Camel to Hearst
 

Anyone know if going inland to 101 is quicker than taking 1? Some friends are going to be staying in Carmel and one of them wants to go to Hearst, they have driven down the coast to Big Sur numerous times and probably will do again so since they will be in Carmel for 3 weeks, so they want to avoid driving all the way to Hearst on 1. Is there a quicker route? Thanks.

Taking Hwy 101 is quicker than Hwy 1. It's a slightly longer route, but the average speed of cars on 101 is about 75 mph. Just cut inland, jump on 101, and cut back to the coast on hwy 46 to Cambria and head north on 1 to Hearst Castle.

I was tempted to say "101 will be quicker, especially on a camel, but how about taking a car?!"

But I held my tongue... :)

Thanks, J Correa and thanks for holding your tongue rjw, but aren't we supposed to be the same person -- I think it is permitted to make fun of yourself.

How is hwy 46? I'm beginning to get the feeling that they don't want to drive down 1 because they will be in a minivan and are not comfortable driving it on a curvy road.

Hwy 46 is pretty easy driving. It does have to cross the range of mountains, but it doesn't have the "old stagecoach road" feel that you get with some of the old state highways.

Thanks--does anyone have a rough estimate of how long the alternate route would take?

I would guess 2 1/2 hours of actual driving. I've never actually done this particular route - been on all the roads at one time or another, but never done this exact route.

According to Mapquest, it's about 150 miles from Carmel to Cambria and takes about three hours.

It's about 100 miles from Carmel to Cambria along Highway 1 and takes about 2 hours. I'd say the 2 hours is pretty optimistic.

I see vans on Highway 1 all the time. And campers. And trailers. And little old men/women driving HUGE Cadillacs. There are SUVs galore and even an occasional Hummer.

However, if your friends are from the Midwest and are used to flat, straight roads, maybe going by way of Highway 101 would be better. :)

Thanks easy--they told me it took them 4 1/2 hours to get to San Simeon the last time which is why they are looking for a faster route because they just want to go down for the day. I looked at Mapquest also and saw it was giving the time down 1 as a little over 2 hours which doesn't seem feasible.

Hi, SAB!

I suppose it's possible to do Highway 1 between Carmel and Cambria in two hours - IF, you pretty much have the road to yourself AND you don't stop for the views or the hikes. :)

On the other hand, going the roundabout way via Highway 101, it's very doable in three hours. They just have to avoid the rush hour traffic near Salinas.

You said that they might be driving to Big Sur anyhow. If they are headed south, they might just keep going and plan on spending one night in Cambria. Less rushed, more enjoyable. Just a suggestion.

Have a great day, SAB! Good "talking" with you again!

Staying overnight in Cambria is not an option easy, there are five unrelated adults which means at least three rooms and they have rented a house in Carmel. They don't want to pay to stay a night in Cambria when they are already paying for that night in Carmel. Nice "talking" to you too.

Sab: Ah, well, it wouldn't work then. Too bad!

Someone should import that Japanese airport "hotel" idea - just a tube-like space big enough to sleep in and stow some of your stuff. :)

I can't really see Americans going for that idea, especially in light of the fact that you read lots of bitching about the "small" rooms in Paris for example. As my fellow Brits are want to observe many Americans do tend to like things to be large.

Sab: You're quite right! Americans do like their things large. They also like themselves large: over 60% of the population is overweight. So much so that ambulances had to get larger gurneys. Now larger ambulances are needed!

I know the solution! Larger tubes! LOL!