Taking a travel trailer up Hwy 1 in California

North of Fort Bragg to Leggett has a 40'length limit. Years ago I took it in a 20' TT behind an F250. It wasn't fun. Last summer I was in Fort Bragg with my 35' MH. Lovely coast, but I personally would skip going north of Fort Bragg on that route, and would suggest 101.

CA #1 is one of the most beautiful roadways in the US. Big Sur should be on every traveler's list. You shouldn't have any issues towing up to SF, other than the limited amounts of parking and pull out spaces along the highway.

If it was me, I'd probably get off South of SF and take 101 North to some point like San Rafael or Santa Rosa and then head back West to the coast to continue the journey on #1 North. You'll miss Muir Woods and Stinson Beach but the inland drive will save a lot of hassle. Also, the route back West through Russian River is a very scenic trip in itself.

Good luck and enjoy the trip!

Hlwinters wrote:
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!!!

well, you can't take Highway 1 until San Luis Obispo. that takes you to Morro Bay and then along the coast all the way to Monterey.

the Big Sur part is where many get scared. if you aren't experienced towing, you may not like that part.

you don't want to go thru San Francisco towing.

the part of Highway 1 north of the Golden Gate is curvy but doable.

the only other section that RV'ers get warned about, other than the Big Sur area, is from Fort Bragg to Leggett.

after that, Highway stays a part of 101.

unless there's been a slide in the Big Sur section, there are no restrictions.

unless you mixed up 101 with Highway 1. many travelers do but since you live in Ventura County, i assume you're familiar with the area.

if you meant 101, there's no issues at all.

Hwy 1 ends at Leggett, California. You'll be taking Hwy 101 into Oregon which is a wonderful drive with any size RV.

Driving Hwy 1 from the south, you'll be along the inside cliffs and some of the turns are tight. You'll have to watch so you don't cross the center line in those turns which will have you close to any rockcroppings. You have a small RV so yes, it's doable but your eyes will be on the road all the time.

have gone Stockton to Bodega Bay all the way thru washington
slow but doable. beautiful trip.
just take your time. would not care to drive it at night.
watch gas. stations can be far apart.
since you probably are camping, book now. I just finished booking Oregon coast for 3 months, and it was tight to find spots

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.

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 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.

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.
Pat
Pat

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.