Drive through the desert: How long does it take to travel from Avondale, Arizona to Los Angeles, California?

Are you planning a road trip from Avondale, Arizona to Los Angeles, California, but wondering about the driving time and best route? Well, the distance between the two cities is approximately 373 miles, which takes around six hours without any traffic stops. However, your travel time will vary based on traffic, route, and time of day. So, let's take a dive into the details of the options you have and their driving times.

The fastest and slowest routes

The most common route drivers take from Avondale, Arizona, to Los Angeles, California, is via I-10 and I-405. This route takes approximately 6 hours, but traffic can significantly impact travel time on I-405. The crawl becomes long enough that looking for an alternate route could save you time. In that sense, motorists often opt for two different routes, depending on their choices.

The first route you may want to consider from Avondale to Los Angeles is via 1-10 and US-60 W. This route expands to 406.4 miles, adding just 20 minutes to the driving duration. Surprisingly, this route has far less traffic than the traditional routing to Los Angeles features. Thus, the travel time is only six hours without so much stopping for traffic.

If you're driving to LA in a hurry, the fastest route is the other option. This route takes you through I-10 W and I-110 S, which covers only 374.4 miles. The catch is the sporadic traffic conditions that tend to slow you down. As a result, the drive takes around 5 hours and 50 minutes on average. While this highway's maximum speed limit is 70 miles per hour, a high traffic density causes significant traffic build-up during peak times, particularly when the highways overlap – resulting in delays and unpredictable travel times.

Traffic patterns that affect drive time

As we all know, traffic can transform a 6-hour hiking experience into multiple-hour agony. Traveling during peak traffic hours suggests that the drive time can take longer than anticipated. For instance, driving on weekdays from 7 am to 9 am or 4 pm to 7 pm could mean delays of up to 35 minutes in the LA area. While you're assured of a scenic drive towards your destination, you might want to consider the consequences of driving during peak hours.

However, Traffic in LA, CA often makes the drive times unpredictable. Typically, driving through Los Angeles toward West Hollywood is best done in the later part of the day. During rush hours, you will waste an extra hour waiting to move just a few miles. Therefore, plan to pass through the Los Angeles area by 2 pm to avoid heavy traffic on I-405.

Conclusion

In conclusion, driving from Avondale, Arizona to Los Angeles, California, can range from six hours to over eight hours, depending on many factors. While the fastest route is via 1-10 W and 1-110 S, it's no secret that Los Angeles traffic is well-known for its unpredictability and can change at any point in time. For a more peaceful surface-level ride, you can consider the often less busy I-10 and US-60 W route to LA. So always plan your trip to get out of Avondale, AZ, in the early morning or right after lunch to anticipate the most typical LA traffic patterns, so you'll have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience along the way.