The crash happened around 8:25 p.m. just north of Santa Monica Boulevard.
The California Highway Patrol said a 56-year-old woman died in the three-vehicle crash.
No other injuries were reported. The victim's identity has not been released.
The collision initially shut down all southbound lanes except the carpool lane, turning the freeway into a huge parking lot.
Crews reopened all lanes shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday.
