Budget Car Rental
Los Angeles

After collecting your luggage, exit your terminal on the Lower/Arrivals Level and look for the purple signs that read “Rental Car Shuttles.” These signs will direct you to the designated pickup islands in the outer median. Once there, watch for the shuttle bus specifically marked for Budget, as it will take you directly to the off-site rental car center. The signage is consistent across all terminals, making it a straightforward process to follow.

With only carry-on luggage, you can bypass the baggage claim carousels entirely for a faster exit. Head straight from your gate to the Lower/Arrivals Level and find the nearest exit. Look for the purple “Rental Car Shuttles” signs on the outer curb island. Board the dedicated Budget shuttle, which will transport you directly to the rental facility, saving you significant time compared to waiting for checked bags.

A practical meeting point is directly at the baggage claim carousel assigned to your flight, as it's a large, clearly marked area where everyone will naturally end up. Alternatively, you can designate one of the large terminal maps or information booths on the Arrivals Level as your rendezvous spot. Once your group is assembled, you can all proceed outside together to the rental car shuttle stop for the ride to the Budget location.

The best way to avoid the terminal roadway congestion is to use the dedicated rental car shuttle system. Instead of arranging a private pickup, head directly to the purple-signed shuttle island on the Arrivals Level. These shuttles often use dedicated or prioritized lanes to navigate the airport loop more efficiently than general traffic. This ensures you get to the Budget rental center without having to personally drive through the most congested parts of LAX.

When you arrive at the Budget shuttle stop, inform the driver about your oversized items so they can assist you with proper storage in the bus's luggage area. It's helpful to have one person in your party manage the items while another handles boarding. Once you arrive at the Budget facility, you can use a luggage cart to transport your items from the shuttle drop-off point to your rental vehicle, making the transfer much more manageable.

For the least complicated drive to El Segundo or Manhattan Beach, avoid the freeways immediately after leaving the rental center. Instead, use Sepulveda Boulevard heading south. This major surface street runs parallel to the coast and provides direct access to both cities without the stress of merging onto the busy 405 or 105 freeways. It’s a more relaxed introduction to driving in the area and is often just as quick for these short trips.

The simplest way to start on local roads is to exit the rental facility and follow signs for Century Boulevard or Sepulveda Boulevard. Heading east on Century will take you toward major north-south streets like La Cienega Boulevard, while Sepulveda runs north and south directly from the airport area. Using these surface streets allows you to get your bearings and acclimate to LA traffic before attempting to merge onto a major freeway like the 405.

A straightforward route is to take the I-105 East from the airport area to the I-110 North ExpressLanes. Exit at 9th Street/Convention Center and follow the signs, which will lead you directly into the L.A. Live area with minimal confusion. This route is well-marked for event traffic and helps you avoid the more complex four-level interchange and the densest parts of the downtown freeway loop, making for a much smoother arrival.

In Santa Monica, especially near the beach, street parking is often restricted by permits, particularly overnight. Your best option is to confirm with your hotel if they offer guest parking, as this is the most secure and hassle-free choice. If hotel parking isn't available, look for the public parking structures downtown, which offer overnight rates. Be sure to read all posted signs carefully to avoid a ticket or towing.

The most direct and easiest route to Pasadena involves two primary freeways. From the LAX area, take the I-105 East until it merges into the I-605 North. Continue on the I-605 North to the I-210 West, which will take you directly into Pasadena. This path avoids the more complex and often congested downtown interchanges, offering a relatively linear journey with fewer lane changes required.

To visit the Getty Villa, it's essential to make a timed-entry reservation online in advance, which also reserves your parking spot. Plan your visit for a weekday morning to avoid the heaviest Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) traffic that builds up in the afternoon and on weekends. From LAX, take Lincoln Boulevard north, which becomes Highway 1 (PCH), for a scenic and direct route, and allow extra travel time for potential slowdowns near Santa Monica.

For a weekday afternoon visit to the Getty Center, aim to arrive around 1 p.m. to miss the lunch rush and before the evening commute begins. From LAX, take the I-405 North and use the Getty Center Drive exit, which is dedicated specifically to the museum. The signage is excellent and leads you directly into the parking structure, making the approach simple and eliminating any need to search for parking in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The key is to use a central parking garage. Park once at the Hollywood & Highland center, which offers direct access to the Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre. From there, you can explore the main Hollywood sights on foot. For your second stop, choose a destination with dedicated parking, like The Grove or the Griffith Observatory, and drive there directly instead of trying to find street parking in multiple locations.

The least stressful approach is to use one of the official Park & Ride lots located throughout the city and take a dedicated shuttle directly to the Bowl's entrance. This completely eliminates the challenge of navigating the steep, narrow roads and congested lots around the venue. If you must drive to the site, pre-purchasing a parking pass for one of the stacked lots is essential, but be prepared for significant delays when entering and exiting.

Expect heavy traffic on 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue, the main roads bordering the complex, especially on weekends. The Grove has a large, multi-level parking structure with an entrance on Fairfax that is clearly marked. While the garage is spacious, the entry and exit points can become very congested during peak hours. Plan to arrive early in the day for the smoothest experience getting in and out.

Driving in Beverly Hills requires extra attention due to high pedestrian traffic, frequent tour buses, and luxury cars making sudden stops. Many smaller streets have unique turn restrictions, so follow your GPS closely but also be prepared to circle the block. The best strategy is to park your rental in one of the many public garages, like the one on Brighton Way, and explore the Rodeo Drive area on foot for a more relaxed experience.

Parking in these neighborhoods can be challenging, as the streets are often narrow, hilly, and lined with cars. Main thoroughfares like Sunset Boulevard may have some metered spots, but they fill up quickly. Be prepared to search for parking on residential side streets, paying close attention to permit restrictions and street cleaning signs. It's wise to arrive early and be comfortable with parallel parking on a slope.

The most efficient plan is to park once at the main lot near the Griffith Observatory and use the park's internal DASH shuttle bus to move between locations. The shuttle connects the Observatory, the Greek Theatre, and the Fern Dell/Los Feliz entrance, saving you the immense frustration of finding parking at each popular spot. Arriving on a weekday or very early on a weekend morning will give you the best chance of securing a spot in the main lot.

For the easiest parking, head to the large, open-air beach lots managed by the county or state, which you'll find at places like Zuma Beach in Malibu or Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades. These lots offer ample space with clearly defined parking stalls, eliminating the need for parallel parking or navigating tight garage ramps. You simply pull in, pay at a kiosk or attendant, and walk straight to the sand.

When driving on PCH, always be vigilant for cyclists, as they frequently use the shoulder. The road has many scenic turnouts for photos, but be cautious when pulling in and out of them. Traffic can slow to a crawl unexpectedly, especially on sunny weekends, so maintain a safe following distance. Also, be aware that access to many beaches involves crossing the oncoming traffic lane, so be patient and wait for a clear opening.

To avoid the worst of LA's outbound traffic, plan to leave the LAX area no later than 6:00 AM on a weekday. This allows you to get through the San Fernando Valley before peak rush hour fully develops. On a weekend, departing by 8:00 AM is generally safe. For the return trip, aim to leave Santa Barbara either before 2:00 PM or after 7:00 PM to miss the heavy commuter traffic flowing back into the Los Angeles basin.

A great route is to start by driving north from LAX to the Getty Center for a hilltop viewpoint with stunning city and ocean vistas. After your visit, continue west on Sunset Boulevard all the way to the Pacific Coast Highway. You can then enjoy a coastal stop at Will Rogers State Beach or head slightly north to Malibu. This creates a logical loop that minimizes backtracking and keeps you on a scenic path.

Night driving can be challenging on poorly lit, winding roads like those in the Hollywood Hills or parts of Mulholland Drive. Additionally, navigating the complex freeway interchanges downtown, such as the junction of the 110 and 101, can be confusing in the dark. For a less stressful experience, stick to well-lit major boulevards like Wilshire, Santa Monica, or Sunset whenever possible for your return trip.

When driving near schools on weekdays, be extremely cautious during drop-off (around 7:30-9:00 AM) and pickup (around 2:30-4:00 PM). Speed limits in school zones are strictly enforced and often drop to 25 mph or lower when children are present. Expect sudden stops, double-parked cars, and children crossing the street unexpectedly. It's best to avoid streets immediately adjacent to schools during these times if you're on a tight schedule.

A great starter route is to take the I-105 East from the airport area for a few miles and then exit onto a major north-south street like Crenshaw or Western Avenue. The I-105 is typically less congested than the I-405 and has wide, modern lanes. This short trip allows you to practice merging and maintaining freeway speed in a more controlled environment before tackling more complex interchanges or heavier traffic.

To avoid long lines, try to use facilities that are a few miles away from the immediate airport vicinity, as those closest to LAX are always the busiest. For food, consider ordering ahead using a mobile app for quick pickup instead of waiting in a drive-through. For gas, plan your stop well before you reach the airport return area, perhaps in a neighboring community like El Segundo or Westchester, where demand is lower.

First, identify the venue location—whether it's SoFi Stadium, Crypto.com Arena, or the Hollywood Bowl—and plan your routes to avoid that area entirely, especially three hours before and two hours after the event. Use a real-time traffic app like Waze or Google Maps, which will reroute you around event-related closures and congestion. If your hotel is near a venue, plan to arrive well before the event starts or travel during off-peak hours.

The easiest approach is to temporarily pull into the designated passenger loading zone, which is usually right in front of the hotel entrance. This allows you to check in and unload your luggage without having to immediately navigate a tight garage or commit to valet. Once you have your room key and instructions from the front desk, you can then decide whether to use the valet service or find the self-parking entrance.

When choosing a garage, look for newer structures associated with major hotels, office buildings, or shopping centers like The Bloc or FIGat7th. These modern facilities typically have wider ramps, higher ceilings, and more spacious parking stalls compared to older, standalone lots. You can often preview the entrance and layout on Google Maps Street View to get a sense of its accessibility before you commit to parking there.

At a four-way stop, the rule is that the first vehicle to arrive has the right-of-way; if two arrive simultaneously, the car on the right goes first. Unlike in many countries, you can generally make a right turn on a red light after coming to a complete stop, unless a sign prohibits it. Be prepared for drivers to change lanes frequently on freeways, so maintain a safe distance and always check your blind spots.

A minivan or a large SUV with a rear liftgate offers the most convenient layout for groups with luggage. The wide opening at the back allows for quick and easy loading and unloading, which is crucial when you're in a busy hotel loading zone. These vehicles also provide flexible seating and cargo configurations, ensuring you can fit both your passengers and their bags comfortably without blocking windows or creating safety issues.

For bulky gear, consider renting an SUV or a wagon, as their open cargo areas are more accommodating than a standard sedan's trunk. It's important to ensure your equipment doesn't obstruct your rear view through the back window. A vehicle with a retractable cargo cover is an excellent feature, as it allows you to keep your valuable gear out of sight when the car is parked, which is a key consideration in any major city.

To avoid the most congested freeway interchanges, take a major surface street south from the Westside, such as Lincoln Boulevard or Sepulveda Boulevard. Lincoln Blvd (which becomes Sepulveda Blvd) runs directly to the airport and provides a more straightforward, albeit potentially slower, path than the often-gridlocked 405 freeway. Follow the airport signs for “Rental Car Return” as you get close, which will guide you to the Budget facility entrance.

The process is very simple because the airport shuttles serve all terminals. After you return your vehicle at the Budget location, you will board the return shuttle bus heading back to LAX. Just inform the driver which airline or terminal you are departing from, and they will make sure to stop at the correct drop-off point on the Upper/Departures Level, regardless of which terminal you originally arrived at.

The smoothest method is to first drive to the Upper/Departures Level and drop off your passengers and luggage at the appropriate terminal. After they are safely on the curb, continue following the airport loop road and look for the signs that say “Airport Exit” or “Rental Car Return.” These will guide you out of the main terminal area and onto the surrounding streets, like Century Boulevard, from where you can easily navigate to the Budget return location.

During the morning rush, the I-405 freeway (both northbound and southbound) and the I-105 West leading to the airport are notoriously congested. Additionally, Century Boulevard, the main east-west artery into LAX, can become extremely slow. If possible, use Sepulveda Boulevard as an alternate route, but regardless of your path, you should add at least 30-45 minutes of extra travel time to your plan to account for these predictable delays.

Don't panic or try to make an unsafe maneuver. The LAX road system is designed as a loop, so your safest option is to simply continue driving and follow the signs to exit the main terminal area. Once you are back on a major street like Century or Sepulveda Boulevard, you can safely pull over, reset your navigation app, and make a fresh attempt. Circling the airport once usually only takes about 10-15 minutes, even in traffic.

Many gas stations in the neighborhoods surrounding LAX, such as Westchester and El Segundo, have vacuums and large trash receptacles available for customer use. Look for a full-service car wash or a larger gas station a few miles from the airport. Using one of these facilities before you get into the immediate, high-traffic airport zone will make the process much quicker and less stressful than searching for one at the last minute.

The simplest way is to use your navigation app to find a gas station that is on the right-hand side of your planned return route. For example, if you are approaching the airport from the north on Sepulveda Boulevard, search for a station on the east side of the street. Planning this stop a mile or two before the rental return entrance allows you to refuel and then merge back into traffic flowing directly toward the airport without any complex turns.

A great, low-risk option is to visit the In-N-Out Burger on Sepulveda Boulevard, famous for its views of planes landing on the LAX runway. It's located just north of the airport, allowing for an easy exit and return to the rental car facility. Another simple stop is Dockweiler Beach, which is just west of the airport and offers a quick chance to see the ocean one last time before your flight without venturing far from your return route.