Route Inquiry Tucson To Carmel CA

Question

We are taking a road trip from Tucson To Carmel By The Sea. I was wondering if there is a route to avoid Los Angeles Traffic and highways?

What is the best mid point to do an overnight stop since it is a 13 hour drive. We were thinking an overnight in San Bernardino or San Diego -but not familiar with the route. Then we were hoping to take the scenic route from there to Carmel.

Also, is there any road closures or issues we should be aware of along Pacific Coast Highway?

Sorry for multiple questions..but appreciate any advice . Thanks

Answer

Great question. Yes — there are ways to plan a road trip from Tucson → Carmel-by-the-Sea that minimize your time in L.A. traffic and still give you a scenic drive. Here’s a breakdown of route ideas, good overnight stops, and current Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) conditions to help you plan wisely.

1) Route Options: Avoiding L.A. Traffic

Via I-10 → I-15, then inland to US-101: One of the more straightforward ways. From Tucson, take I-10 west toward Phoenix, then continue toward Palm Springs / San Bernardino. From there, go north via I-15 or pick up US-395 and then US-101 further north into central California. This route keeps you off the worst of L.A. freeway traffic and avoids coastal congestion.
Via I-10 to San Diego, then up the coast: This gives you a more scenic first leg, but once you try to jump up to the PCH (Highway 1), it gets complicated due to current closures (more on that below).

2) Overnight Stop Suggestions

Since it’s a ~13-hour drive, an overnight makes a lot of sense. Two good options:

San Bernardino area: Convenient if you go the inland route. Good hotels, and you’re well-positioned to continue north without battling L.A. traffic early.
San Diego: If you don’t mind a slightly longer first day, you can stay in San Diego and then begin your scenic drive north from there. You’ll pick up more coastal flavor, though you’ll need to plan carefully for the next day.

3) Scenic Drive to Carmel → Things to Know

If you're hoping to drive up the coast via Highway 1 (PCH) from your overnight stop to Carmel, here’s what you need to know now:

The iconic stretch of Highway 1 in Big Sur has major closures. Specifically, Regent’s Slide (a 6.8-mile section) remains closed with a reopening target currently estimated for end of March 2026.
There are overnight closures around Rocky Creek Bridge for repair work.
Other sections remain open, but traffic control (flaggers or alternating one-lane traffic) may apply.

4) Recommended Scenic Routing Given the Closure

Because of the Big Sur closures, a smart way to do the “coastal” portion is:

Drive up via US-101 for much of your northern California leg. This will bypass the closed coastal portion but still bring you to Monterey / Carmel.
If you do want to hit parts of the PCH: you can access Highway 1 north of Big Sur (from around Monterey / Carmel) and enjoy the open, scenic parts.

5) Final Thoughts & Tips

Use Caltrans QuickMap or their road-conditions site to check for real-time closures before you go.
Be flexible: if PCH is still partially closed, the US-101 → Carmel route is reliable and much faster.
If you’re set on the full coastal experience, you might consider timing your trip for after the projected Highway 1 reopening (though that’s currently estimated for early 2026).

In summary: Yes, you can largely avoid L.A. by taking a more inland route overnight. For the scenic portion, use US-101 to get you north, and then pick up Highway 1 where it's open. Just be very mindful of current closures around Big Sur, and plan using real-time road condition resources.

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