Driving to LAX on the Monday Morning

[Riflesmile]

I know route maps etc state that the driving time to lax from coachella is about 2.5 hours - is that accurate for leaving on Monday morning?

I'm staying in indian wells and we are coming over from Ireland just for coachella and I will be hiring a car - my flight leaves LAX at 1600 and I'm just wanting to plan ahead because I will have to get the car back for about 1230.

What time would I need to hit the road to make that?

Cheers Guys

[custard]

Funny, I flew into Ireland last year for Oxegen!

if you have to have the car back by 1230 i'd leave at 800 just to be safe. Hope this helps!

[Riflesmile]

Thanks for that - I assume the drive is pretty straight forward?

What did you think of Oxegen? Last year was the first I didn't do since it started - line up has went very pop/mainstream in the last couple of years.

That plus too many drunk 14 years olds there just for acts like black eyed peas

[custard]

it's a straightforward drive, yes. I actually didn't have a very good time at Oxegen last year, the crowd ruined it for me. I had the trip planned for almost a year in advance though, and the lineup was good for me, so all in all can't complain.

[Riflesmile]

I can totally understand that. Thats why I can't wait for Coachella. Thanks again.

[Mugwog]

Definitely leave at 8am or earlier, you have to remember you're coming from INLAND to LA on a Monday, so there will be a lot of morning commuters. You will get to explore a So Cal favorite: 10 West FWY traffic jam.

[baily]

Headed back traffic can be REAL REAL BAD. Plan on leaving at 8:00am at the latest.
If there is an accident you can be stuck for an hour or more easily going nowhere.

[Redundant567]

I will be making the drive to downtown LA (I do it every year). I usually go Monday morning, but I can't this year because I have morning class so I will be leaving Sunday night. Anyway, when I have left on Mondays I typically leave around 10am, and still make it under 2.5 hrs. Leaving between the hours of 7-9am is putting you in 100% chance of heavy commute traffic. The car situation messes you up, and puts you in a bit of risk leaving at 10am, but I have never had a problem. To be safe you will probably have to go the earlier route and deal with traffic.

[Riflesmile]

Thanks for the advice guys - I will probably just have to deal with the traffic and leave early to be safe.

[DesertGirl]

It you are on the freeway by 9:00 you will be fine. By the time you hit the congested areas...ontari etc, the traffic shouldn't be too bad. If you hit no traffic it takes 2 hours to LAX if you hit traffic it could take up to 3 hours at the most. Take the I-10 West to the 605 South to the 105 West. Don't take the I-60.