My nephew is coming for an orientation at UCLA Tuesday. We have to be on campus at 8:30 am.

I am telling them we have to be on the freeway by 6:30 am to allow for getting into the parking lot and walking to wherever his meeting is.

Anyone with any recent first hand experience on the 405 that can comment on this?

Thankfully this is a one-time deal.

Thanks.

I have lived in LA and still visit. you will be driving into the teeth of the rush hour. 2 hours is about right. but getting around UCLA (finding the right parking garage, building etc.) is not easy, particularly if he has never been there before.

Leaving at 6:30 AM should get you there no later than 8 AM, honestly. If taking the 405 all the way aggravates you like it does me:

-- Take the 405 north up to LAX.

-- Grab Century or Imperial Highway west, then turn right on Sepúlveda. Drive north into Westwood.

This doesn't save any time, by the way-- it just keeps you off the parking lot that is the 405 between LAX and the 10. But in any case, you will get up into Westwood by 8, which will give you some time to find parking.

Thank you both. I was afraid I was right about the two hours.

I am a Bruin class of ....(too old to tell)...and recently escorted the other nephew so have been through the parking drill recently, but not at morning rush hour.

I have another alternative route, used to get to Rancho Park.. involving Normandie and Slauson, but I don't want to scare them, so I think we will take freeway.