Free tool
LA Drive-Time Planner
Pick where you're starting and where you're going. We'll estimate the drive at every time of day so you can dodge the worst traffic.
LA traffic can nearly double a drive: by our estimates Santa Monica to Downtown is about 35 minutes free-flowing but an hour or more between 3 and 7:30pm on weekdays. The best times to drive are before 6:30am, late morning to early afternoon, and after 7:30pm. Use the planner for your route.
Frequently asked questions
How bad is rush hour in Los Angeles?
Bad: by our estimates a cross-town drive can take 1.5–2 times as long in the weekday afternoon rush (about 3–7:30pm) as late in the evening. Santa Monica to Downtown is roughly 35 minutes free-flowing and an hour or more at 5pm.
When is the best time to drive in LA?
Before 6:30am, between about 10am and 2:30pm on weekdays, after 7:30pm, and early on weekend mornings. Friday afternoons are often the worst of the week.
How long does it take to get from LAX to Downtown?
About 35–40 minutes with light traffic and an hour or more in rush hour, by our estimates. The Metro (C/K Line plus the free shuttle) avoids the traffic for $1.75.
Should I rent a car in Los Angeles?
If you're covering the beaches, Malibu or day trips, yes. If you're staying in Downtown, Hollywood or Santa Monica, the Metro and rideshare may be easier than paying for parking and sitting in traffic.
How accurate are these drive times?
They're estimates from a simple model of distance, average speed and typical traffic, checked against navigation-app times. Real times vary with accidents, events and weather; check a live map before you leave.
Sources and how current this is
The figures on this page are our best estimates, last checked in November 2026. Operators change prices, so check the source before you rely on a number.
Best estimates (not official)
Where no official figure was available, we use our best estimate from published reports, operator sites, reviews and traveler reports. These are marked "est." in the tools above; treat them as a guide, not a quote.
- Drive times by time of day — straight-line distance between neighborhood centers × 1.25, an average 32 mph plus 8 minutes for surface streets and parking, and traffic multipliers tuned to typical navigation-app times and traveler reports
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