Where is the LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot?

LAX has two free Cell Phone Waiting Lots: the 96th Street Lot at 6217 96th Street (100 stalls) and the Century Boulevard Lot at 5800 W. Century Blvd (23 stalls). Both are open 24 hours and free.

Can Uber or Lyft drivers use the LAX Cell Phone Lot?

No. The cell phone lots are for personal vehicles only. Commercial vehicles including Uber, Lyft, and taxis are strictly prohibited.

LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot Guide — Locations, Rules & Timing (2026)

Don't circle the terminals. Don't risk a ticket at the curb. Here's everything you need to know about LAX's free cell phone waiting lots — locations, rules, timing strategy, and the exact step-by-step process for a perfect pickup.

What Is the LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot?

The LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot is a free designated area where drivers picking up passengers can wait until their passenger is ready at the arrivals curb. You literally cannot wait at the terminal curb — LAX enforcement will ticket you within 30 seconds.

For a broader understanding of the LAX pickup process, see our complete guide on how to pick up someone at LAX.

Both Cell Phone Lot Locations

LAX has two Cell Phone Waiting Lots. Most drivers don't know about the second one:

	96th Street Lot (Original)	Century Blvd Lot
Address	6217 96th Street (near Vicksburg Ave)	5800 W. Century Blvd (near Airport Blvd)
Capacity	100 stalls	23 stalls
Hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours
Best for	Terminals 1–3 and TBIT	Terminals 4–8
Drive to T1	~3–5 min	~8–10 min
Drive to TBIT	~8–10 min	~10–12 min
Cost	FREE	FREE

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The 96th Street Lot is the go-to choiceIt's larger, better-known, and closest to the most common arrival terminals. The Century Blvd lot is a useful backup when full, or for Terminals 6–8.

Rules You Must Follow

Personal vehicles only. Uber, Lyft, taxis prohibited.

Stay with your vehicle at all times. Leave your car and it may be ticketed or towed.

No commercial idling. You can keep the engine running for AC.

No shuttle service. When your passenger is ready, you drive to the terminal yourself.

Maximum suggested wait: a reasonable period. If your flight is significantly delayed (2+ hours), consider paid short-term parking.

The Perfect Pickup Process — Step by Step

1
Before you leave home: confirm terminal and set up flight trackingDon't leave until the flight has actually landed. A domestic passenger with checked bags needs 40–75 minutes after landing. See our full LAX timing guide.
2
Head to the Cell Phone Lot — not the terminalNavigate to 6217 96th Street. Find a stall, park, stay in the vehicle.
3
Wait for: "I'm at the arrivals curb with my bags"Confirm they have bags, have exited the building, and are at the lower level outer curb.
4
Enter the terminal loop and drive directly to their terminalFollow signs for the lower/arrivals level. Make a direct approach.
5
Find your passenger, load, and leave immediatelyPull up, load bags, move off. Don't stop idling.
6
If you miss them: return to the Cell Phone Lot and resetContinue to the end of the terminal loop, exit, return to the lot, clarify location, try again.

Timing: When to Head to the Terminal

Scenario	When to Leave Cell Phone Lot
Domestic, carry-on only	When flight shows "Landed" + 15 min
Domestic, 1–2 checked bags	When flight shows "Landed" + 30 min
International, Global Entry	When flight shows "Landed" + 60 min
International, standard immigration	Only when passenger calls from curb
Flight is delayed	Adjust all times from actual landing

Insider Tips From Frequent LAX Pickup Drivers

Use the In-N-Out Burger hack (carefully). The In-N-Out on Sepulveda right next to the airport has been used as an informal waiting spot. It's not official, but many drivers grab food there.

Agree on a landmark at the terminal curb. "Terminal 3, column C" is infinitely more useful than "I'm outside."

Late night pickups are easier. After 10 PM, traffic drops significantly.

Construction changes routes regularly. Check flylax.com before heading in.

The Alternative: Skip the Whole Process

The professional alternative: book a private airport transfer through iRide360. Our drivers handle everything — flight tracking, meet & greet inside at baggage claim, luggage assistance. We serve all of Los Angeles including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Studio City, Malibu, and beyond.