Worst Freeways in Los Angeles: The Busiest Highways You’ll Love to Hate
Top 5 Busiest Freeways in Los Angeles, California with Worst Traffic
Everyone loves sunny L.A. The beaches, the parties, the endless opportunities, and the amazing weather have thousands of people flocking to Los Angeles every year. But whether you’re visiting or calling L.A. your new home, there is one thing we all hate—the traffic.
Running errands can turn into an all-day task, and you need to back an overnight bag to visit a friend who lives a few miles away. When there are a lot of cars on the road and people become restless, it increases the probability of a crash.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, let’s take a look at the top five busiest freeways in Los Angeles County that we love to hate.
- The 110 Harbor freeway: It’s the oldest freeway in Los Angeles and also the busiest. Traffic gets heaviest as you enter the heart of Downtown and doesn’t let up until you get past the Pasadena junction.
- The 101 Hollywood freeway: Hollywood is where all the action is. With everyone traveling to Hollywood to sight-see, go to work, and everything in between, it causes many collisions, which ultimately throws everyone else on the freeway into gridlocked traffic.
- The 10 freeway at the Santa Monica to East LA interchange: What’s the best time to do construction on a freeway? Right in the middle of rush hour, of course! Lately, this freeway is always backed up due to lanes being shut off for construction.
- The 105 freeway from El Segundo to Norwalk: Traffic is the heaviest from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., so if you need to go to LAX, you might want to avoid scheduling a flight during these times.
- The 210 freeway: Although it’s typically smooth sailing on the weekends, going east or west from San Gabriel Valley to the San Fernando Valley can be a headache during the weekly commute.
There’s One More Freeway to Fear
Although it didn’t make the top five, the 710 is another dangerous freeway in the area. In 2017, there were 6 fatal crashes on this narrow and crowded freeway running from Long Beach to below Pasadena, as tracked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Meanwhile, truck accidents make up 29% to 36% of the total number of accidents on the 710 mainline—which is higher than the state average (according to a Caltrans Traffic Accident Surveillance and Analysis System study). Prepare yourself if you have to drive on these roads!
We want everyone to drive safely and get to their destination in one piece, but if you do end up being involved in a wreck, you will want an experienced attorney by your side. At Novik Law Group, A Professional Law Corporation, we make it our mission to get the best possible outcome for our clients. For a FREE consultation with a Los Angeles car accident lawyer, please call us at (888) 846-4576.
Why Los Angeles Freeways Are So Congested
Several factors contribute to the worst traffic in L.A.:
Massive daily commuter volume from surrounding suburbs
Limited public transit options compared to city size
Frequent road construction and lane reductions
High tourist activity in central Los Angeles
Weather and event-related slowdowns (concerts, sports games, etc.)
Together, these elements make the busiest freeways in Los Angeles a daily challenge for millions of drivers.
What Is the Busiest Freeway in California?
When it comes to heavy congestion, the Harbor (110) Freeway often ranks as the busiest freeway in California. Connecting downtown Los Angeles to the South Bay, this historic route is notorious for stop-and-go traffic at nearly all hours. It’s a vital artery for commuters, but it also contributes to some of the worst traffic in L.A.
Stay Safe on Los Angeles Freeways
No matter which Los Angeles freeway you travel, remember that defensive driving is key. Heavy congestion increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions, side-swipes, and multi-vehicle pileups.
If you’re injured in a crash caused by another driver, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Novik Law Group fights for accident victims across Los Angeles County.
Call (888) 846-4576 for a FREE consultation with an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer. Our mission is to help you get the compensation you deserve after any freeway or highway accident.
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FAQs
The 110 Harbor Freeway is widely recognized as the busiest freeway in Los Angeles and one of the most congested in California. It connects the South Bay area to Downtown L.A., serving thousands of daily commuters. Traffic is especially heavy during rush hour, sporting events, and weekends, making it a constant bottleneck for drivers.
If possible, avoid the 405, 101, and 10 freeways during peak hours (7–10 a.m. and 3–7 p.m.). These are the busiest highways in Los Angeles, especially around downtown interchanges, LAX, and Hollywood. Alternate surface routes or side streets can sometimes save time, though delays are common citywide.
The Westside and Downtown Los Angeles areas are known for having the worst traffic in L.A. The combination of commuters heading to job centers, tourists visiting attractions like Hollywood and Beverly Hills, and the constant flow to and from LAX makes these zones gridlocked during nearly all hours of the day. Major routes like the 405, 10, and 101 Freeways often record the worst congestion in Los Angeles during both morning and evening rush hours.
The Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) is officially recognized as the most congested highway in California. Stretching from Orange County through Los Angeles to the San Fernando Valley, it handles hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily. The 405 also connects to LAX and several major interchanges, making it a constant hotspot for gridlock and delays.
The Arroyo Seco Parkway (now part of the 110 Harbor Freeway) is the oldest freeway in Los Angeles and one of the first urban freeways in the United States. Completed in 1940, it originally connected Pasadena to Downtown Los Angeles. While it’s an important historic route, its narrow lanes and short merge ramps make it one of the most challenging roads for modern drivers.
According to recent traffic studies, Los Angeles generally has worse freeway congestion, while New York City has more localized street grid delays. L.A. drivers spend more time stuck on major highways like the 405, 10, and 101, making the city infamous for the worst freeway traffic in the U.S. NYC congestion tends to affect inner-city roads rather than long stretches of freeway.
The Interstate 10 (Santa Monica Freeway) and sections of the 405 are among the widest freeways in Los Angeles, with up to 14 to 16 lanes in certain areas, including carpool and auxiliary lanes. These massive highways handle hundreds of thousands of cars daily, yet even with all those lanes, the busiest freeways in Los Angeles often remain jammed during peak hours.
The 710 Freeway between Long Beach and Pasadena is considered one of the most dangerous Los Angeles freeways due to its narrow lanes and heavy truck traffic. Studies from Caltrans and NHTSA show a higher-than-average percentage of truck-related collisions on this route, making it one to approach with caution.
To stay safe on congested L.A. highways, follow these tips:
Maintain a safe following distance
Avoid sudden lane changes
Keep your phone out of reach to prevent distractions
Check traffic apps before leaving to plan alternate routes
Stay patient and alert, especially near merging zones and construction areas
If you’re involved in an accident on any Los Angeles freeway, contacting an experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney can help protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation.
There are several reasons behind the worst traffic in Los Angeles:
The city’s sprawling geography and reliance on cars
Limited public transportation options
Millions of daily commuters from nearby counties
Frequent roadwork and construction on major freeways
Tourist and entertainment traffic near Downtown and Hollywood
All these factors combined make Los Angeles one of the most congested cities in the nation.
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