Forum Discussion

moparmaga2's avatar
moparmaga2
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013

Hwy 1 Length Limits

Looking back and posting pictures in the Hwy 1 thread that is ongoing has sparked a question.

I last drove highway one in a 37 foot gas motorhome pulling a toad. I will be heading back from Alaska in late September and really would love to head down this way again before I have to turn for home.

My question is: I now have a 43 foot motorhome pulling a toad. I know technically I am not supposed to be on that road with that length, however judging from last time, it would be no problem.

Has anyone has experience with driving something over 40 foot on hwy 1? Is this law enforced, or it is kinda like the law stating trucks have to go 55 mph on the freeway in CA - largely ignorned.

Believe it or not I live in Texas and when buying my present motorhome, HWY 1 was a huge part of the discussion in buying my present motorhome. Ultimately the longer length won out, and I may be regretting it come September.
Class A
  • msmith1199's avatar
    msmith1199
    Explorer II
    Jun 03, 2013
    kalynzoo wrote:
    Don't do it! Heading South you will be on the ocean cliff side of the highway. There are many turns without shoulders and shear drops into the rocks and ocean. Driving that road North a few years ago in a 38ft with toad I realized that I could not see any of the beautiful scenery as I was locked on the hairpin turns. No way you could ever get close to 55mph, 35 or 40 at MAX and probably a lot less. I suggest you take the 101 to Paso Robles, then basecamp in Paso, the Vinyard Resort is lovely, or basecamp at Morro Bay, then take the car for a day trip back up North to Big Sur or even Carmel. You can drive back down on the 101 and make it a one day trip, or you can spend the night at one of the many hotels/motels/B&B's.
    Again driving South between Big Sur and Morro Bay on highway 1 should be avoided at all cost. In a MH, even more so.


    "Many turns without shoulders and shear drops into the rocks and ocean?" Is that quite an exaggeration? I don't recall any turns that had no shoulder and a shear drop that didn't also have a guardrail.

    For anybody stumbling across these threads that wants to drive highway 1, go to Google earth or Google maps and zoom in on the satellite view of Highway 1. You can check out the entire length of the road and see all the turnouts and the giant sweeping curves. You can go down to the ground view and follow it the entire length if you want to see every single curve on the road.
  • havasu's avatar
    havasu
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2013
    The law is the law

    If you choose to break it, you are on your own.
  • dsteinman's avatar
    dsteinman
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2013
    We have done hwy 1 going north in our previous 35ft motorhome with toad. For me it was an easy drive except for 2 right hand curves where the toad mirrors almost hit the cliffs. But I am also used to driving in the mountains and hwy 1 is much straighter than most of those.

    We now have a 41ft motorhome and I do find that the extra 6ft makes a big difference on the mountain roads and I wouldn't take it on hwy 1.

    We don't have a tag axle so it probably would not be noticed, but you have tag axle so I am sure it would be obvious that you are over 40ft.

    Also, since you are coming down from Alaska, I don't think that you would need the extra trip down hwy 1 for the scenery. There are lots of other ways you could get to Texas from there.

    David
  • msmith1199's avatar
    msmith1199
    Explorer II
    Jun 03, 2013
    At 40 feet you're perfectly legal, but at 43 foot you'll kill everybody on the road!! But seriously, I doubt anybody on here knows how strictly CHP enforces the length law there. What you could do is have some 40' decals made up and stick them on the side of your motorhome and nobody will probably know the difference. I probably wouldn't try it myself.
  • kalynzoo's avatar
    kalynzoo
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2013
    Don't do it! Heading South you will be on the ocean cliff side of the highway. There are many turns without shoulders and shear drops into the rocks and ocean. Driving that road North a few years ago in a 38ft with toad I realized that I could not see any of the beautiful scenery as I was locked on the hairpin turns. No way you could ever get close to 55mph, 35 or 40 at MAX and probably a lot less. I suggest you take the 101 to Paso Robles, then basecamp in Paso, the Vinyard Resort is lovely, or basecamp at Morro Bay, then take the car for a day trip back up North to Big Sur or even Carmel. You can drive back down on the 101 and make it a one day trip, or you can spend the night at one of the many hotels/motels/B&B's.
    Again driving South between Big Sur and Morro Bay on highway 1 should be avoided at all cost. In a MH, even more so.
  • vegasfoodguy's avatar
    vegasfoodguy
    Explorer II
    Jun 03, 2013
    BobGed wrote:
    First of all here's a reference document Hwy 1 restrictions
    Second, yes the CHP does enforce the area.
    Third, in many places because of your length you will be crossing over the center line which could create a real hazard. Please use Hwy 101.



    Good map.
  • BobGed's avatar
    BobGed
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2013
    First of all here's a reference document Hwy 1 restrictions
    Second, yes the CHP does enforce the area.
    Third, in many places because of your length you will be crossing over the center line which could create a real hazard. Please use Hwy 101.

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