Traffic Predict

Best Time to Drive from San Diego to LAX

Right now (5:00 pm PDT): about 128 minutes via I-5 North and I-405 North, usually 120 at this time.

On weekdays the 125-mile drive from San Diego to LAX (via I-5 North and I-405 North) usually takes as little as 114 minutes and up to 147 minutes, when leaving around 4 pm on Thursdays. The fastest times to leave are before 1 pm or after 6 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 125 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 11:30 am on Saturdays (136 minutes).

Drive times are measured from downtown San Diego (East Broadway) to LAX airport along the route shown. Starting or ending elsewhere in a big city can add or save several minutes.

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from San Diego to LAX by day and time you leave (local time)
Leave5am6am7am8am9am10am11am12pm1pm2pm3pm4pm5pm6pm7pm8pm9pm
Mon116119120122122122123123123124127130124117117116114
Tue116119122124124123122122123126134140131121117115114
Wed116120122123125124123124124128138145136122117115114
Thu116119121123123123123123124128139147137123117115114
Fri115118120121122123125128133139147144130119117116114
Sat114114115117120126134136131129126125120117118117114
Sun113114114115117123133135134130127125122119120117114

Simulated from typical freeway speeds at each point of the drive for the time you would reach it, from every 5-minute reading we have recorded. Surface streets at each end are estimated.

Questions

What is the best time to drive from San Diego to LAX?

On weekdays, leave before 1 pm or after 6 pm. The drive usually takes about 114 minutes then, versus up to 147 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from San Diego to LAX?

The 125-mile drive usually takes 114 to 147 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 125 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from San Diego to LAX?

Leaving around 4 pm on Thursdays is usually slowest, about 147 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

LAX to San Diego (return trip) · San Diego to Escondido · San Diego to Oceanside · San Diego to El Cajon · San Diego to Carlsbad · San Diego to Los Angeles · San Diego to Irvine · San Diego to Temecula · San Diego to Anaheim · San Diego to Riverside

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