Los Angeles, The City of Angels, is one of the most populated cities in the world. It remains the most desired city in the US to move to, with plenty of employment opportunities, beautiful sights, and family-friendly neighborhoods. However, one of the major complaints from locals about LA is the prevalence of traffic. LA traffic, especially during rush hour, is unavoidable and can add hours to a simple route. Before moving or vacationing in LA, you’ll need to know how to navigate through the troubles of traffic.
Avoid Rush Hours
Most people will head to work and return home between seven and ten in the morning and four and seven in the evening. While these are typical rush hours for any city, Los Angeles suffers the most in terms of traffic. It’s in your best interest to avoid traveling on the roads at these times unless you can’t help it (perhaps you’re one of the commuters, too).
Hire a Driver
A personal driver can be costly, but they will get you where you need to go on time. They will be local and highly skilled in navigating the streets of Los Angeles without incident. If traffic is on your commute, a chauffeur will know how to avoid it and factor it into your navigation time. Personal drivers are the most expensive way to get around LA.
Taxi
A taxi driver is more cost-friendly than hiring a personal driver, but they will still be trained and familiar with the area. They are more likely to be local, as they must live nearby for commuting. While some taxi drivers may drive a little roughly, they’ll get you to your destination faster than you likely will in your own car. They will know which streets to avoid and when to prevent rush-hour traffic.
Rideshare
Ridesharing apps, like Lyft or Uber, can be cost-effective outside of high ride demand times. While the driver’s navigational skills will vary, most will be native to the LA area and know which streets to steer clear of. While many drivers are careful to avoid accidents (rideshare companies tend to monitor driving techniques), an Uber or lyft accident isn’t impossible.
Light Rail (Metro Rail)
The Light Rail, also known as the Metro Rail, is a massive train transit system that connects all of Los Angeles County. The Metro Rail even includes underground trains (subways) connecting to certain city parts. The public train system is cheap ($1.75 per ride) and the best way to get to your destination much quicker. While you must rely on the train’s schedule, it’s pretty consistent, and you won’t have to deal with car traffic. The A, C, E, and K lines are all light rail trains in the Metro rail system. The A Line will connect you to Long Beach. The E Line will take you to the infamous Santa Monica area. You can easily take a look at the various trains and stops online.
Subway Trains (Metro Rail)
Another part of the LA Metro Rail is its subway system. Technically, it is still part of the same train system, but it operates underground instead of above ground to reach specific destinations. The train’s famous B Line is part of the subway system, connecting Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles. The D Line is an additional subway train that takes you to downtown LA through Koreatown. The subway lines of the Metro Rail system will also help you avoid traffic.
Bikes and Scooters
Los Angeles has plenty of rental options for those looking for an affordable, more portable way to get around town. You can rent manual bikes or e-bikes, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace; you’ll need some leg strength for manual bikes, and you won’t get to your destination as fast. However, you’ll be able to skip traffic with bike lanes. E-bike and scooter rental stations are also posted throughout the city, with popular companies such as Lyft, Uber, Lime, and Bird. E-scooters are quick, fun, and convenient, but they may not be comfortable for long distances, hot days, or those who prefer to sit.
Conclusion
While Los Angeles is a beautiful and job-friendly place to live or visit, you must prepare for the heavy traffic. While the streets are congested most of the day, you can lower your chances of sitting in lengthy traffic by avoiding rush hour. If you prefer to travel by car, you may reduce the chances of getting stuck in longer traffic lines by hiring an experienced local driver via chauffeur, taxi, or rideshare. If you don’t mind the fresh air through your hair, rent an e-bike or e-scooter to get around town and avoid traffic through the bike lanes. LA’s metro system offers light rails and subway trains to help you get to a destination without worrying about traffic at all.
