Travel from Las Vegas & Nevada for the 2028 LA Olympics: Driving, Flying, Trains, Costs & Tips

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (July 14–30, 2028) are just two years away, and Southern California is already preparing for an estimated 15+ million visitors. For Nevadans, especially those in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Reno, the Games are close enough to drive, fly, or even take a high-speed train. But with I-15 traffic, LAX congestion, hotel prices expected to triple, and rental car shortages, planning ahead is critical.

Here’s everything you need to know about getting to the LA Olympics 2028 from Nevada.

Quick Guide: Getting to LA Olympics 2028 from Nevada

• Driving: ~270 miles from Las Vegas, between 4 and 4.5 hours with normal to no traffic, 6-10+ hours during peak Olympics weekends with moderate to heavy traffic.
• Flying: 1-hour flight from Harry Reid (LAS) to LAX, Long Beach (LGB), Ontario (ONT), John Wayne (SNA), or Burbank (BUR)
• Train: Brightline West high-speed rail (Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga) expected to open late 2028, but unknown if it will be in time for the Games.
• Best option for most: Drive early or fly to Long Beach or John Wayne for smaller airports
• Book flights, hotels, and rentals 12-18 months ahead, as prices will surge dramatically the closer we get to 2028.

How to Drive from Las Vegas to the LA Olympics in 2028

Distance: ~270 miles (Las Vegas to downtown LA)

Normal drive time: 4–4.5 hours

Olympics reality: Expect 6-10+ hours one way on peak days (heavy travel days in and out of town, such as Fridays and Sundays)

Why most Nevadans will drive

• Cheapest for groups (gas approximately $80-$120 round trip at 2026 prices)
• Full flexibility to leave and return when you want
• No baggage limits for gear, coolers, or souvenirs

Biggest challenges

• I-15 becomes a parking lot during major events. Locals can tell you that Coachella, EDC, and July 4th already prove this.
• Projected 2028 peak: Friday and Sunday mornings southbound and Sunday and Monday evenings northbound will be the absolute worst. Buckle up and bring all of your patience.
• Ongoing I-15 widening projects in the Primm and Baker areas may still be in progress, causing bottlenecks

Pro tips for driving

• Leave Las Vegas at or between 3 and 5 a.m. to beat traffic.
• Use Waze or Google Maps for real-time routing, and avoid I-15 through Barstow if any alternate routes are faster.
• Book hotels in San Bernardino, Riverside, or Orange County to break up the drive.
• Fill up gas in Primm or Baker as gas prices spike closer to LA.
• Carpool! Nevada plates may get extra attention in LA; try to avoid parking violations (they’re expensive).

Best Airports for Flying from Nevada to Los Angeles Olympics

Airports: Harry Reid International (LAS) → LAX, Long Beach (LGB), John Wayne (SNA), Ontario (ONT), Burbank (BUR)

Typical flight time: 1 hour

2028 reality: 3-6+ hours door-to-door with crowds, security, delays, and ground transport.

Pros

• Fastest in normal conditions
• LGB, ONT, and SNA are smaller and always less chaotic airports than LAX.

Cons

• LAX will be overwhelmed (there are already 88+ million passengers passing through LAX annually, pre-Olympics).
• Rental car shortages and $200+/day rates are being predicted.
• Ground transport from LAX to venues can take 1-3 hours in traffic.

Best airports for Nevadans going to Events in CA

• Long Beach (LGB): Smallest airport, closest to many venues, and has the easiest parking.
• Ontario (ONT): Growing fast, but still significantly less crowded than LAX.
• John Wayne (SNA): Perfect for Orange County venues.
• LAX: Only if you must (direct flights are plentiful but the airport is extremely slow, crowded, and chaotic).

Tip: Book flights 12-18 months out. Prices will increase substantially the closer we get to 2028.

Will Brightline West Be Ready for the 2028 Olympics?

Brightline West high-speed rail is under construction and expected to open late 2028, possibly after the Olympics begin.

• Route: Las Vegas → Primm → (potential Baker stop) → Victorville → Rancho Cucamonga
• Travel time: approximately 2 hours
• From Rancho Cucamonga to LA: Metrolink or rideshare (around 1-1.5 hours)

Realistic 2028 scenario

• If Brightline opens early enough, it will be the easiest, most comfortable option.
• If completion is delayed, you’ll still take a bus and a train, which will put you right around 6-8 hours total travel time.

LA Olympics 2028 Traffic & The Parking Nightmare: What to Expect

• I-15, I-10, I-405, and the 101 Freeway will be JAMMED. 😏
• Parking near venues (Stadium, Coliseum, UCLA, USC, Inglewood) will be extremely limited and extremely expensive.
• Expect high-end surge pricing on rideshares and taxis.

How Much Will It Cost to Attend the LA Olympics from Las Vegas?

• Driving round trip: $80–$120 gas + $100–$300 parking/hotels
• Flying round trip: $200–$600+ (economy) + $100–$400 ground transport
• Hotels near venues: $300–$1,000+/night during Games
• Tickets: $100–$2,000+ per session (note: opening/closing ceremonies will be much higher)

Bottom Line for Nevada Olympic Travelers

• Drive if you can leave early and carpool.
• Fly to LGB, ONT, or SNA if you want a quicker trip.
• Take the train only if Brightline West is running
• Book everything NOW. We cannot stress that enough. Prices and availability will disappear faster than you can even imagine.

And remember: If you’re injured while attending or traveling to the 2028 LA Olympics, the Nevada injury claim lawyers at Sam & Ash Injury Law can help on both sides of the state line.

Planning your Olympic trip?

Call (702) 820-1234 or text for a free consultation if anything goes wrong. 

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We’ll make sure you get What’s Right, even if the trip isn’t perfect.