fastest route from carmel to san simeon
 

We're planning to drive down from Carmel to San Simeon as a side trip. I was thinking of taking Hwy 101 rather than the more scenic Hwy 1. Is this the fastest route and how long would it take? (I have already bought tickets to a Hearst Castle tour.)

Lil

You would be depriving yourself of one of life's great joys if you haven't ever driven down rte 1....

I have traveled both these roads--
101 and 1-- It seems that over to t01 then down to Paso Robles then cross over to Highway 1 and back up 1 through Cambria to the Castle--Is SO out of your way...However, I have never "timed" either route..The only time hwy 1 is not suitable is during the winter rains...
If this is just a day trip...check that hiwy 1 is open and go for it...
You could always drive back the 101 route..
It is the beautiful scenery on 1 that makes is a "slower" trip because you can not resist stopping to absorb the beauty !!!

This is one of the funniest questions I've ever read on here.

I did a quick map on Yahoo maps to check the respective travel times.

Heading straight down Hwy 1 shows 90 miles and just over 2 hours of travel time, which assumes a 45 mph, which IMO is a little ambitious. Cutting average speed down to 35 puts the trip at right around 2 hours 30 minutes. You will probably make better time than that though.

Going around on Hwy 101 is 156 miles and 2 hours 45 minutes.