Land at LAX at 1:30 - how bad will traffic be?

[CarolynFH]

Flying in tomorrow on United! We're renting a car from Budget then heading straight to our hotel in Anaheim. Any estimates on how long the drive will take once we pull out of the Budget lot?

Also, any tips on getting from the UA gate to the Budget counter?

TIA!

 

[sherilaine]

We have rented from Budget several times. We joined their Fastbreak service - I think it's something you have to do well ahead of time though so might not be able to do it before tomorrow. It allows you to pick up your vehicle without having to go in and wait in line but you had to submit your drivers license etc. ahead of time. Look into it if you have time today though!

Leaving your baggage claim area you will go outside to find the rental car shuttles. Overhead signs will indicate the location of these pick up areas in Purple. The buses come around quite frequently from our experience. If you land at 1:30 then you should be at the car rental place by 2:30 between picking up bags and taking the shuttle (that is giving you lots of time). However I have no idea what lines will be like picking up your car - could take close to an hour, could take 15 minutes. So you'd be looking at leaving potentially as late as 3:30 and by then you are likely looking at traffic being up to 2 hours - but it's one hour even without much traffic. It's hard to predict but I'd say to expect things to take their time and factor in a good amount of time for your trip in from the airport.

 

[Epek]

I would expect peak traffic. Assume 2hrs and hope for less.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Agree..plan for 2 hours once you get your car...hope for 1.5 hours!

 

[ludari]

I work across the street from LAX and live 10-miles away from Disneyland so the estimates the others gave you are safe for your planning but I would suspect your drive would definitely be less than 2 hours after you pull out of the Budget lot. I would suggest taking the 105 East using the HOV/carpool lane (obviously you have to have two more more in your vehicle) to 605 South (don't bother getting in the HOV/carpool lane because it's a short distance until you have to transition to the 91 East (use carpool lane once you get on the 91), stay in the carpool lane because there is an HOV/carpool exit to the 5 South. From that point stay in the HOV/carpool lane and they will be an exit (in that lane) for Disneyland. This route should be the fastest possible and allow you to use the majority of the HOV/carpool lanes.

 

[China Expat]

YOU can NEVER predict LA traffic. It is always crazy.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you all, and THANK YOU SO MUCH ludari for the instructions about the HOV lanes! That saved us a lot of time. Left Budget just before 3 and made it here in an hour!

As always, the DIS rocks.

 

[starry_solo]

Thank you all, and THANK YOU SO MUCH ludari for the instructions about the HOV lanes! That saved us a lot of time. Left Budget just before 3 and made it here in an hour!

As always, the DIS rocks.

WOW!

 

[sherilaine]

Thank you all, and THANK YOU SO MUCH ludari for the instructions about the HOV lanes! That saved us a lot of time. Left Budget just before 3 and made it here in an hour!

As always, the DIS rocks.

That is great that you had your vehicle before 3! We have not had bad experiences travelling in from Budget - hope that holds true for next Friday!! Hope you have a great visit!!

 

[kathy884]

How about the drive from LAX to Hollywood? We are staying there for a night before we go to Disneyland, arriving on a Monday in January around 12:30 p.m. Would that be about a two hour drive too?

 

[sherilaine]

How about the drive from LAX to Hollywood? We are staying there for a night before we go to Disneyland, arriving on a Monday in January around 12:30 p.m. Would that be about a two hour drive too?

Are you renting a car - that adds time right there - if you are landing at 12:30 and picking up a vehicle, then it'll be at least 1:30 before you are on the road and that is being very conservative. I'd say it would say you should bank on an hour to get there but I am sure other experts can give you better guidance.

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

How about the drive from LAX to Hollywood? We are staying there for a night before we go to Disneyland, arriving on a Monday in January around 12:30 p.m. Would that be about a two hour drive too?

No. It's closer to LAX compared to Disneyland.
It can easily take an hour though, but I can't see it taking more than an hour and a half.

 

[Epek]

LAX- Hollywood- At peak times, it should only take a little more than an hour. At the time you're describing, 45 mins tops, I would think

 

[sherilaine]

I work across the street from LAX and live 10-miles away from Disneyland so the estimates the others gave you are safe for your planning but I would suspect your drive would definitely be less than 2 hours after you pull out of the Budget lot. I would suggest taking the 105 East using the HOV/carpool lane (obviously you have to have two more more in your vehicle) to 605 South (don't bother getting in the HOV/carpool lane because it's a short distance until you have to transition to the 91 East (use carpool lane once you get on the 91), stay in the carpool lane because there is an HOV/carpool exit to the 5 South. From that point stay in the HOV/carpool lane and they will be an exit (in that lane) for Disneyland. This route should be the fastest possible and allow you to use the majority of the HOV/carpool lanes.

We followed these instructions except we exited onto Harbor to the HOJO, we left the Budget lot on a Friday at 1:30 and it took us 45 minutes!

Thanks!!