at the GREEN LAX-it sign on the Lower/Arrivals Level in front of each terminal.

If you're driving to the airport to pick someone up, it's recommended to park and give yourself some time rather than trying to pick them up right at the curb, especially if you're uncomfortable with driving at the airport. You can park in the parking structures on the main arrivals loop called World Way. Parking costs $1-3, and you can get a timestamp ticket when you enter. Once you've parked, you can meet your family or friends inside the airport. When you exit the parking structure, you'll either be on the center way roads or back on World Way. From there, you can exit onto Sepulveda South by staying in the rightmost lanes.

If you're driving to LAX from Seal Beach, you can take Highway 1 (PCH) to avoid the freeways and stop in Santa Monica or Venice, which are close to the airport and great places to spend some time before dropping off your passengers. This route may also help you avoid traffic, especially if you're coming from the south, as traffic tends to be lighter coming from the north.

Frequently asked questions