Interstate 105 - California Travel Information

Interstate 105

Interstate 105 is the Glenn Anderson Freeway (also known as the Century Freeway), connecting El Segundo and Los Angeles International Airport with Norwalk and Interstate 605. The freeway was opened to traffic in 1993, and it was featured in several of the chase sequences in the movie Speed. Although the freeway was originally intended to connect to Interstate 5 and possibly continue east toward Orange County and California 91, it was truncated at Interstate 605. No plans currently exist for any extension of Interstate 105 to the east.

Eastbound Interstate 105
	Upon passing the California Street traffic signal, Imperial Highway immediately splits, with left lanes entering the freeway and right lanes linking to Imperial Highway. These signs provide a choice for motorists along eastbound. Note the freeway entrance signs posted at the bottom of the overhead sign support; these mark the western terminus of Interstate 105. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	After a brief elevated viaduct section adjacent to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Interstate 105 meets Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Interstate 105 continues east toward Inglewood, South Gate, Downey, and Norwalk, while Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway leads south to Long Beach and north to the San Fernando Valley. The section of Interstate 405 north of here, between Interstate 105 and Interstate 10/Santa Monica Freeway, is among the busiest freeways in the country. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Mileage sign along eastbound Interstate 105 for Exit 7A, Vermont Avenue; Exit 7B, Interstate 110/Harbor Freeway; and Exit 8, Central Avenue. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Eastbound Interstate 105 approaching Exit 7A, Vermont Avenue and Exit 7B, Interstate 110/Harbor Freeway. Note that Vermont Avenue is not mentioned on this sign and that the sign itself is shrouded in barbed wire. That is a common practice in Southern California. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	This sign allocates lanes for Interstate 105 and Interstate 110 along eastbound. The 105-110 interchange is arguably one of the most complex interchanges found in a state full of stacks. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Eastbound Interstate 105 at Exit 7A, Vermont Avenue. The next exit is Exit 7B, Interstate 110/Harbor Freeway, one-half mile. Photo taken 08/15/03.

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	Eastbound Interstate 105 at Exit 7B, Interstate 110/Harbor Freeway. Note the carpool (high occupancy vehicle) lanes have their own exits to the left. Interstate 110 heads north toward downtown Los Angeles and south toward Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	The next exit along eastbound is Exit 9, Central Avenue, followed by Exit 10, Wilmington Avenue. Eastbound Interstate 105/Glenn Anderson Freeway reaches Exit 10, Wilmington Avenue; the next exit is Exit 12, Long Beach Boulevard. Photo taken 05/30/04.
	The next three exits along eastbound Interstate 105/Glenn Anderson Freeway are Exit 12, Long Beach Boulevard; Exit 13, Junction Interstate 710/Long Beach Freeway; and Exit 14, Garfield Avenue. Photo taken 05/30/04.
	Eastbound Interstate 105/Glenn Anderson Freeway reaches Exit 12, Long Beach Boulevard. The next exit is Exit 13, Junction Interstate 710/Long Beach Freeway. Photo taken 05/30/04.
	The next three exits along eastbound Interstate 105/Glenn Anderson Freeway are Exit 13, Junction Interstate 710/Long Beach Freeway; Exit 14, Garfield Avenue; and Exit 16, Junction California 19/Lakewood Boulevard. Photo taken 05/30/04.
	Use Interstate 710/Long Beach Freeway south to reach Compton, Paramount, Carson, and Long Beach, as well as Terminal Island and San Pedro (via California 47). Use the right two lanes to reach Interstate 710 north/south (Exit 13). This is a rare reflective sign on Interstate 105. Photo taken 05/30/04.
	Eastbound Interstate 105/Glenn Anderson Freeway reaches the transition ramp for Exit 13, Junction Interstate 710/Long Beach Freeway. Use Interstate 710 north to reach Monterey Park, Alhambra, and East Los Angeles. Due to the lack of a freeway connection across South Pasadena, Interstate 710 does not connect to the city of Pasadena. Atlantic Boulevard or Fair Oaks Boulevard are alternate routes that can be used north of Interstate 10 to reach Pasadena. Photo taken 05/30/04.

Westbound Interstate 105
	Now on the transition ramp from eastbound Interstate 105/Glenn Anderson Freeway to Interstate 710, the symmetrical stack interchange offers a ramp to northbound and southbound Interstate 710/Long Beach Freeway. Photo taken 05/30/04.
	View of the transition ramp from northbound Interstate 605/San Gabriel Freeway onto westbound Interstate 105/Glenn Anderson Freeway. This marks the eastern terminus of Interstate 105. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Bellflower Road roughly parallels California 19/Lakewood Boulevard through Bellflower, Lakewood, and Long Beach, and it is a good alternate route through those cities. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Mileage sign along westbound for Exit 17/Bellflower Boulevard, Exit 16/Junction California 19, and Exit 15/Paramount Boulevard. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 at Exit 17, Bellflower Boulevard. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	The mileage sign shown in the first photobox is for the next two exits, and it is followed by the first warning sign for Interstate 710 (Exit 13) as seen along westbound Interstate 105. Photos taken 08/15/03.

	For some reason, the California 19 shield was scraped off of this overhead sign for Exit 16. California 19 has not been decommissioned from the state highway system, even though it is not a freeway route. It probably will not be long before it is considered for decommissioning. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 at Exit 16, Junction California 19/Lakewood Boulevard. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	This sample light rail station is built into the median and the Lakewood Boulevard (California 19) overpass as an access point for pedestrians to reach the light rail located in the median strip. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Two mileage signs, one right after the other along westbound Interstate 105 approaching Exit 15/Paramount Boulevard (not listed for some reason on the second sign even though it is located prior to the exit ramp), Exit 13/Junction Interstate 710, and Exit 12/Long Beach Boulevard. Photo taken 08/15/03.

	Westbound Interstate 105 at Exit 15, Paramount Boulevard/Garfield Avenue. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 approaching Exit 13, Junction Interstate 710/Long Beach Freeway. Photos taken 08/15/03.

	These new, reflective signs are located at Exit 13, Junction Interstate 710. Interstate 710 leads north to Alhambra (a little shy of Pasadena, since the last leg of Interstate 710 is still incomplete) and south to downtown Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	View of the flyover ramps associated with the Interstate 105/Interstate 710 interchange. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 approaching Exit 12, Long Beach Boulevard, one mile. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Shield image along westbound Interstate 105 prior to Exit 12, Long Beach Boulevard. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Mileage sign along westbound for Exit 12/Long Beach Boulevard, Exit 10/Wilmington Boulevard, and Exit 9/Central Avenue. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 at Exit 12, Long Beach Boulevard. This city street parallels Interstate 710. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	This mileage sign is the first to mention upcoming Interstate 110. The other two exits listed are Exit 10/Wilmington Avenue and Exit 9/Central Avenue. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 at Exit 10, Wilmington Avenue. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Mileage sign for the next three exits along westbound: Exit 9/Central Avenue, Exit 7B/Junction Interstate 110, and Exit 7A/Vermont Avenue. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 at Exit 9, Central Avenue. The next exit is Exit 7B, Junction Interstate 110. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	More carpool signage, complete with Interstate shields, along westbound Interstate 105. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 approaching Exit 7B/Junction Interstate 110. Note the control city of El Segundo (which later changes to LAX). Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Even in the carpool/high occupancy vehicle lanes, signage determines the lane allocation for Interstate 105 and Interstate 110. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Although this interchange is very tall and impressive, it is not fully realized from this direction. Interstate 110 serves as the bottom of the interchange, and from there motorists can appreciate the magnitude of it. This picture shows westbound at Exit 7B, Junction Interstate 110 (note the carpool exits to the left). Photo taken 08/15/03.
	View of Interstate 110 sign as seen from the Interstate 105 west mainline. Notably, Interstate 110 is signed for San Pedro along southbound and Los Angeles for northbound. This interchange is actually located in Los Angeles, so it is a bit misleading to place that name on the sign. Also, San Pedro is part of Los Angeles and is not its own city. This is a rare example where Caltrans uses a community of a city on a green guide sign. San Pedro is popular as the starting point for many cruises and boat tours, such as those to the Catalina Islands. Perhaps it should say Downtown Los Angeles? Photo taken 08/15/03.
	View of the interchange with Interstate 110 as seen from the middle level of a five-level stack. The exit sign ahead is for Exit 7A, Vermont Avenue. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	After the interchange with Interstate 110, the next exit is Exit 7A, Vermont Avenue. Note the structure to the left, which supports the transition of high occupancy vehicle lanes between the two freeways. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 at Exit 7A, Vermont Avenue; Crenshaw Boulevard is a little more than two miles ahead (Exit 5). Photo taken 08/15/03.
	The next exit along westbound is Exit 5, Crenshaw Boulevard. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Mileage sign along westbound for Exit 5/Crenshaw Boulevard and Exit 3/Prairie Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	The right lane becomes exit-only for Crenshaw Boulevard (Exit 5). Originating in Torrance, Crenshaw passes through a variety of communities before reaching Wilshire Boulevard north of Interstate 10/Santa Monica Freeway. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 at Exit 5, Crenshaw Boulevard, a two-lane exit. The next exit is Exit 3, Prairie Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Mileage sign along westbound for Exit 3/Prairie Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard and Exit 2B/Interstate 405. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	The exit for Exit 3/Prairie Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard is exit-only. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 at Exit 3, Prairie Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard. To the south, Hawthorne Boulevard becomes part of the state highway system (California 107) after it crosses Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway. Speaking of which, the next exit is Exit 2B, Junction Interstate 405. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Unlike the interchange between Interstate 105 and Interstate 110, there is no direct carpool/high occupancy vehicle lane connection between Interstate 105 and Interstate 405. Therefore, carpools must exit the restricted left lanes here and cross the other travel lanes to reach the exit for Interstate 405. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 at Exit 2B, Junction Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway. Interstate 405 heads north to San Fernando Valley and connects with northbound Interstate 5; it heads south toward Long Beach and Orange County. Note the control city; it used to be El Segundo and is now Los Angeles International (LAX) Airport. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	The interchange between Interstate 105 and Interstate 405, as noted by the green guide sign, is named after Sadao S. Munemori, who received the Medal of Honor in World War II. The designation is more meaningful than others since it has a very brief description of the accomplishments of Sadao S. Munemori. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	After the interchange with Interstate 405, the next exit is Exit 2A, La Cienega Boulevard/Aviation Boulevard. Note that the light rail, which has been located in the center median for the entire length Interstate 105 to this point, will soon drop to grade. The last half-mile or so of Interstate 105 is not paralleled by the light rail system. Also, the high occupancy vehicle lanes end near here too. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	La Cienega Boulevard runs north-south in the shadow of Interstate 405, and it is notable for becoming a pseudo-freeway after it splits away from Interstate 405 a few miles north of here, after Interstate 405 Exit 47. North-south Aviation Boulevard parallels La Cienega Boulevard, and it passes through the eastern fringes of the airport property. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Los Angeles International Airport spreads out in front of westbound travelers as if on a canvas. The control tower and distinctive architecture are readily apparent on the final mile of Interstate 105. In fact, the first two of the remaining four exits (Nash Street and Northbound California 1) provide some access to the airport. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 at Exit 1D, Nash Street. The next exits are Exits 1C-B, Junction California 1/Sepuvelda Boulevard. Although California 1 is the Pacific Coast Highway, it is not particularly close to the ocean along this stretch, preferring to remain east of the airport and passing through several major commercial properties en route to Santa Monica. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Now on a viaduct passing along the southern boundary of Los Angeles International Airport, westbound approaches the last three exits. The first exit is Exit 1C, Junction Northbound California 1/Sepuvelda Boulevard, which connects to the main airport entrance. The Sepulveda Tunnel, which passes under a runway, lies just north of Interstate 105 and may be accessed from Exit 1C. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	Westbound Interstate 105 at Exit 1B, Junction Southbound California 1/Sepulveda Boulevard. The left lanes default onto Exit 1A, Imperial Highway. Interstate 105 comes to its end in a quarter-mile, when the freeway ends. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	After passing California 1/Sepuvelda Boulevard, Interstate 105 descends from the viaduct and approaches its western end. Note the decrease in speed limit through here. A white, end freeway sign is located on the right shoulder immediately after the yellow overhead warning sign. Photo taken 08/15/03.
	After descending from the elevated freeway and viaduct, Interstate 105 finally ends as it transitions into a surface street, Imperial Highway. The first traffic signal along the Imperial Highway is this one, at California Street just south of the airport in El Segundo. Notably, this is not a state highway, so Interstate 110 (along with Interstate 8 in San Diego) is one of the rare Interstate highways that culminates at a non-state maintained highway. Photo taken 08/15/03.

Page Updated September 26, 2004.