Towing up to Big Sur, Ca

[ducksquasher]

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!

[Redsky]

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.

[Fresno_Tundra_D]

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.

[MarkTwain]

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.