Driving LA to Monterey
 

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.

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.

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.

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 ;)

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.

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...

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.

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...

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 :)