Los Angeles

North America > United States > Los Angeles (LAX)

The Car or no Car advice for  Los Angeles can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Los Angeles ;  is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).

🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Los Angeles ?

These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.

🇺🇸 Mode

Score
🚆 Non-car score non-car score 5

💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Los Angeles?

These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.

🇺🇸 Factor

Score
🚗 Car Score car rental availability score 7
🚗Do we need a car in Los Angeles? Is it worth it? Should we rent one? | Comment
🎬 Los Angeles (LAX): Do You Need a Car? Here’s the Real Hollywood Answer

Los Angeles isn’t just a city — it’s an entire urban region spread across beaches, hills, studios, and neighbourhoods that can take an hour to get between even without traffic. So the question is:

🚗 Yes – in most cases, you do need a car in Los Angeles.
🚫 You can skip the car only if you plan to stay in one small area or rely on rideshares the entire time.

Let’s break it down clearly and realistically.

🚗 Why You Should Rent a Car in Los Angeles

LA is designed for driving. Distances are large, attractions are scattered, and public transport doesn’t efficiently connect the places most visitors want to go.

✅ A Car Gives You:

  • Total freedom over your schedule

  • Access to beaches, hills, studios, observatories, and coastal drives

  • The ability to visit multiple neighbourhoods in one day

  • Faster travel times than public transport (even with traffic!)

Essential LA Experiences That Require a Car:

  • Drive through Hollywood Hills & Mulholland Drive

  • Visit Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice Beach

  • Explore Griffith Observatory

  • Head to Disneyland or Universal Studios

  • Take a day trip to Palm Springs or Joshua Tree

  • Cruise the Pacific Coast Highway

➡ In LA, the car isn’t just transport — it’s part of the culture.

🚕 When You Can Go Car-Free

You can avoid renting a car only if:

  • You’re staying in Downtown, Santa Monica, or Hollywood

  • You’re attending a conference or staying local in one neighbourhood

  • You’re happy using Uber/Lyft for every trip

  • You don’t plan to explore beyond a 5–10 mile radius

Public Transport Reality:

  • Metro Rail exists, but it doesn’t reach everywhere tourists want to go

  • Buses are slow and depend on traffic

  • Rideshares are plentiful, but costs can add up quickly

🚫 If you rely only on Uber for a full sightseeing trip, you may spend more than a car rental.

🧭 Quick Decision Table

Your LA Trip Style Car Needed?
Exploring Hollywood, Beverly Hills, beaches ✅ Yes
Visiting multiple areas each day ✅ Yes
Staying in one area for business ❌ No
Using rideshare for 1–2 daily trips only ❌ No (optional)
Driving Pacific Coast Highway ✅ Yes
Day trips to Disneyland, Palm Springs ✅ Yes

🎯 Final Verdict

  • 🚗 Rent a car if you want to actually experience Los Angeles. The city sprawls, and the best spots are far apart.

  • 🚕 Go car-free only if you’re staying in one neighbourhood or don’t mind paying for Ubers everywhere.

  • LA rewards mobility — and having your own car is the key to unlocking it.

🌴 In Los Angeles, freedom is four wheels and a full tank.

🚗Do we need a car in Los Angeles? Is it worth it? Should we? Destinations | Comment

🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary score brings how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation.

🇺🇸 Factor

Score
🚗Should You Rent a Car in Los Angeles?
 overall should you rent a car score 6
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