I'm not 100% sure how AS's standby for earlier flight program works, but I'm pretty sure you can. They also have an option to confirm an earlier flight during the check-in process for $25.

But the more I think about it, the more I realize the sane option is to book the ANC-LAX nonstop that arrives at 7am--it's only $15 more than confirming the flight at web check-in, and the mileage earned is practically the same (I've been corrupted by the ideals of mileage runs, which is why it's hard to pay more than necessary--as I said, it's a game!) I think I'm going to go ahead and book that.

Thanks for the tips. If I were arriving at 8:45, I might risk doing it, but 9:03 is just too close for comfort--and that's saying a lot for me!

Hi, I'm going on a leisure trip to California next month flying in and out of LAX. I have booked a hotel in San Diego (close to Sea World) for the last night as I got a very good deal (=free).

When do we have to start driving towards LAX to be sure we won't miss our 4PM flight back to Europe? I have heard the traffic is pretty heavy in the LA-area.

If it makes any difference; we're talking about a weekday here (Friday).

Thanks in advance for all replies

I missed my NW flight to Asia a couple of years ago trying to return the rental car at LAX and taking their bus back to the terminal. So make sure you allow yourself enought time!!

Friday will be one of worst days, unfortunately.

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.

You might wish to avoid Interstate 405 between Long Beach and LAX since it always seems to be the worst. Once you connect with the I-405 in Orange County (it'll be the I-5 from SD to OC), then you might consider taking the I-605 north to the I-105 and then taking the I-105 west to LAX. It may be less of a problem. It sounds more complicated than it really is...take a look at a map and you'll see it's pretty straight forward and the 605 and 105 tend to be less congested than the 405 (which I try to avoid like the plague).

The other alternative is to leave SD first thing to try to avoid the afternoon traffic crunch, get close to LAX and stop off for lunch along the beach...Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Venice, etc. which are all within 20 minutes or so of LAX.

Email back if you have any other questions.

Anyway you could pay a bit more and change your ticket to add on a SAN/LAX flight? Its a quick flight with a beautiful view and beats dealing with the 5/405. With timing for driving, its very hard to say. No traffic, you are looking at right around 2 hours, with traffic it could take 4 hours. I'd say leave about 9am or so. If you get to the LAX airport are quite early, head over to Dinahs Fried Chicken restaurant off of Sepulveda (just north of LAX). You'll have a great lunch and know you wont be worrying about missing your flight.

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.

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.

When we fly out of LAX we usually leave SD about 4 hours before our flight so we have enough time to get there and check in. We don't have to wait in lines for security and check in, but we'll leave earlier to factor that in when necessary.

Friday afternoon traffic in SD on the 5N is also pretty bad. It will probably take you about 40min from La Jolla to get to Carlsbad on a Friday afternoon and that traffic starts anywhere around 1pm. Also depending when you're here the fair will be in Del Mar which adds even more time on the commute.

So for sake of sanity I'd leave San Diego around 11am to beat traffic and have time up in LA to not be rushed.

You should be OK leaving at noon. Traffic tends to start after 1 pm in SD and after 2 pm from SNA to 405/22 merge. For smth absolutely critical I would leave at 11 and, with time to spare, stop for lunch somewhere along the way (Irvine/Costa Mesa).

I often catch BR11 leaving LAX at 500:PM on Fridays. I drive from El Cajon to LAX. For the 5:00PM flight I leave at noon. I usually wind up checking in with about 1 1/2 hours before departure for this international flight, after parking lot and shuttle bus. But I have occasionally only made it with 45 minutes to spare due to traffic. I say 5 hours to be comfortable. For a domestic flight with OLCI maybe 4 hours but no less.

I live right between San Diego and Los Angeles. If you are planning to check-in 3 hours before your flight, I would say leave no later than 10:00 am. It will be a 2 hour drive minimum. You need to deal with the rental car at LAX, gas, etc, then take their shuttle to the airport. That could take you an hour.
That puts you at the terminal around 1:00 pm. So. Cal traffic stops to look at a cup in the road, so why get stressed out trying to make an international flight? Hope this helps...

Have you considered leaving your rental car in San Diego and taking Amtrak to LA? Less stressful, the Amtrak drops you off at Union Station in downtown LA, which is not a bad place to grab some lunch. (not the best, but not bad ) and Union Station is cool!

Then a $3 Flyaway bus from Union Station to LAX.

This would be my choice, but then again I drive the 405 every day so I am sure as heck not driving it if I am on vacation!

I don't think that most rental car companies allow a free drop off in SAN of a car picked up at LAX - having to pay a drop charge may well negate the savings gained from the free hotel room.....

It all depends on the rental car company. But in most cases you can do a one way rental without any major drop fee, rate increase, etc.

The last time I went from SD to LAX on a weekday (non-friday), it took a bit over 2 hours. (Road) travel wasn't extremely heavy. On a Friday, I'd probably leave San Diego at 11am (just to be safe) and not have to rush. If you have to check in luggage or return a rental car, that should give you enough time.

LAX airport is convenient from my experience, but you can't predict it. One time, the security line was really long and I went straight to the elite status line (much shorter, but it was still a line). By the time I got through, most people have boarded (I was the last of the two to board). I was only off by a few minutes, but it's it's actually one of few times when they either boarded earlier/on time rather than late. Go figure.

not to be disagreeable...but if I was not used to traveling through S. Cal on a Friday (any Friday), trying to catch a flight at LAX (any day of the week), no way to manage traffic, TSA, etc. and not wanting to worry about making my Int. flight, I would build-in cushion time on all ends. but, that's just me. to those like you, me, others who are more versed on this S. Cal/LAX chaos, my suggested timeline may be too conservative.