Metro bus detours and travel options for L.A. Marathon

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This year's race ends at the ocean. Photo via L.A. Marathon's Official Facebook

This year’s race ends at the ocean. Photo via L.A. Marathon’s Official Facebook

Just a reminder, L.A. Marathon will take place on Sunday, March 17 and run from Dodger Stadium to the Santa Monica Pier. The event begins at 6:55 a.m. and is expected to end around 5 p.m.

Due to road closures and bus detours, Metro Rail is the best option for those who want to view the marathon. There are nine stations that run along the race course: Chinatown Station, Union Station, Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, Civic Center Station, Vermont/Santa Monica Station, Vermont/Sunset Station, Hollywood/Western Station, Hollywood/Vine Station and Hollywood/Highland Station.

Metro will also operate free non-stop shuttle service from Culver City Station to Olympic Boulevard/11th Street in Santa Monica during the marathon as an alternative option for those traveling from downtown to the beach. The shuttles will run every 15 minutes from approximately 5 a.m. until the conclusion of the race. Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus will be operating frequent courtesy shuttles form the Olympic/11th bus hub on Sunday to downtown Santa Monica; map and more info here.

Metro Bus lines that will be affected by the L.A. Marathon include: 2, 4, 10, 14, 16, 20, 26, 28, 30, 33, 40, 45, 48, 55, 60, 68, 70/71, 76, 78/79, 81, 83, 84, 90, 92, 94, 96, 105, 156, 180/181, 200, 201, 204, 206, 207, 210, 212, 217, 222, 445, 485, 487, 534, 550, 704, 720, 733, 745, 754, 757, 780, 794.

The service changes will occur between the hours of 4 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 17.

Check Service Advisories for more details. Regular service on some bus lines will be restored as the race progresses, but full service on all lines is not expected to resume until approximately early evening. Please plan ahead and adjust travel times. Every effort will be made to provide real-time information regarding changes in detours via Metro’s homepage and Twitter. For more information on routes and schedules call 323.GO.METRO or 323.466.3876.

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18 replies ›

  1. I don’t understand. i need to go from santa monica/vermont to santa monica/crescent heights (public transportation only), every parallel road is closed, so what i supposed to ride there?

  2. Just a FYI for anyone planning on using this option – it’s a 1.6 mile walk from the finish line to 11th and Olympic.

  3. I’m confused. So If I need to get to work on sunday which means getting all the way into downtown Santa Monica from Hollywood, how do I do that? This is saying There’s a shuttle going from the Culver City Station to Olympic and 11th but that doesn’t really help me. Is there nothing going all the way into Santa Monica?

    • Hi Q,

      Those participating in the marathon may ride Metro for free only to get to and from the race by showing their race bibs. Keep in mind that Metro does not run bus service directly to Dodger Stadium.

      Anna Chen
      The Source, Writer

  5. Hi Anna,
    Aside from the boarding eastbound liners stipulation, will the Silver Line route be hugely affected or diverted? If so, I imagine by evening it should resume back to normal?

    Finally, is Civic Center Station the closest Red Line stop to the Walt Disney Concert Hall? We intend to cheer on my sibling whose running the marathon from this landmark, but don’t know which Line is our best bet. BTW, we’re coming from the El Monte Station off the 10 freeway.
    Thank you.

    • Hi Albert,

      The Silver Line shouldn’t be hugely affected except around the downtown area and should return to normal service by mid-morning as the marathon continues west and roads open up. However, Caltrans will be doing some work on the El Monte Busway this weekend which could impact service times until 7 p.m. on Sunday. More information on that will be posted later today.

      The Civic Center Station is the closest to the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Because of the work being done on the busway, I suggest allowing for additional travel time to get downtown. Hope this helps!

      Anna Chen
      The Source, Writer

    • Hi Metro Mom,

      The bike rack can accommodate regular bikes with wheel sizes from 16 inches to 29 inches, so as long as your child’s bike has wheels in that range, it can be secured. Here’s a link for some tips on going Metro with your bikes, hope you guys have a great day!

      Anna Chen
      The Source, Writer

    • Hi Metro Mom,

      Yes, the shuttles will be Metro buses not being used in service and will have bike racks in front.

      Anna Chen
      The Source, Writer

  8. Where at Culver City Expo Station is the shuttle stop? I have never been to this station, I just don’t want to wait at a wrong spot and miss the shuttle. Thanks.

    • Hi Simon,

      To catch a westbound shuttle to Santa Monica, board on Washington Blvd. just south of the Culver City Station. For eastbound buses, there will be a stop at Olympic/11th. Metro will post signage and have ambassadors at the station to help guide traffic.

      Anna Chen
      The Source, Writer

  9. Will the shuttle also ferry riders FROM 11th/Olympic TO Culver City Expo Station? I’m a runner in need of connection from Santa Monica to a Rapid or Rail route after I finish the marathon.

    • Hi Stan,

      Yes, you can also ride the shuttle from 11th/Olympic to Culver City Station. Keep in mind the shuttle will make no other stops.

      Anna Chen
      The Source, Writer

  10. The “Service Advisories” links to a different event, “May 20: Amgen Bike Tour Service Changes”.

    • Good catch, library specialist! I’ll fix it now.

      Anna Chen
      The Source, Writer