Hi, we will be taking a trip from Santa Barbara to Idaho in the summer and we plan to drive up Hwy 1 the whole time until we get to mid Oregon then start heading inland near Portland. We have a 28ft travel trailer. Will we be able to maneuver the trailer around the turns on Hwy 1? Are there any restricted areas for trailers on that road? Coming back home we were just going to take the 5 all the way back and save time. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

I believe you can find the answers to those questions on the California Highway Department web site. I do know there are places on various highways where trailer lengths are restricted, some of which might apply to you, but I don't know where they are, since I'm on the East Coast. But I did travel with trailer through California and Oregon once a few years back, and recall looking that info up before the trip. I'm sure someone will be along shortly with a URL if you have trouble googling it.

I did not pull my trailer on Hwy 1. Most of what I drove the pickup on, wasn't that bad. I found Hwy 1 north of San Francisco to be extremely curvy, very narrow and slow going. I don't think you will enjoy the drive at all in this area and don't recommend it.Hopefully others will jump in and advise.PatPat

We drove Ukiah CA to Pacific City on the 101 with a 39' 5ver. It was pretty easy until north of Crescent City CA. It has a few hairpin turns south of Gold Beach OR around the seal refuge habitat. Some of the curves you will do 15 mph to 25 mph but not impossible. We made Crescent City CA to Pacific City OR took us about 9 hrs. I think you mean 101 not 1 because the 1 from Bodega Bay to north of Shelter Cove CA where it joins the 101 is tight turns and narrow lanes and you would be lucky to average 25 mph on it with the up grades and down grades. You might average 60 mph but you would need a Corvette not an RV. JMHO.

We have a 28ft travel trailer. Will we be able to maneuver the trailer around the turns on Hwy 1?How good of a driver are you? Logging trucks much longer than your trailer travel Highway 1 north of San Francisco. You will not be going fast and there are a few tight curves but I would not be afraid to do it with my 30 foot trailer. There are also a few slow sections in the Big Sur area. Just be certain you know where your tow vehicle outside corner wheels are and where the trailer wheels will be going around a corner.

We have done much of that pulling a trailer. Some of it is very windy and curvy with a lot of very, very slow speed areas but you can do it. Don't expect to make any kind of time as you'll be lucky to average 30 mph in long stretches. It is beautiful as long as you just take your time.

Taking a travel trailer up Hwy 1 in California | Good Sam Community

kazmir
Explorer
Apr 04, 2016
Hi,

Hwy 1 hits Hwy 280 in Pacifica, take 280 into the city and keep left onto 19th Ave. Stay in the center or right lane the whole way through about a million (or 20) lights and you will go thru a tunnel and then onto the Golden Gate Bridge. That is Hwy 101 again and will take you onto Marin County and north. Easy Peasy!
Slate_CM
Explorer II
Mar 21, 2016
This part of 101 is a little iffy sometimes. I was through there last week and there was snow for a mile or so. http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist1/d1projects/last_chance_grade/

IDoMyOwnStunts wrote:
I've had no issues anywhere on 101. It was 199 that gave me fits. I won't do that again with a trailer.

What, you don't like 199...???;) I've pulled my 28 ft through there a few times. A couple spots you almost have to hold on and hope for the best, it's so narrow.
bikendan
Explorer
Mar 17, 2016
Hlwinters wrote:
Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for responding, I appreciate all of the input. Sorry for the delay getting back to you all, I was having issues logging onto the site for some reason. I guess I should have been more specific - The plan was to start on 101 through Santa Barbara to Gavoitta then take the 1 up to Pismo Beach but looking at that stretch again between Gaviotta and Pismo that seems pretty pointless and it would be best to stay on 101 until San Louis Obispo Then we were going to take the 1 from SLO through San Fransisco and up to Leggett. Then get on the 101 to Lincoln City, OR and go inland. But basically the plan was to take the 1 as much as possible and detour to 101 where needed.

From everyone's advice sounds like we will reroute our plans and take the 101 to San Louis Obispo, then 1 from SLO to San Fransisco, then 101 from SF all the way up to Linclon City, OR. Sounds like it may be a bit rough north of Crescent City and a couple spots on Oregon but doable.

One day when its just a road trip in the car we'll take the 1 from SF to Leggett.

Thanks again for everyone's input! Much appreciated!!

Heather

i really advise you NOT to drive 101 THROUGH San Francisco.
unless you're a Class B or smaller Class C. or maybe towing a popup.

it's bad enough going through in a car.

not sure what you mean by rough spots north of Crescent City or spots in Oregon. all of 101, north of SF, is fine for all sizes of RVs.
4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2016
I am on that route now and I can tell you it is just fine on Hwy 1. I am planning on taking it all the way to Oregon. (with a few detours)

I am towing what is now a 33 foot trailer and I expect no problems. I just came out of the Baja where I spent 3+ months and drove the entire peninsula logging over 3400 miles. The roads there are less wide and in places much more curvy than Hwy 1 in CA and still there was no problem.

Put away your concerns it will be fine.
Hlwinters
Explorer
Mar 15, 2016
Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for responding, I appreciate all of the input. Sorry for the delay getting back to you all, I was having issues logging onto the site for some reason. I guess I should have been more specific - The plan was to start on 101 through Santa Barbara to Gavoitta then take the 1 up to Pismo Beach but looking at that stretch again between Gaviotta and Pismo that seems pretty pointless and it would be best to stay on 101 until San Louis Obispo Then we were going to take the 1 from SLO through San Fransisco and up to Leggett. Then get on the 101 to Lincoln City, OR and go inland. But basically the plan was to take the 1 as much as possible and detour to 101 where needed.

From everyone's advice sounds like we will reroute our plans and take the 101 to San Louis Obispo, then 1 from SLO to San Fransisco, then 101 from SF all the way up to Linclon City, OR. Sounds like it may be a bit rough north of Crescent City and a couple spots on Oregon but doable.

One day when its just a road trip in the car we'll take the 1 from SF to Leggett.

Thanks again for everyone's input! Much appreciated!!

Heather
bikendan
Explorer
Mar 11, 2016
it's been 7 days and the OP has never responded.:h
arush19
Explorer
Mar 10, 2016
I did Hwy 1 in a 2-seat roadster once. I loved it, my wife at the time not so much. It would definitely be a slow, windy experience, but I don't think you can't do it. As for me, if I'm in that area with my trailer, I'd take the 101. It is still a beautiful drive and occasionally close to the shoreline.

Funny note: you know I'm from California because I add "the" to my highways.
rollingslow
Explorer
Mar 10, 2016
I drive hwy 1 all the way every year with a 35 ft mh and toad no problem if you take it slow and enjoy the ride. San fransico isnt bad rite time of day
IDoMyOwnStunts
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
ktmrfs wrote:
IDoMyOwnStunts wrote:
I've had no issues anywhere on 101. It was 199 that gave me fits. I won't do that again with a trailer.

101 is not the same as 1. completely different roads and conditions.

*sigh*

I know that. The OP said up to mid-Oregon and there's no 1 in Oregon. I assumed they were talking about the entire way, but after rereading it, yes, you are right.
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Mar 09, 2016
IDoMyOwnStunts wrote:
I've had no issues anywhere on 101. It was 199 that gave me fits. I won't do that again with a trailer.

101 is not the same as 1. completely different roads and conditions.