Under normal conditions, San Diego to LAX is ~2 hours, but there is a lot to go wrong, and Friday afternoon traffic can be particularly bad. Also if you are flying out of the TBIT and checking baggage, that adds time, because you have to go through the baggage screen separately after checking in, so even arriving 1 hour before youtr flight can be tight.
Allowing for the rental car return, setting out at 11 would not be over-cautious. I am 20 minutes closer to LAX than downtown, do not check bags, and can, at a pinch, park in short term; I would set out a little after 12 for a Friday 4pm TATL/Transpac.
Originally Posted by
jacknyoc
For Inter. flights, you'll like have to be at LAX by 1:30 or so. It will take you about 3-3 1/2 hours from SD to LAX at that time of day...could be more or a bit less.
I do not agree with this; if you want to plan to be there
at least 2.5 hours before to avoid feeling stressed, than that is sensible, but for practical purposes, arriving 90 minutes before is very viable.
Planning to arrive 90 minutes before would be unwise if checking bags, as it leaves little room for error. Similarly, 3.5 hours drive is very much a worst case situation at what would be Friday lunchtime - IOW, 3.5 hours includes all the margin for risk that you need.