Towing up to Big Sur, Ca

msmith1199 wrote:
And every time this comes up you have people saying to stay off of highway 1...

I have wondered about this myself. Some poster will comment 'Highway XX is a horrible road, cannot be safely used towing, you will regret it' etc, and often it is a road I have driven many times without any concern. CA Hwy 299 Redding to the coast is a good example. To me it is a snoozer -- an easy relaxing tow without any trouble. Utah 12 is another (admittedly, I have not towed on Hwy 1, only in a single vehicle, but I do not foresee any problems. It is straighter and wider than many other roads I have towed).

Conversely, people have stated no problem easy drive on some roads that left me wore out and white knuckled.

Of course, I spent all my working career driving remote unsurfaced forest roads that would give most city dwellers both a nervous breakdown and a heart attack, often at night, alone, foot of fresh snow...

Now put me on a flat and straight interstate with 40 mph crosswinds, and half groggy drivers passing me at 75 mph, and you have my full attention.

And every time this comes up you have people saying to stay off of highway 1. Yes, it's a windy road and yes there are cliffs. But if you're comfortable with driving your RV, and your trailer or motorhome is not over 40 feet long, then you'll be fine on highway 1. No matter what if you want to get to Big Sur you're going to have to drive on Highway 1 and it's just as windy and the cliffs are just as high whether you come from the North or the South. I have a 35' DP and I tow a Dodge Dakota 4x4 toad, and I've driven the length of Highway 1 from Monterey to Morro Bay several times.

It does not really matter what you will be towing or what you will be towing with, if your are larger than a car stay off highway 1 between Morro Bay and Big Sur. Hair pin turns will stand your hair on end. You can see your tail lights, the cliffs drop into the ocean and there is little or no shoulder, on the other side are rock cliffs protruding into the lanes. It is one of American's most beautiful drives, truly, and you should consider it in a car or small truck. Leave the RV at the basecamp. Honestly and sincerely.

It would be helpful to know what kind of rig you'll be using...there are length restrictions on some of those roads, including Hwy 1.....Dennis

If you take Hwy 14 to Mojove to Hwy 58 and take this highway all the way to Hwy 101 you will miss both steep grades and a lot of traffic. At Buttonwillow you can jog north on I-5 and then continue west on Hwy 46 to Paso Robles. Staying on Hwy 58 takes you to Santa Margarita and is better if you are planning to visit the San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay areas - both are highly recommended.

We live in Monterey and always take Hwy 58 to get across the state and avoid the LA basin like the plague.

Hwy 1 north after Ragged Point north of San Simeon is where the curves get tighter. It is not recommended for someone pulling a trailer or for a large motorhome. Not that people don't do it and end up crossing the line into oncoming traffic on the curves but it is not advisable. I like to drive this stretch at night as it is easy to see oncoming cars well in advance from their headlights when rounding curves and there is a lot less traffic at night.

The 92 miles from Morro Bay to Big Sur is curvy and scary at times. As an alternative that may save some time but add 20+ miles is taking 101 north all the way to Monterey and then down Hwy 1 to Big Sur. Not as pretty but might be faster and safer. From Monterey to Big Sur takes about 25 minutes if I remember correctly.

Hello All,

Planning a trip this spring up to Big Sur, Ca. I am out in the Inland Empire and I wanted to get feedback on routes so I am battling as few hills as possible. My thought is to take the 5 freeway up to Highway 46 and then to Highway 1? Would you say that is the easiest "tow"? Open to any suggestions on the best routes for towing?

Thanks in advance!

1. your route to Hwy. 1 is good and tow friendly
2. personally I would take 126 to Ventural and then up 101 all the way to Big Sur. Great scenery and easy tow. consider staying a few days in the Pismo Beach area, great weather.
3. After Morrow Bay on hwy. 1, you will see some beautiful scenes AND Hwy. 1 is a 2 lane highway that becomes windy with many curves which means you have to really watch the road and traffic. Not to many pull outs. Fill your tank before you leave Morrow Bay. Check with the Calif. Dept. of Highways before you leave Morrow Bay to make sure the are no rock slides or road closures.