Driven it many, many times, starting in my college days. Your rig will be fine. As stated, watch the weather. Wind can occasionally be an issue thru parts of it. Seems like I remember parts of it being washed out in wet years. And we are praying for a wet year. Might want to avoid traveling on a Friday or Sunday afternoon. The Pismo area is crazy with Central Valley people at times. January shouldn't be as bad I wouldn't think. Gas shouldn't be an issue. Plenty around Santa Maria. Plenty on 5.