Highway 1 Big Sur Reopening 2026: What Changes for Your Road Trip?
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Last updated: January 10, 2026
📅 January 10, 2026: Repairs at Regent’s Slide are nearing completion, and recent inspections confirm slope stability. A minor rockfall on January 6–7 was cleared quickly.
✅ Status: Official reopening target remains late March 2026 (Caltrans).
⚠️ Note: Winter storms may still cause temporary closures. Always check Caltrans QuickMap before driving.
After years of closures, detours, and frustration, the most scenic stretch of California’s coast is finally close to reopening. Highway 1 through Big Sur has been broken for continuous travel since early 2023, due to the Regent's Slide closure, and 2026 marks the long-awaited return of the full coastal drive.
This guide explains what actually changes after reopening:
– What’s confirmed vs. conditional
– How your road trip improves (and what doesn’t)
– What it means for Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, and Big Sur state parks
– Crowds, parking, and the new normal
– Who should go,and who should wait
If you’ve been holding off on a Highway 1 road trip, this is the update you’ve been waiting for.
Current Status: What’s Reopening and When
Regent’s Slide Explained
Regent’s Slide is the main reason Highway 1 has been broken for travelers.The slope above the roadway became unstable and buried long sections of the route, making through-traffic impossible.
Caltrans’ repair approach goes far beyond a quick cleanup. The focus is long-term stabilization: removing massive debris, reinforcing the hillside, and reducing future rockfall risk, not just reopening the road temporarily.
What’s Confirmed vs. Conditional
Confirmed
Caltrans’ public target remains late March 2026
Continuous north–south traffic through Big Sur returns
Conditional
Winter storms can still trigger short, temporary closures
These are weather-related, not structural failures
Weather Impact on the Timeline (Winter 2026)
Big Sur is dramatic because its geology and weather are dramatic.Heavy rain can loosen slopes and cause brief closures anywhere along Highway 1, even when the main repair zone is stable.
A small rockfall earlier this month was cleared within days.It’s a reminder that winter weather still matters, but it didn’t change the overall timeline.
Tip: Check Caltrans QuickMap the night before and the morning you drive, especially from January to March.
What Changes for a Highway 1 Road Trip in 2026
After years of detours and partial access, the reopening of Highway 1 fundamentally changes how a Big Sur road trip works.Here’s a clear side-by-side comparison of what travelers experienced before, and what returns after the 2026 reopening.
Before vs. After: Side-by-Side Comparison
Aspect | Before Reopening | After Reopening (2026) |
SF → LA drive time | 12–14h+ (often via US-101 detours) | 10–12h coastal route (weather permitting) |
Access through Big Sur | North or South only | Full through traffic ✓ |
Recommended pace | Fragmented, harder to plan | Best as a 2–4 day scenic trip |
Detours required? | Yes | No (except temporary storm closures) |
Parking | Limited, inconsistent access | Still competitive (expect higher demand) |
In practical terms, this means Highway 1 becomes a coherent journey again, not a puzzle of turnarounds and alternate routes. The biggest gain isn't saving time. It's continuity.
Interactive Map: See the Changes Yourself
This map shows the formerly closed zone at Regent's Slide and key stops along Highway 1. Use it to plan your route, explore key points, and understand what's changed since 2023.
Regent’s Slide (repair zone)
Bixby Bridge (Castle Rock Viewpoint)
McWay Falls (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park)
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Ragged Point (south gateway)
Map tip: Save this map to your Google account so you can use it offline during the drive.
Practical Impact on Your Itinerary
After reopening, the classic coastal flow returns.You can drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon without backtracking.
This is the “real” Highway 1 experience:
– Continuous scenery
– Spontaneous pullouts
– A route that finally makes sense again
Who This Road Trip Works For; And Who Should Wait
Yes, go if:
You want the full SF–LA coastal drive
You enjoy slow travel, scenic stops, and flexibility
You’re planning 2–4 days, not rushing
No, wait if:
You’re on a tight schedule
You dislike long, winding coastal roads
You want zero weather uncertainty
For solo travelers and women 50+ who value a smooth, low-stress flow, waiting until late March or April is the smartest move.
What This Means for Key Stops
Bixby Bridge
After reopening, Bixby Bridge becomes easier to reach from both directions again, but also busier than ever.Planning matters more than ever.
👉 See our complete Bixby Bridge travel guide for photo spots, parking tips, and safety advice.
👉 Discover 5 other spectacular bridges along Highway 1 that most visitors skip.
McWay Falls (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park)
McWay Falls returns to being a natural stop on a continuous coastal route, not a “choose your side” decision.
Expect peak congestion and limited parking, especially on weekends. Arrive before 10 AM or after 4 PM for better access.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park & Pfeiffer Beach (Clean Slate Tip)
These parks are among the biggest beneficiaries of the reopening.
Think of this as a clean-slate trip:many trails, facilities, and infrastructure were refurbished during the quieter years of closure.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: redwoods, riverside trails, calm inland breaks
Pfeiffer Beach: sunset classic with Keyhole Rock (parking still tight)
Tip: Do Pfeiffer Big Sur in the morning, Pfeiffer Beach late afternoon.
Nepenthe
Nepenthe returns to being a natural mid-drive stop, not a logistics puzzle.Coffee, lunch, and one of the most iconic terraces on the coast.
Peak hours (12–2 PM) can mean a wait, go early or late afternoon.
Ragged Point (South Big Sur Gateway)
Coming from the south, Ragged Point is the ideal reset: dramatic views, restrooms, and a clear transition into Big Sur’s most scenic stretch.
Walk the short cliffside trail to the waterfall overlook before continuing north.
Crowds, Parking & the New Normal
With the closure ending, traffic on Highway 1 is expected to surge as pent-up demand from 2023–2025 spills onto the coast.
Parking at iconic stops will remain competitive
Enforcement is likely stricter than before
Best Time to Go in 2026 (Honest Advice)
Late March: reopening window, but weather risk remains
April–May: best balance of access, weather, and crowds
Summer: iconic, but crowded; start early or go late
FAQs: Highway 1 Big Sur Reopening 2026
Is Highway 1 fully open in Big Sur in 2026?
Highway 1 is expected to fully reopen in Big Sur in late March 2026, restoring continuous north–south traffic for the first time since early 2023. Until then, access remains partial from the north (Carmel) or south (Cambria). Always check Caltrans QuickMap for real-time updates.
How long does it take to drive Highway 1 from SF to LA after reopening?
After reopening, expect about 10–12 hours of pure driving time from San Francisco to Los Angeles via Highway 1. However, this is one of the world's most scenic routes; rushing defeats the purpose. Most travelers plan 2–4 days to enjoy stops like Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, and Big Sur's state parks, plus frequent photo stops, meals, and short hikes.
Do I need a permit to drive Highway 1 in Big Sur in 2026?
No permit is required. Highway 1 is a public road, though parking restrictions and park entrance fees may apply at certain stops.
Will there be convoys or escorts after reopening?
No convoys are planned once full reopening occurs. Temporary traffic controls may still happen after storms or emergency maintenance.
What’s open in Big Sur right now (January 2026)?
As of January 2026, Big Sur is accessible from both ends, but through-traffic is still blocked at Regent’s Slide.From the north: Bixby Bridge, Point Lobos, Garrapata.From the south: Ragged Point, Salmon Creek Falls.
What caused the Regent’s Slide closure?
Regent’s Slide is a long-active landslide zone that accelerated during recent winters, pushing debris onto Highway 1. Repairs focused on long-term stabilization rather than a quick fix.
Are there gas stations in Big Sur?
Gas is limited and expensive. Fuel up in Carmel/Monterey or Cambria/San Simeon before entering Big Sur.
Is Big Sur worth visiting after reopening?
Absolutely. With Highway 1 restored, Big Sur once again becomes one of the world’s most scenic continuous drives. Late April and early May offer the best balance of access and crowds.
Ready to Book Your 2026 Highway 1 Road Trip?
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you book through the links below, at no extra cost to you.
Big Sur hotels are already seeing demand for late March and April 2026; especially oceanfront properties like Ventana Big Sur and Post Ranch Inn. Lodging is limited, so flexibility matters.
These are the tools for planning a Highway 1 road trip:
Accommodations: We trust Hotels.com for Big Sur stays because of their "free cancellation" filters, crucial if winter storms cause unexpected road changes.
Car Rentals: For the coastal drive, we use Discover Cars to compare rates and secure price protection. They offer a wide range of vehicles perfect for the winding curves of Highway 1.
Flights: Use Expedia search tools to find flights to SFO or LAX with flexible change policies.
Final Takeaway
The reopening of Highway 1 isn’t just a technical milestone, it’s the return of one of the world’s most beautiful road trips.
With realistic expectations and smart timing, 2026 is the best opportunity in years to experience Big Sur as it was meant to be: uninterrupted, dramatic, and unforgettable.