What It Costs to Get to Work in L.A.
Driving in and parking versus Santa Clarita Transit's Commuter Express to Downtown L.A. — set your own days and car and see which costs less over a year.
Most of the valley leaves for work, and most of us drive. Here's what getting to Downtown Los Angeles actually costs over a year — driving in and parking, or riding Santa Clarita Transit's Commuter Express. Set how many days a week you go, and your own car, to see which comes out ahead for you. Nothing you type is saved or sent.
Your ways to Downtown L.A.
| Way | You drive | Cost a day |
|---|---|---|
| Drive in and park | 64 mi | from $21.03 |
| Commuter Express bus to Downtown L.A. | — | $9.00 |
- Drive in and park: Drive I-5 to the SR-14 split and on into Downtown — about 32 miles each way, longer in the morning rush.
- Commuter Express bus to Downtown L.A.: Board the Commuter Express (routes 794, 797, 792, 799) at a Santa Clarita Transit park-and-ride — the McBean Regional Transit Center and the other valley lots, where parking is free.
What each way costs over a year
- Commuter Express bus to Downtown L.A.Cheapest$2,070 a year
$9.00 a day · Board the Commuter Express (routes 794, 797, 792, 799) at a Santa Clarita Transit park-and-ride — the McBean Regional Transit Center and the other valley lots, where parking is free.
No freeway driving and no Downtown parking to find — best if your work is a walk or a short Metro ride from where the bus drops you.
Paying per ride — a monthly pass pays off from about 7 days a week.
Two $4.50 fares a day on a TAP card (cash is $5.00 each way). The yearly figure leaves out the short drive or walk to your park-and-ride. A $220 monthly pass also covers weekend travel and the other Commuter Express routes.
- Drive in and parkfrom $4,837 a year
from $21.03 a day · Drive I-5 to the SR-14 split and on into Downtown — about 32 miles each way, longer in the morning rush.
Door-to-door and on your own schedule — but the dearest way, and Downtown parking adds up.
Parking shown as a monthly permit near the job (about $150-$220 a month) worked out per day; pay-as-you-go Downtown garages run more like $20-$40 a day. The 64-mile round trip is the fuel that drives this figure.
Fuel worked out at 25 mpg and $4.70 a gallon, over 46 commuting weeks a year. Change the days — or your own car — above.
“From” figures are a representative estimate, not a fixed fare — city-centre car parks vary and can run higher.
These are running costs only — fuel, parking and fares. They leave out the fixed cost of keeping a car (insurance, tax, servicing, wear), which you pay whether you drive in or not.