Can I drive Highway 1 through Big Sur today?
Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, the cliff road and Cambria form one of America’s great coastal journeys. But a closure near Lucia can divide the trip. Check official road notes and choose the piece of Highway 1 you actually intend to drive.
Official reports and trip consequence
Checking Caltrans…
Loading official roadway reports, not guessing from a seasonal calendar.
Caltrans highway line: 1-800-427-7623
Interactive decision engine
Which part of Big Sur do you want to drive?
Tap a route or place, inspect its evidence, and verify unresolved segments before departure.
Checking Caltrans...
Coastal stops in your trip
Select a stop to highlight it on the map.
Why the journey changes
Read the landscape, not just the road badge
Highway 1 is not an interstate. It follows a narrow coastal slope where winter storms, landslides, fires and bridge work can change the journey with little notice. An open road can still have single-lane controls. If the through-drive is interrupted, plan a same-side visit instead of following a map app onto unsuitable mountain backroads.
What can change the plan: A new overnight work window, falling rock, washout, fire activity or emergency traffic control can supersede an earlier Caltrans report. Some park access restrictions apply even when the highway is open.
Evidence you can check yourself
Current Caltrans work and restriction notes
Other California road planners
These tools summarize official public information for trip planning, not navigation, emergency instructions, or proof of safe passage. Obey posted signs and temporary closures. Built by Chris Izworski.