Los Angeles Travel Forum

Hi

I will be in LA on work in the first week of June. I plan to rent a car. I live in Asia but have rented and driven cars in NY, NJ and Orlando and found the experience quite plesant - no honking, polite drivers letting you cut lanes, enough space before people change lanes etc. Can I expect the same in LA or since the company will be picking up the tab for my transportation, should I use cabs. I am comfortable driving upto 75 mph, but even with a GPS, need to slow down at exits and turns.

How much will a mid-size car with full insurance coverage and GPS cost me?

Thanks for all your help.

If you have driven before in USA, then I am sure you will be able to adjust quickly to driving in LA...the roads are also wide but there are more cars and more traffic...sometimes bumper to bumper. I rent cars weekly and on the average for midsized cars I have spend 250 To 300 dollars but of course there's a lot of good deals that might offer better rate..but the price goes up some when you purchase insurance or GPS. If you have GPS, it is like five hundred percent better to move and navigate around...Hope you enjoy your stay.Norman :)

It also all depends where you will be driving. Most freeways have long on and off ramps, but if you drive on the Pasadena freeway this is about the oldest freeway in LA and some of the on and off ramps are not as generous.

GPS in Los Angeles is a must! try to get the audio version as this will give you the that you are headed in the correct direction...the freeway can be daunting - sometimes 4-5 lanes in one direction...rush hours starts at 5:30 -6:00 am and 3:00 pm on...try to be off the roads during these times during the week. The weekends are better if you get an early start to your destination. A good map will give you the global picture and make driving easier...forget cabs because of the long distances...there is a light rail in the downtown area...have fun and enjoy!

Driving in LA is much easier than the NY/NJ area, but more challenging than Orlando. A GPS is definitely helpful, because LA has very few numbered streets, unlike New York City. Traffic gets slow during the rush hours, but the drivers are not as aggressive as they are in the northeastern US.

A cab would be OK for you if you live close to work, else a car is a must, make sure you are adequately insured. If you have experienced NYC, LA will be a pleasant jaunt for you.

GPS will be a gr8 help - you should be able to BUY one for very little money (I bought mine for $129. from Costco, on sale at that time). The new GPSs will warn you of the posted speed limit. The GPS will also warn you before its too late , time to take the exit, etc. and if you miss yur exit, the GPS will automatically re-route you back to your destination.

Try to stay WITH the traffic and dont try to create your own new pattern, you will do fine.

Getting around LA by taxi won't be easy. Only at the airport and some of the larger hotels. It's not like New York where you can wave down a cab on almost any street. You can call a cab but then you'll have to wait for it's arrival. I would definitely consider renting a car.

Depending on what freeways you are on, the speeds will vary. I wouldn't be too concerned about driving fast. It's not too often that we have that opportunity. Be more concerned about suddens stops in front of you or someone moving into your lane causing you to hit your brakes. I deal with that on a daily basis.

Otherwise, driving here is pretty easy. Make sure to wear your seatbelt and do not talk or text on your cell phone while driving. Hands free talking on cell phone is okay.

Grace is right...

The biggest thing you have to worry about is the sudden stopping. This is not as common in the Northeastern U.S.

Seemingly without reason, the traffic will slow to a near stop and you will have to break hard. Then it will clear, and then it will happen again.

Bears mentioning, here. Now that you know, you're one leg up!