Los Angeles to Monterey, CA

I-5 has at least 5 times the trucking traffic of Hwy 101 and this makes for miserable driving conditions as people will speed past in the right lane until they get up to a truck and trailer rig and then cut over into the left lane (only 2 lanes in each direction for most of I-5) and then people have to hit their brakes and this process gets repeated over and over and over again.

On Hwy 101 I can drive as fast as I want and not hit any traffic until I am on the outskirts of Santa Barbara and then it is clear sailing all the way to Salinas where you would cut over to Monterey.

I have been driving from LA area to Monterey for the past 45 years and live in Monterey and I only use I-5 to go north from Los Banos area. Going south I always take Hwy 101.

The 126 is unhurried, farming land, through Filmore and Santa Maria.
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I think you mean Santa Paula; Santa Maria is on 101.

Since I don't see where in So. Cal. you are leaving from hard to be exact on the route. But 210 to 5 to 126 to 101 is definitely more scenic and generally more relaxing. It is not without hills, Gaviota pass leading into Buelton and north of SLO you have Cuesta grade.

With the 5th wheel you are limited to 55, legally so even the higher speed limit on 5 north of the 99 split won't help you.

BTW you could also take the 210 to 118 to 23 to 101, but don't do it on Friday evening or during any rush hour.

If you avoid LA rush then 5, 46 101 is the fastest route. 46 is a good truck route, to bad you're in a hurry as you could stop and taste some wine.

I don't especially like 5 through downtown LA and usually take 405.

I would take the 210 freeway to Hwy 101 and continue north. If I was in the Riverside area I would consider taking I-15 north to Barstow and then heading west on Hwy 58. I-5 is best avoided if at all possible for many reasons.

I live in Monterey and my mother lives in Laguna and I avoid the LA basin as much as possible and always take Hwy 101 south and have been for the past 45 years.

I-5 through the Angeles Mountains has some pretty ferocious grades, especially the infamous Grapevine at the north end of the mountains. North of that, I-5 has to be one of the most BORING stretches of road I've ever been on (it's right up there with I-10 in New Mexico). Also, the last time I drove I-5 (roughly 15 years ago), the stretch north of the mountains was rather rough.

Even though you are coming back that way, I still recommend the 101. It doesn't take all that much longer, is way more pleasant to drive, and you avoid those killer grades.

Looking for the fastest route. We will be taking the 101 home, stopping in Pismo Beach for 3 days.

JKwock wrote:
Thinking about going to Monterey via 5 fwy to 46 west and then up the 101? I have a 30 foot Fifth wheel.

or take the 198 west?

Jason

1. Using the above route well get you there but if you wanted to avoid going over the Grape Vine, (trucks and climbs) I would take I-5 up to Highway 126 to Ventura over to 101. 101 is a much more scenic route and easy to drive. It would be my choice. I-5 to 46 is a direct route although a little boring.

A nice scenic drive is up the 210 to the 5 North to the 126, then take the 126 to cut across until you meet up with the 101 northbound. The 126 is unhurried, farming land, through Filmore and Santa Maria.

downtheroad wrote:
Why not just take 101 through Santa Barbara and on up?

A lot more scenic then 5:)