Getting Around Inglewood
Inglewood sits in the middle of the Los Angeles basin, close to LAX and ringed by freeways, and it has become a major sports and entertainment destination. For a visitor, the practical question is how to move between the airport, the city's core, and the stadium and arena district without a car. The good news is that several modes overlap here: local and regional buses, two Metro rail lines that skirt the city, taxis and ride-hailing, and a growing network of shuttles and mobility hubs designed to close the gap between the rail lines and the destinations people actually want to reach.
Arriving by Air
Inglewood has no airport of its own, but it is surrounded by them, which is why the city has been nicknamed the "Harbor of the Air." Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the major airport serving the area. Hawthorne Municipal Airport lies just south of the city, and Compton Woodley, Santa Monica, and Long Beach airports are also nearby. For most visitors, LAX is the arrival point.
From LAX, the most straightforward transit option is a bus: Route 111 runs between LAX and Norwalk via Florence Avenue, and Route 117 runs between LAX and Downey via Century and Tweedy Boulevards. Both pass through Inglewood. If you would rather not navigate buses on arrival, taxis and ride-hailing are widely available, and there are many car rental shops in Inglewood, especially near LAX — often the fastest way to get in and around the city.
Rail: The Metro C and K Lines
Two Metro rail lines serve the edges of Inglewood rather than its center, so understanding where they run is the key to using them.
- The C Line runs along the 105 freeway at the south of Inglewood, stopping at Crenshaw, Hawthorne, and Aviation Boulevards. On game days, shuttles run from the Hawthorne Station to the stadium.
- The K Line runs along Florence Avenue at the north of Inglewood, stopping at West Boulevard, Market Street, and Hindry Avenue. The Downtown Inglewood Station on the K Line is the closest rail stop to the city's core.
Because both lines sit at the city's edges, the "last mile" into downtown Inglewood and the sports district is the part that requires planning — which is exactly what the city's transit projects are designed to address.
Buses and Local Transit
Buses are the workhorse of getting around Inglewood itself. Numerous routes and bus stations are scattered around the city, and many stop at main tourist destinations and restaurants such as Randy's and The Forum. Frequent service runs on several corridors:
- Route 40 — Downtown LA to South Bay via Florence, La Brea, and Hawthorne.
- Route 111 — LAX to Norwalk via Florence Avenue.
- Route 115 — Playa del Rey to Norwalk via Manchester and Firestone Boulevards.
- Route 117 — LAX to Downey via Century and Tweedy Boulevards.
- Route 212 — Hollywood to Hawthorne/Lennox Station via La Brea and Prairie Avenues.
For trip planning and schedules, Metro can be reached at 323-GO-METRO (466-3876), with TDD at 800-252-9040, and online trip planning is available at SocalTransport.org. Metro also runs the On the Move Riders Program, an outreach program offering workshops, events, tours, and travel training for older adults who want to use LA County bus and rail safely and independently. Reduced fares are available for qualified individuals, and discounted TAP (Transit Access Pass) cards can be arranged through taptogo.net. Metro Micro, an on-demand rideshare service, operates within several zones in LA County.
Shuttles, Mobility Hubs, and the Inglewood Transit Connector
Inglewood is in the middle of building out a system specifically meant to solve the first/last-mile problem between the Metro K and C Lines and key city destinations. The Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC) project, approved by the City Council as a public-private partnership, includes:
- Improved commuter shuttle service for everyday and event-day trips, closing the first/last-mile gap between the Metro K and C Lines and key city destinations.
- Dedicated event-day shuttle lanes running from north and south of the city to the sports and entertainment district, with synchronized signals giving buses priority through the corridor.
- Three mobility hubs, the largest at Market & Florence, including a bus plaza, parking, transit-oriented development, and a kiss-and-ride lot. Together the hubs deliver more than 1,000 new parking stalls.
- A pedestrian bridge over Florence Avenue connecting the downtown core directly to the K Line's Downtown Inglewood Station.
- Right-of-way preserved for a future high-capacity automated people mover system.
Construction is underway, with roadway work primarily at night and mobility hub construction during the day. Market Street, Manchester Boulevard, and Queen Street are being rebuilt block by block, with business access maintained and advance notice given to businesses and the public. Event-day bus lanes and an Intelligent Transportation Systems program are being designed under separate city contracts. Lot T at Prairie and Manchester is complete and is used as flexible event space. The Market & Florence Hub and pedestrian bridge will be operated and maintained by the developer for 20 years, while the streetscape and the two other hubs return to the city upon acceptance. Streetscape improvements along Market Street, Manchester Boulevard, and Queen Street include new hardscape and landscaping, irrigation, traffic controls, wayfinding, street furniture, and pedestrian-scale lighting, coordinated with the city's Destination Market Street program.
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, L.A. Metro moved record numbers of fans to and from SoFi Stadium matches using dedicated bus lanes, signal priority, and expanded shuttle service — a preview of how event-day travel in Inglewood is intended to work.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis and ride-hailing services are a practical option throughout Inglewood, particularly for trips that begin or end at LAX, where car rental shops are also concentrated. For visitors whose destinations are the stadium, arena, or Forum area, ride-hailing avoids the parking and traffic complications of the freeway corridors. Metro Micro, Metro's on-demand rideshare service, is another option within certain LA County zones.
Driving and Car Rental
Inglewood is not served by any major Interstate, U.S., or California Highway Route directly, but it is served by auxiliary Interstates. Interstate 405, near LAX, is always busy. Interstates 105 and 110, though less busy, are still pretty clogged with traffic. California State Highway Route 90 does not go directly to Inglewood but runs nearby. If you want less traffic to deal with, a slower but calmer approach is to take Route 90, then West Slauson Avenue, then South La Cienega Boulevard, and finally turn at West Manchester Boulevard. There are many car rental shops in Inglewood, especially near LAX, and driving is probably one of the fastest ways of getting in and around the city.
Walkability and Accessible Options
Walking is most practical in the downtown core and around specific destinations rather than as a way to cross the whole city. The new pedestrian bridge over Florence Avenue, connecting the downtown core directly to the K Line's Downtown Inglewood Station, is designed to make that walk safer and more direct, and the streetscape program adds pedestrian-scale lighting and wayfinding along Market Street, Manchester Boulevard, and Queen Street.
For residents, seniors aged 60 and over, and disabled persons, the City of Inglewood operates a Dial-A-Ride service based at the Inglewood Senior Center, 111 N Locust St. It runs Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with no weekend or major holiday service. The fare is $0.50 each way, or $5.00 for a monthly pass, and personal care attendants ride free. Vehicles are wheelchair-accessible, and the service area includes locations in Hawthorne and Lennox. RIDEINFO, a referral service run by Access, can help match individuals with accessible transportation; it does not endorse or guarantee providers, so details should be verified with each agency. Contact is available at rideinfo@accessla.org or TransitOptions@accessla.org, by phone at 800-431-7882, or by TDD at 800-431-9731, Monday through Friday, 8AM–5PM.
Practical Summary
For a visitor, the simplest approach is to treat Inglewood as a place where buses do the local work, the Metro C and K Lines provide regional connections at the city's southern and northern edges, and shuttles plus the emerging mobility hubs bridge the gap to the sports and entertainment district. Buy and load a TAP card for Metro services, use Route 111 or 117 if you are coming from LAX, and rely on ride-hailing or a rental car for direct trips. If you are heading to a stadium or arena event, check for event-day shuttle service from the Hawthorne Station and along the dedicated event corridors before you set out.