Travel information California Hwy One
From Cambria in the south to Carmel in the north, runs California’s Highway one, a distance of about 90 miles which runs along the “Big Sur” coast. The highway is a narrow two lane road that hugs the shoulder of the mountains. It would be very hard to get lost along the highway as there are essentially no exits.
Driving along the the coastal highway is a slow-go as the highway is narrow, full of turns and visitors stopping to take pictures and simply enjoy the scenery.
Here are a few tips and ideas to make your drive its most pleasant:
- There is no gasoline available in the 40-mile stretch of highway south of Big Sur Center so be sure to check your gas gage.
- Allow plenty of time. You may make only about 30 miles per hour (45 kph) which means that a round trip between Hearst Castle and Big Sur can take most of a day.
- If you are driving only one way along the highway, try to drive from south to north. You will be driving on the insides of the curves and views are clearer toward the north.
- If you are driving both ways, try not crossing traffic to see things on the opposite side of the road. Save them for the return trip instead.
- If you are driving on the outside of the curves with a nervous passenger (and no cars coming toward you), drive on the “turtles” in the middle of the road. The noise they make will reassure your anxious rider that you are well away from the edge of the pavement.
- During rainy winters, CA Hwy 1 is prone to landslides. Check conditions by calling 800-427-7623 before you go.
It’s always good practice to normal safety tips, but even more so along this busy highway:
- Drive defensively
- Buckle up!
- Pull over if too many cars are following you (but only when you can do so safely)
- Don’t pass where there are double yellow lines
Tags: Californai Travel Tips