Topanga Canyon Blvd (SR-27)
Over the Santa Monica Mountains to Malibu / PCH
Typical
20–25 min
Peak
35–50 min
Narrow, winding two-lane canyon road. Closes fast for wildfire, mudslides or rockslides — always check Caltrans QuickMap before you commit.
Local drive-time guide
Canyon & freeway drive times
Woodland Hills sits right where the Valley meets the Santa Monica Mountains. Here's what the drive over the canyons to Malibu, along US-101, over Mulholland, and through the Sepulveda Pass to the Westside typically looks like — and when it gets slow.
Typical vs. peak estimates
Canyon & freeway drive times
Woodland Hills sits at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, with canyon roads to Malibu and freeways through the Valley and over the hill to the Westside. These are static, general estimates — not live traffic data — so always check current conditions before you leave.
Las Virgenes Rd / Malibu Canyon Rd
Calabasas to Malibu / PCH
Typical
20–25 min
Peak
30–40 min
A smoother alternative to Topanga Canyon with similar drive times; also subject to canyon closures during red-flag warnings.
US-101 Ventura Freeway
Through the Valley toward Downtown LA or Ventura County
Typical
15–20 min to Sherman Oaks
Peak
35–50 min to Sherman Oaks
The Valley's main artery. Woodland Hills to Universal City/Downtown LA can run well over an hour during the evening crush.
Mulholland Drive
Ridgeline route toward Encino, Sherman Oaks and the Westside
Typical
25–35 min
Peak
40–55 min
Scenic but slow — unlit, winding, and not a shortcut for commuting; best treated as a sightseeing drive rather than a fast alternate route.
Sepulveda Pass (I-405)
Over the hill to the Westside (Brentwood, Santa Monica, LAX)
Typical
20–25 min
Peak
45–70 min
One of the most congested stretches of freeway in the country during rush hour — leave a wide buffer or travel outside 7–10 a.m. and 3–7 p.m.
Wildfire & closure awareness
Topanga Canyon Blvd, Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon and Mulholland can all close on short notice during Santa Ana wind events, red-flag warnings or active fires. Check Caltrans QuickMap or LA County alerts before heading into the canyons.
Canyons close before freeways
If a canyon road is closed, US-101 to the Westside via the 405 or PCH from the north end of Malibu is usually the fallback — expect it to add real time.
Time it around peak hours
Morning peak runs roughly 7–10 a.m. and evening peak roughly 3–7 p.m. on US-101 and the 405. Canyon roads get busiest on summer weekends with beach traffic headed to Malibu.
These are general estimates, not real-time data. Canyon roads are especially sensitive to wildfire and weather closures — confirm current status with Caltrans or LA County before you travel.
Leave before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
US-101 and the Sepulveda Pass are calmest before the morning rush builds and after the evening peak clears out.
Topanga Canyon vs. Malibu Canyon
If Topanga Canyon Blvd is backed up or closed, Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Rd through Calabasas is usually a comparable-time alternative to the coast.
Watch for canyon closures
Red-flag wind warnings, active wildfires or storm debris can shut Topanga Canyon, Malibu Canyon or Mulholland with little notice — always check current status first.
Drive times are general estimates, not live traffic data, and can change quickly with weather, wildfire activity or road closures. Check Caltrans QuickMap or LA County alerts before you head into the canyons.