During the winter months, SLO CAL (San Luis Obispo County) occasionally gets strong winter storms that cause closures on the famous Highway 1. While Highway 1 may occasionally close, this classic California coastal experience is still available to road-trippers and tours of all kinds. Read below for answers to some of your Highway 1 closure questions. (You can also find maps, travel conditions and more here.)

 

How do we get around the Highway 1 closures?
  • If coming to SLO CAL from Santa Barbara County your trip will not be affected. For those continuing north from SLO CAL, eastbound CA Highway 46 just south of Cambria provides an easy detour and connects to US Highway 101 North near Paso Robles.

How much extra time will it take?

That depends on where you are coming from and where you are going, but easy detours along major freeways mean faster speeds and more amenities. In some cases, travel is faster or the same as driving the curvy Highway 1.

  • Travelers from the north taking Highway 101 as an alternate route from Monterey, will save approximately 25 minutes of travel time to reach SLO CAL.

  • Travel time to Hearst Castle from Monterey via the Highway 101/46 route is approximately the same drive time as the Highway 1 route, depending on traffic.
What can I see on the detour?