Big Sur Closure - when can we get back to the coast road

Question

We are supposed to be doing a road trip along the coast but have only just realised that there are closure(s) on highway 1 at Big Sur. Do we have to go inland at Monterey in order to bypass the closure(s), and when / how can we get back to the coast in order to continue our travels southward. We are due to stop off at Morro Bay and as far as I can see, the soonest we can get back to H1 is via H46 but is it possible to cut back across before that? Can we also just confirm that there are no other closures that we should be aware of - can't believe this hasn't come up during all our research and planning :) Thank you

Answer

Great question — yes, the closure on California State Route 1 (Highway 1) along the Big Sur coast is significant and does require a detour. Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on and how you can plan your route.

What’s closed:

A 6.8-mile section around Regent’s Slide (south of Lucia, north of Esalen) remains closed to all through traffic — vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.
The projected full reopening of this segment is by the end of March 2026 (though subject to change).

What this means for your drive:

If you drive south from Monterey/Carmel on Highway 1, you will *not* be able to continue seamlessly down the coast into the Big Sur central stretch — you’ll hit the closed section and must detour inland.

Rejoining the coast:

From the north: Drive Highway 1 as far as you can down from Carmel/Monterey until the closure (just south of Esalen). Then head inland (Salinas/San Ardo area) to US-101 or the 46-West route, then continue south and come back to Highway 1 at Cambria/San Luis Obispo.
From the south: You can travel on Highway 1 north from the San Luis Obispo / Cambria region up the coast, but you will *not* be able to continue past the closure northward toward Carmel/Monterey. You’ll have to turn around or detour inland again.

No other major closures noted (as of the latest updates):

Between Cambria/San Luis Obispo and the south end of the Big Sur coast, Highway 1 is open.
The noted closure is the main one affecting continuous coast-to-coast travel on Highway 1 in Big Sur right now. But always check for updates just before you go.

Recommendation based on your situation:

Since you’re planning to stop at Morro Bay and intend to continue southward, your best approach is:

Drive down the coast from your origin (if you’ll be north) to wherever Highway 1 still allows access. Then, anticipate the closure and plan to detour inland before you hit the closed section.
Use Route 46 West (or a similar inland link) to reach Cambria, then pick up Highway 1 again south of the closure zone and continue toward Morro Bay. This achieves your goal of getting back to the coast.

In short: yes, you’ll need to go inland to bypass the closure, and yes you can rejoin the coast via the 46 route around Cambria. The closure at Regent’s Slide is the main one to worry about; just plan accordingly and allow a bit extra drive time for the detour. Enjoy your road trip!

Big Sur Closure - when can we get back to the coast road

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