This stretch of Highway 1 has a new speed limit. How fast can you go?
Drivers will encounter lower speed limits on a stretch of Highway 1 in Big Sur, according to the California Department of Transportation.
The change, which went into effect this week, aims to “encourage the safe and orderly flow of traffic,” Caltrans said in a news release.
Here’s what to know about the new speed limit:
Where is speed limit change on Highway 1?
According to Caltrans, the speed limit change affects a 5.1-mile-long segment of Highway 1 in Monterey County, starting south of Coast Road and extending north to Garrapata Creek Bridge.
It’s a “scenic and heavily traveled portion” of the Pacific Coast Highway, California said.
How fast can I drive in Big Sur?
The speed limit on the roughly 5-mile stretch of the two-lane rural highway was reduced from 55 mph to 45 mph in both directions, Caltrans said.
By lowering the speed limit, “We can effectively promote the orderly movement of traffic while creating a safer environment for all users of Highway 1,”
“Slower speeds will afford motorists greater reaction time in navigating the roadway, reducing the likelihood of collision and enhancing overall road safety,” California Highway Patrol Capt. Erica Elias said in the release.
Caltrans said that all the speed limit signs in the area have been updated.
“Enforcement is effective immediately,” the state roads agency said.
Why did Caltrans lower speed limit in Monterey County?
Caltrans said it conducted an engineering and traffic survey that evaluated “existing speed limits, collision history and roadway conditions.”
That includes vehicles parked in pullouts, pedestrian crossings, cyclists sharing the road and the “configuration of horizontal curves.” according to the release.
Caltrans said it uses multiple resources to determine speed limits on state highways, include engineering evaluations, the California Vehicle Code and California’s Uniform Traffic Control Devices manual.
You can stay updated by following Caltrans’ District 5 on X, Facebook and Instagram.
This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 12:45 PM.
