Winter in Los Angeles might not bring snow, but it definitely brings excitement. From holiday festivals to sports games and seasonal attractions, the city becomes packed with locals and tourists looking for easy transportation. For rideshare and delivery drivers, this season creates some of the best earning opportunities of the year.
If you’re using one of our cheap rental cars for rideshare and delivery drivers, this guide will help you maximize every shift by knowing exactly where and when demand spikes across LA.
1. Winter Theme Park Events (Universal Studios & Disneyland)
During winter, theme parks transform with dazzling holiday lights and seasonal shows. This draws thousands of extra visitors daily.
High-Demand Times
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Park opening & closing
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Weekend evenings
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Special event nights
Why It’s Profitable
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Tourists rely heavily on Uber/Lyft
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Long-distance trips from LAX or hotels
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Frequent surge pricing during event nights
Driving a fuel-efficient economy rental with unlimited miles helps keep your costs low during long trips.
2. LA Live: Concerts, Ice Skating, and Holiday Performances
LA Live hosts dozens of winter shows, outdoor ice skating, and family-friendly events. It’s one of the most reliable pickup zones in December and January.
Peak Hours
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Late afternoons
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Evening show endings
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Weekends
Great for quick, high-turnover rides in a dense area.
3. Christmas Shopping Hotspots: The Grove, Citadel Outlets & Century City
Winter in LA means massive holiday shopping crowds. As parking fills up, rideshare demand rises sharply.
Expect High Traffic & High Earnings At:
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The Grove
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Glendale Galleria
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Citadel Outlets
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Westfield Century City
With an affordable LA rental car, you can hop between shopping districts all day without mileage worries.
4. Sports Events: Lakers, Clippers & Kings Games
Winter is peak season for NBA and NHL games at Crypto.com Arena.
Post-game demand is consistently strong.
Best Times to Work
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One hour before tipoff
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Game endings (major surge pricing)
Crowds often request short rides to nearby hotels—great for quick earnings.
5. LAX and Burbank Airport – Holiday Travel Rush
Airport traffic spikes from November through January. Winter travel boosts rideshare demand earlier and later than usual.
Peak Demand Times
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Early mornings
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Red-eye arrivals
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Day before holidays
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First weekday after holiday weekends
Airport trips are some of the highest-paying rides, and unlimited-mile rentals make it even easier to accept long-distance drop-offs.
6. New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day – The Biggest Earnings of the Year
Nothing compares to NYE in LA. Whether it’s Santa Monica, Hollywood, Downtown, or private mansion parties, requests surge non-stop.
High-Demand Windows
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6 PM–11 PM (party drop-offs)
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12 AM–4 AM (post-midnight surges)
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New Year’s Day morning (airport + brunch pickups)
Many drivers see their highest income of the entire year during this 24-hour period.
7. Winter Weather Advantage: Clear LA Roads After Rain
While LA doesn’t see snow, winter brings rain—and rain always increases rideshare requests.
Why Rain = Profit
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People avoid walking
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Avoiding traffic stress
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Event and mall pickups spike
With LA Elite Rentals handling maintenance and insurance, drivers stay prepared for wet-road conditions.
Tips for Maximizing Earnings During Winter Events
Position yourself before events end
Beat competitors by arriving early.
Track bonuses & promotions
Holiday weeks include generous incentives from Uber, Lyft, and delivery apps.
Use economy rentals to save on fuel
More miles, less cost = more profit.
Keep your car clean for 5-star ratings
Winter events often attract high-tipping riders.
Drive the Winter Rush With LA Elite Rentals
LA Elite Rentals provides rideshare and delivery drivers with:
Cheap rental cars for rideshare and delivery drivers
Unlimited miles included
Insurance included
Maintenance included
Fuel-efficient economy cars perfect for long shifts
Whether you’re gearing up for holiday events, theme park pickups, or New Year’s Eve rush hours, we make sure your rental keeps you earning.
📩 Message us today to reserve your winter rental!
