The holiday season in Los Angeles brings beautiful lights, festive events, and—unfortunately—some of the worst traffic of the year. For rideshare and delivery drivers, navigating this chaos can be overwhelming. But with the right strategies (and the right cheap rental car for rideshare and delivery drivers), you can turn the busy season into your most profitable one.
Whether you’re driving Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, or Amazon Flex, here’s your complete guide to surviving LA’s holiday traffic stress-free and earning more.
1. Know the Holiday Traffic Hotspots
Traffic in LA spikes around major attractions and seasonal events. Expect delays near:
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The Grove & The Americana at Brand
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LAX and Burbank Airport
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LA Live & Crypto.com Arena
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Griffith Park Holiday Lights
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Shopping centers like Westfield Century City
Plan your routes using Waze or Google Maps and avoid bottlenecks when possible. Many drivers prefer economy rentals with unlimited miles, so they can reroute as needed without worrying about mileage fees.
2. Drive During High-Demand Hours
Holiday demand is unpredictable, but these time frames are consistently busy:
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Weekday evenings (4 PM–9 PM)
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Weekend mornings and nights
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Days before Christmas & New Year’s Eve
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Airport peak hours: 5 AM–9 AM & 4 PM–8 PM
More demand means surge pricing—great news for drivers using affordable rideshare rentals in LA to maximize profits.
3. Use Navigation Apps Smartly
Turn on Waze, Google Maps, Uber Driver, and Lyft Driver apps simultaneously. Each offers different insights—accidents, rerouting, surge zones, and road closures.
Pro tip: Set up multiple routes in advance to avoid last-minute decisions that slow you down.
4. Keep Your Car Holiday-Ready
A reliable vehicle is your biggest asset. Make sure your car is:
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Well-maintained
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Fuel-efficient
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Comfortable for passengers
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Equipped with functioning AC/heater
Drivers who don’t want to deal with maintenance choose LA Elite Rentals for economy cars with unlimited miles, insurance, and maintenance included, perfect for rideshare and delivery work during peak season.
5. Master Passenger Communication
During the holidays, travelers may be stressed, running late, or carrying extra luggage. Small gestures go far:
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Confirm pickup points
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Offer help with bags
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Keep a calm, professional tone
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Provide optional amenities like bottled water
Happy passengers = better tips.
6. Track Your Earnings and Expenses
With heavy traffic comes longer trips and more fuel consumption. Keep track of:
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Mileage
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Fuel costs
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Time spent driving
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Surge zones and bonuses
If you’re using a cheap rental car for rideshare, make sure it includes unlimited miles so every trip stays profitable.
7. Choose the Right Rental Car
To survive LA’s holiday traffic, you need:
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A fuel-efficient economy car
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Unlimited miles
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Insurance included
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Fast approval
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No hidden fees
That’s why gig drivers choose LA Elite Rentals—we offer affordable rideshare rentals designed specifically for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, and Amazon Flex drivers.
Final Thoughts
The holiday rush in LA doesn’t have to be stressful. With smart planning, the right strategies, and the right vehicle, you can earn more while staying safe on the road. Whether you’re a full-time rideshare driver or picking up holiday shifts, having a reliable economy rental car with unlimited miles makes all the difference.
