How to Avoid Traffic in Los Angeles

For a newcomer to Los Angeles, driving can seem a little overwhelming. Follow these steps to help "steer" you in the right direction to avoid traffic in LA!

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A car
• A good car radio / ipod hookup / CD player
• Patience
• Extra Time

1. 
    

   The "10" is OK in certain directions.
   
   This is the major freeway that goes east-west. It is congested going west during morning traffic and going east during evening traffic. Near downtown, it is congested in both directions.
   
   Some great surface streets you can take to avoid the "10" are:
   
   Olympic
   Pico
   Venice
   
   Also, if you're in Hollywood and West Hollywood: Fountain and Willoughby are INCREDIBLE

2. 
    

   Avoid the 405 when possible
   
   The 405 is the major freeway going north-south near the ocean. It is always congested. Good surface streets you can take to avoid the 405 are Lincoln, La Cienega. Crescent Heights Blvd is also a good option if you are north of Venice Ave.

3. 
    

   Avoid the Hollywood Bowl
   
   For evening traffic, avoid the Hollywood & Highland exit on the 101. Especially during the summer. You'll hit a lot of unnecessary traffic because of everyone going to the Hollywood Bowl for concerts. Instead, take the Gower or Sunset exits.

4. Avoid Fairfax, especially going north
   
   Martel / Hauser is the Autobahn compared to Fairfax. It runs straight through between Washington and Santa Monica Blvd.

5. Give yourself extra time in September
   
   For some reason traffic gets crazy in September, I hear it's because of the "back to school" crowd.

Tips & Warnings

• Get some audiobooks to play in your car for educational listening when you have a long commute
• ALWAYS overestimate the time it will take you to get ANYWHERE, you never know when traffic can clog up the streets.
• "The Traffic was terrible" is never an excuse to be late because the traffic is ALWAYS terrible!
• NEVER EVER give someone "the finger." Road rage is terrible in Los Angeles and known to escalate to violence. Stay calm even in the worst traffic jams.