Driving Big Ur to Santa Barbara tomorrow

Question

I am leaving Monterey and driving to Santa Barbara tomorrow. I was hoping to drive the big Sur but google maps is diverting me. I have read about road works but hoped I could still drive most of it and it would redirect me but currently it’s adding on much further to head back on myself to Monterey, is this right? I had hoped to brave the big drive and see the sights? Any help much appreciated as I am a single mum with three kids from England!

Answer

Good question — unfortunately, there are major closures on Highway 1/Big Sur right now that make it very difficult (or impossible) to drive the full iconic coastal route from Monterey down into Santa Barbara. Here’s a breakdown of the current situation and some alternate suggestions:

What’s the situation with Big Sur / Highway 1 right now?

Caltrans and the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce confirm that a 6-mile stretch of Highway 1 near Regent’s Slide remains closed.
While over 100 miles of Highway 1 remain open, the closed section disrupts the continuous coastal drive.
Repairs at Rocky Creek are ongoing, though daytime passage is allowed under controlled conditions; overnight closures may still happen.
The longest stretch of the Big Sur coastal drive remains blocked, and the estimated full reopening is not until around March 2026, per Caltrans.
Big Sur State Parks reported that some planned overnight highway closures were canceled recently, but repair work is still underway.

What this means for your drive from Monterey → Santa Barbara:

You likely cannot drive the full Big Sur coastal route all the way down to Santa Barbara — Google Maps is correctly diverting you because of the road closure. Several travelers confirm that a one-way coastal drive through Big Sur is not currently possible.
The detour people commonly use is to head inland via US-101 after Monterey, then reconnect with the coast further south (for example, in the San Luis Obispo / Cambria area) when Highway 1 is accessible again.
If you try to continue along Highway 1 past the closure, you will hit the barrier near the Regent’s Slide, and there is no safe “back road” around it along the coast.

Alternative suggestions for your trip:

Follow US-101 after Monterey → travel through inland wine country → rejoin the coast at Cambria / San Simeon → then continue to Santa Barbara. This route still offers some scenic stretches and interesting stops.
If you want coastal views, stop around Carmel, Point Lobos, or other accessible north Big Sur viewpoints, then head inland.
Consider spending a night in Cambria / San Simeon, which gives you a relaxed coastal stop without risking blocked roads.

Practical tips for you and your kids:

Check road conditions first thing in the morning via the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce or Caltrans QuickMap before you drive.
Plan longer driving times — the inland route (US-101) may look faster, but traffic can vary.
Bring snacks, water, and entertainment — especially with kids — because detours may add travel time.

Bottom line: Yes, Google Maps is warning you off the Big Sur coastal route for good reason: a key section is still closed. Rather than risk getting stuck, it’s safer and more reliable to take an inland detour via US-101 to reach Santa Barbara. While it’s not the full “classic Big Sur” drive, you can still enjoy beautiful California scenery and make meaningful stops along the way.

Driving Big Ur to Santa Barbara tomorrow

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