LAX to Santa Barbara - peak hour

Question

Hi guys, I am a solo traveller from Australia and a regular road tripper across the USA, however I've never driven out of LAX. I arrive at approx 2.30pm on a Monday afternoon in early June and plan on driving to Santa Barbara to start the trip. I'm thinking it could take approx an hour to clear immigration/customs and another 30mins to pick up the vehicle so the departure time from LAX could be approx 5.00pm? Can anybody please advise if the traffic leaving LAX and heading up the highway to SB at this time will be seriously problematic? I guess I'm trying to determine if I should spend the first night in LAX surrounds and then hit the road the next morning or if it is manageable? TIA.. Jodie xx

Answer

Driving from LAX to Santa Barbara on a Monday afternoon around 5:00pm can indeed be challenging due to peak traffic on the 405 and US-101 corridors. Los Angeles traffic is notoriously heavy during weekday rush hours, especially from roughly 3:30pm to 7:00pm, and the first leg leaving LAX often takes longer than expected because of merging onto the 405 or 105 freeway and navigating through the local airport exits.

Here are some key points to consider:

Traffic congestion: Leaving LAX around 5:00pm means you'll hit the tail end of peak rush hour. Expect slow speeds, stop-and-go traffic, and potentially 1.5 to 2.5 hours to reach Santa Barbara, instead of the usual 1.5-hour drive in light traffic.
Route options: The most straightforward route is to take the 405 north to the 101 north. While the 101 is scenic and direct, it can still be heavily congested around Los Angeles and through Ventura County during rush hour.
Alternative options: You could consider leaving the airport slightly later, after 6:30pm, when traffic starts to ease, but this may push your arrival in Santa Barbara close to 8:00pm. Another option is to spend the first night near LAX or in West Los Angeles and depart early the next morning for a much smoother drive.

Additional tips for a smoother drive:

Check real-time traffic apps like Google Maps or Waze for live conditions and alternative routes.
Consider light snacks or water in the car, as LA traffic can be unpredictable.
If you are not comfortable driving in heavy traffic after a long flight, staying near the airport for the night might reduce stress and make your road trip more enjoyable.

In summary, while it is technically manageable to drive from LAX to Santa Barbara at that time, expect a longer and more stressful drive due to rush hour. If your schedule allows, spending the first night near LAX and starting fresh the next morning is often the more relaxing choice for solo travelers.