United States, California
Big Sur, Highway One
Distance
145 km
Time
3h 10m
Driving score
8.6
We choose the roads, waypoints are preserved so Google Maps follows the intended route.
Editorial
Why drive it
Southbound puts you on the ocean side, which changes the drive completely. The corners open onto nothing but water and the Bixby Bridge arrives early enough to set the tone.
It is not about pace. The California Highway Patrol is present and the road does not reward it anyway. Roof down, third gear, a stop at Nepenthe and an eye on the fog rolling in behind you.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Road width
- Two lanes, cliff edge with low barriers
- Surface
- Good, with slide repairs south of Lucia
- Best direction
- Carmel south to San Simeon, sea on your right
- Best time of day
- After 10:00 once the marine layer burns off
- Best season
- September and October
- Elevation
- 300 m above the ocean at Big Creek
- Community rating
- 4.8 / 5
Proprietary scoring
The numbers
The journey
Route highlights
Start
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Breakfast and fuel before the coast
Photo Spot
Bixby Creek Bridge
The image everyone comes for
Viewpoint
Hurricane Point
Highest, windiest pull off
Lunch
Nepenthe
Terrace eight hundred feet above the sea
Detour
McWay Falls
Waterfall straight onto the beach
EV Charging
Gorda
Expensive fuel, useful chargers
Finish
San Simeon
Elephant seals and the Hearst road
Where to stay
Stay along this drive
Finding places to stay along this drive.
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From the members
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