- KNX 1070 is L.A.’s all-news station and describes itself as a connection to the freeways.
- SoCal511 shows traffic alerts, freeway travel times, message boards and camera feeds.
- Never check a traffic app while driving; set it up before you leave.
In Los Angeles, traffic information is part of the daily routine. KNX has been an all-news station since 1968, and official traffic systems now fill in the detail. Using both is the smart approach.
KNX 1070: all news, all day
KNX has been Los Angeles’s all-news station since April 15, 1968, according to a 2013 report by CBS Los Angeles, and the same report described its trademark traffic and weather reports together on the fives. Today KNX describes itself as SoCal’s only 24/7 connection, linking listeners to breaking news, their community, the freeways and the experts. For a driver, that means regular traffic reports without waiting through music.
Other radio options
| Station | Frequency | Why it helps in traffic |
|---|---|---|
| KNX News | 1070 AM | All-news format with regular traffic reports |
| KFI | 640 AM | Talk and news radio covering L.A. and Orange County |
| LAist 89.3 | 89.3 FM | L.A.’s NPR news station, with local news through the day |
AM signals like KNX’s and KFI’s are a good backup when you are far from the city or in hilly areas, though AM can pick up buzz under power lines and in some tunnels and parking structures.
Tip: Set your car’s presets so news is one button away: one for KNX and one for an FM news station. In a hurry, you will not want to scan the dial.
SoCal511: the official system
SoCal511 is the region’s traveler information service. Its website lets you look up traffic alerts, freeway travel times, message boards and camera feeds, and shows incidents and SigAlerts, construction, closures and road conditions on a map. It also includes transit and park-and-ride information, which helps when the freeway is a lost cause.
TV morning shows
Local TV morning shows mix traffic with weather and news. FOX 11’s Good Day LA, for example, describes itself as a source for news, weather, traffic, entertainment and sports, and FOX 11 streams its programs free on the FOX LOCAL app. Other stations’ morning shows do the same. See How to Watch Los Angeles Local News Without Cable.
Using them together
- Before you leave: check SoCal511 travel times and incidents, or a station’s morning traffic.
- On the road: keep KNX or another news station on for updates.
- Something big happens: switch to news radio for context that a map cannot give you.
- Never handle a phone while driving; set your route and audio before you start.
During emergencies
During wildfires and other emergencies, roads close quickly and evacuation routes matter. Follow official instructions first; news radio and SoCal511 help you understand the situation. Our guide to Wildfire and Earthquake Alerts in Los Angeles: ShakeAlert, Red Flag Warnings, TV and Radio explains how warnings reach you.
Reception on the road
FM reception can drop in canyons, tunnels and some parts of the Valley, so it helps to have an AM news station saved as well. If your favorite station fades on a regular route, set up an AM alternative for that stretch. TV Reception in the San Fernando Valley: Why It Is Different and How to Fix It explains why terrain matters, and the full dial is in Los Angeles Radio Stations by Frequency: FM and AM Dial Guide.
A little history
KNX’s all-news format began in a turbulent spring. CBS Los Angeles noted that it launched 11 days after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and that within two months the station was covering the killing of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard. More in A Short History of Los Angeles Broadcasting: KNX, KTLA, KPFK and the Mountain.
Before you leave
A minute of planning saves a lot of time. Check SoCal511’s freeway travel times and incident list, or catch a morning traffic report on TV or radio, then decide whether to leave earlier, take a different route or use transit. SoCal511’s map also shows park-and-ride lots and rail lines, which can be the fastest option when a freeway is closed.
On the road
- Keep the radio on a news station rather than flipping between music stations.
- Listen for incidents on your route and the next one over; detours fill up fast.
- Pull over safely before checking anything on a phone.
- If traffic stops completely, listen for official instructions, especially during fires or evacuations.
Why radio still matters
Traffic apps are only as good as your data connection and your phone’s battery. A car radio needs neither. In emergencies, when cell networks are busy, broadcast radio keeps working, which is one reason emergency managers rely on the Emergency Alert System, carried by every AM and FM station under the FCC’s rules.
For the longer view, plan around predictable congestion. Weekday rush hours, holiday weekends and big events at stadiums and arenas all change traffic patterns. Morning traffic reports often mention events that will affect the evening commute, which is worth knowing before you decide when to head home.