Driving Tips for a Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
Hitting the road on the Pacific Coast Highway? Here are some helpful driving tips to help you have a safe and successful trip.
Weather
The northern section of the Pacific Coast Highway endures harsh weather during winter and gusty winds almost year-round. There can be delays even in the warmer spring and summer months due to heavy traffic or road work. Most of the road is a two-lane highway, but plenty of sections allow for passing. It is important to remember to take your time and enjoy the natural setting.
With the exception of Southern California, weather conditions change rapidly along the Pacific Coast. Be prepared for weather extremes from blustery rainstorms to hot sunny days. Highways can be closed abruptly with some sections impassable, typically due to heavy rains and mudslides. In the event of a road closure, be prepared to take alternative routes that may add hours of driving. Winter snow is a possibility in Washington and Oregon. Carry chains and be prepared to use them.
Wherever there’s coast, there’s a chance of fog—even sunny San Diego experiences fog so thick you can’t see more than a car length ahead. When it comes up, keep your low beams on and drive very slowly.
Wildfires have become a more frequent threat within California, with fire season beginning as early as May and running through December. However, as recent, disastrous conflagrations have proven, fires may start in December, January, and other parts of the year. Do not attempt to drive to or through an active fire zone, even if it means canceling or rerouting your trip. Traveling to a fire-ravaged area in the weeks following a burn may be extremely dangerous, and may interfere with salvage and cleanup efforts.
Traffic
Expect traffic delays at major cities along the route; this is especially true of San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Seattle, where afternoon rush hours begin midafternoon and extend into late evening.
To receive reports on traffic and road conditions, call 511. If your phone carrier does not support 511, call toll-free 800/977-6368. There are additional resources online: Washington State Department of Transportation (http://wsdot.wa.gov), Oregon Department of Transportation (www.tripcheck.com), and the California Department of Transportation (http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov).
Fueling Up
Locating a gas station isn’t hard throughout cities and towns en route; however, there are segments of the Pacific Coast Highway where nothing exists but trees, water, and local wildlife. Plan accordingly by knowing what time you will be arriving at your destination and whether there is a gas station available. Many stations in small towns (especially in Oregon) do not stay open late. Keep a full gas tank when you hit the road and don’t let it drop below a quarter tank.
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