Vermont Avenue begins just north of San Pedro at a five-point intersection with Anaheim Street, Gaffey Street and Palos Verdes Drive. After a short distance, Normandie Avenue branches off due north while Vermont turns northeast towards its intersection with Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Afterwards, it travels roughly in a straight line north for , parallel to the Harbor Freeway (I-110) to the east. North of PCH, it passes through the unincorporated area of West Carson before crossing the San Diego Freeway (I-405).