Commuting From Los Cerritos: 405, 710 & The A Line

Staring down the morning rush from Los Cerritos and wondering which route wins your time back? You have strong options, but each behaves differently during peak hours. With the right plan, you can balance driving on I-405 or I-710 with a reliable A Line rail backup. In this guide, you’ll learn how each corridor works, what projects may change your commute, and how to test the routes that fit your routine. Let’s dive in.

Where Los Cerritos connects to work

Los Cerritos sits inside Bixby Knolls just north of I-405, with quick access via Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach Boulevard, Wardlow, Carson, Del Amo, Studebaker and Lakewood. These streets feed the ramps for I-405 and I-710 and connect you to nearby A Line stations. For a quick neighborhood orientation, review the area overview for Los Cerritos in Long Beach to see how local arterials tie into these corridors. Los Cerritos neighborhood overview

Common destinations include Downtown Long Beach, Downtown Los Angeles, LAX and job centers along the 710 corridor. Driving times vary widely with congestion, so always check live traffic before you go. For central LA trips, the A Line offers a car-free alternative that avoids downtown parking.

I-405: what to expect

Role and reach

I-405 runs just south of Los Cerritos and is the primary route to LAX, the Westside and connections to I-10 and US-101. It also serves as a key link to regional job centers.

Congestion and timing

Peak congestion is common, especially at interchanges. Off-peak trips can be much faster. For commute reliability, plan around peak patterns and have a backup route.

Current projects to watch

Caltrans has a multi-year I-405 pavement rehabilitation in the Sepulveda Pass area, with work scheduled to start in 2025 and continue into 2028–2029. Expect occasional night or weekend closures in the broader corridor. I-405 pavement rehabilitation

Metro and Caltrans are also studying ExpressLanes on parts of I-405. Environmental review is in progress, and future work could add tolled lane options. I-405 ExpressLanes study

Tips for 405 commuters

• Test your exact route during your real commute hours.
• Monitor construction windows that can shift ramp or arterial patterns.
• Keep an alternate plan, like a different departure time or an A Line option.

I-710: what to expect

Role and reach

I-710 is the main north-south link for the Port of Long Beach and connects to I-10 and US-101 toward central Los Angeles. It is the most direct route for many jobs in southeast LA County and downtown LA when driving.

Policy shift and local projects

Large widening plans and the proposed north-end extension have been halted or re-scoped. Current efforts focus on operational improvements, safety and port access. Near downtown Long Beach, bridge and Shoreline Drive realignments will change south-end circulation and create detours during construction. I-710 policy and project status

Tips for 710 commuters

• Expect heavy freight and peak-hour queues.
• Maintain alternative routes and check for incidents before you leave.
• Watch for changes near the port and downtown interchanges as bridge work advances.

A Line: car-free to Downtown LA

Nearest stations and access

From Los Cerritos, riders commonly use Wardlow, Willow, or Del Amo stations. Walking times vary by block, and Willow and Wardlow are popular park-and-ride choices. For a quick sense of proximity from Los Cerritos Park Place, check a local trip tool. Station proximity reference

Willow offers one of the largest garages in Long Beach, Wardlow has a smaller lot, and Del Amo provides additional capacity. Review the latest counts, permits and pricing before you go. Metro parking by line

Service and travel times

The A Line runs long hours, with peak trains as frequent as about every 8 minutes and daytime service often 8–12 minutes. A full Long Beach to Downtown LA ride typically takes roughly 45–60 minutes depending on where you board and the time of day. A Line overview and service

The A Line is also extending east into the San Gabriel Valley, which can shift regional travel patterns and make rail more attractive for some commutes. A Line extension update

Fares and payment

Metro’s base fare is $1.75. With TAP fare capping, you never pay more than $5 per day or $18 per week on regular fares when you use stored value. This helps if you mix rail and bus. Metro fare capping explained

Tips for rail riders

• Time your full door-to-door trip, including walking and parking, during commute hours.
• Compare a typical weekday A Line run to your drive on the same day.
• Use park-and-ride at Willow, Wardlow or Del Amo if walking is not practical.

Last-mile and parking options

• Bus feeders: Long Beach Transit and Metro buses connect neighborhoods to Wardlow, Willow and Del Amo stations. Use a trip planner for your exact address.
• Biking and walking: Many Los Cerritos blocks are walkable to stations, but distance varies by home. Measure walk times before you commit.
• Rideshare and micromobility: Ride-hail and e-bikes or scooters, where allowed, can close the last-mile gap.

How to test your commute

• Morning and evening, drive your most likely route to I-405 or I-710 and record the time both ways.
• Do a rail trial: park at Willow or Wardlow, ride the A Line to your typical stop, then back, and log total time.
• Repeat on different weekdays to see variability from incidents and weather.
• Save a backup plan, such as an earlier departure, a local arterial, or an A Line fallback when traffic is heavy.

For sellers: highlight commute benefits buyers value

• Note proximity to the nearest A Line stations and parking options at Willow, Wardlow or Del Amo. Metro parking by line
• Reference typical A Line headways, with trains often every 8–12 minutes, and a Downtown LA rail trip around 45–60 minutes depending on time and station. A Line overview and service
• Describe flexible driving options to I-405 for LAX and the Westside, and I-710 for downtown and port-area jobs. I-405 ExpressLanes study | I-710 status
• Encourage buyers to test the door-to-door commute during peak hours for the most accurate picture.

What could change next

• I-405 repaving in the Sepulveda Pass area is scheduled through 2028–2029, which can shift closure patterns for regional trips. I-405 pavement rehabilitation
• I-405 ExpressLanes remain under study, which could add future tolled options in some segments. I-405 ExpressLanes study
• I-710 widening is not moving forward as once planned. Expect targeted improvements and ongoing port-area bridge and circulation changes near downtown Long Beach. I-710 policy and project status
• The A Line’s eastward extension broadens rail reach and may make transit more compelling for some commutes. A Line extension update

If you want a home that fits your commute or a listing that showcases smart access to I-405, I-710 and the A Line, let’s talk. With integrated brokerage, licensed contracting and staging, Perry Handy Homes helps you optimize ROI and move with confidence.

FAQs

From Los Cerritos to Downtown LA: is driving or the A Line faster?

• It depends on the hour, since peak congestion can make rail comparable or more reliable, while off-peak driving is often faster.

Is there parking at Willow, Wardlow or Del Amo A Line stations?

• Yes, with Willow offering one of the largest garages in Long Beach and Wardlow and Del Amo providing additional park-and-ride options.

Will new freeway lanes on I-710 or I-405 dramatically cut my drive time?

• Large I-710 widening is not advancing, and I-405 work focuses on pavement rehab and an ExpressLanes study, so expect targeted fixes rather than sweeping congestion relief.

What are Metro fares for regular A Line riders?

• The base fare is $1.75, and fare capping with TAP limits your total to $5 per day or $18 per week on regular fares.