curiousgeo

I'm still trying to decide which route to take from LA to Monterey on a weekday afternoon. Right now I'm looking at doing 101 North to Salinas, then CA-68 West to Monterey, about a 6 hour drive. The other route I'm considering is taking I-5 North then CA-152 West to Gilroy, then continuing South to Monterey. I'm guessing this route would take a little over 5 hours.

My reason for taking the second route would be to stay on the I-5 for a longer and faster drive, but 101 would probably be a bit more scenic. Any preferences between the two routes? How difficult is the drive on CA-152 between the I-5 and Gilroy? Is it pretty straight or does it wind over mountains (I've never done this route before)? Thanks for help and advice.

sf7307

CA-152 does go over mountains. It's mostly 2 lanes in each direction, but in some parts its only one lane and there can be awful traffic. I hate that route, plus I can't see any point in going north-west-south. If you must take 5, then cut over on whatever the road is that goes toward Coalinga.

curiousgeo

Thanks sf7307, point taken on the north-west-south idea. Plus CA-152 doesn't sound great, doable of course but not very pleasant. I've done portions of 101 so that is sounding more likely.

Sherri

I live in So. Cal now, but am originally from the Monterey Peninsula and normally take the 5 fwy north to Highway 46 West. It takes about 1 hour to get from the 5 to the 101 on Hwy 46. About half of Hwy 46 is two-land and half is four-lane. Once you hit the 101, it is another 1 1/2 hours to Salinas. We typically take Hwy 68 over to the peninsula from there. Coming from L.A., this route takes about 5 1/2 hours. I prefer this to taking the 101 all the way because of the speed traps along the 101 (not that go over the speed limit

curiousgeo

Sherri, actually this is the route that comes up on Rand McNally. Is there a lane barrier/divider on CA-46? How is the drive, curvey, straight? And thanks for the heads up on the speed traps, it never crossed my mind, not that I speed either.

Sherri

No, there is no lane barrier for the first half (around 30 miles), but it is a mostly straight drive. Visibility is good as it is fairly flat open land with some small hills. I have taken it dozens of times and, if you are traveling during the day, you shouldn't have a problem. It is really the fastest way up to the Monterey Peninsula that I have found...

curiousgeo

Just wanted to report back on the drive up to Monterey from LA. We left Century City around 12:30 pm and arrived in Monterey at 6:00 pm using the route Sherri recommended; 405 North, I-5 North, CA-46 West, 101 North and CA-68 West.

We made two pit stops, in Buttonwillow for coffee and Salinas for gas. We thought Lost Hills, CA where we got on Hwy 46 is really aptly named. All in all a smooth and easy drive. Thanks Sherri.

Sherri

I am happy that the route worked out for you. It is kind of interesting as well that James Dean died on Hwy 46 near Chalome. I forgot to mention it to you, but it is kind of creepy coming down the hill at the intersection of Hwy 46 and, I think, Hwy 156 which takes you to Fresno to the east which is where the accident happened. Just a bit of trivia for you since you had never been on that stretch of highway before...

november_moon

Sherri - A couple days ago we were talking about James Dean and trying to remember where exactly it was that he died. You've answered our question