Destination guide
Car hire in Los Angeles for crew on a break
LA is famously not a walking city — it's built around freeways, and a car is close to essential for getting anywhere beyond your immediate neighbourhood. It's also the starting point for one of America's most iconic drives: the Pacific Coast Highway.
Why bother with a car here
Almost everyone driving through LA needs a car simply to function — rideshares work but add up fast across a city this spread out. Beyond the practicality, a car unlocks the coast: driving even a section of Highway 1 north toward Malibu and Santa Barbara is genuinely one of the best short road trips available anywhere.
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Search car hire →What to know about driving here
- Driving side: right-hand side.
- Traffic is the defining feature — rush hour (roughly 7-10am and 3:30-7pm) can turn a 20-minute drive into over an hour. Plan around it where you can.
- Freeways are numbered, not always named on signs — know your route number (the 405, the 101) rather than relying on street names.
- LAX rental return involves a shuttle to a consolidated rental facility — build in extra time before a flight.
Good use of a day off
Driving north on the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu is an easy half-day with genuinely stunning coastal views. With more time, continuing further to Santa Barbara makes for a full, memorable day trip.
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Search car hire →Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a car in LA?+
For most visits, yes — the city is spread out and built around freeways, so getting between neighbourhoods without a car (or constant rideshares) is genuinely difficult.
When is LA traffic worst?+
Roughly 7-10am and 3:30-7pm on weekdays. Plan drives around those windows where you can.
What's the rental return process like at LAX?+
Rental cars return to a consolidated facility reached by shuttle, not directly at the terminal — build in extra time before your flight.