I’ve driven the Pacific Coast Highway more times than I can count, logged thousands of miles on Highway 395, and wound through the Redwoods in fog so thick I could barely see the next curve. California was built for road trips. The state has some of the most scenic drives on the planet, and with the right planning, you can string together a trip that hits coastline, mountains, desert, and wine country in a single week.
Here’s everything I’ve learned from years of California road tripping.
The Three Essential California Routes
Route 1: Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)
This is the crown jewel. Highway 1 runs roughly 655 miles along the California coast, but the essential stretch is the 280 miles between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
My recommended itinerary (4-5 days, southbound):
- Day 1: San Francisco to Monterey (120 miles, 2.5 hours without stops). Hit Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz boardwalk, and arrive in Monterey for the aquarium.
- Day 2: Monterey through Big Sur to San Simeon (95 miles, 3 hours). This is the marquee day. Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, and dozens of pullouts with jaw-dropping views. Take your time.
- Day 3: San Simeon to Santa Barbara (150 miles, 3.5 hours). Stop at Hearst Castle ($30 per person, book ahead), then Morro Bay and Pismo Beach.
- Day 4: Santa Barbara to Malibu and into Los Angeles (100 miles, 2.5 hours). Cruise through wine country in the Santa Ynez Valley if you want to extend the day.
Key PCH tips:
- Drive southbound. You’ll be on the ocean side of the road, making pullouts easier and safer.
- Big Sur has limited cell service and no gas for about 60 miles. Fill up in Carmel or Cambria.
- Check Caltrans for road closures, especially after winter storms. Landslides can close sections for months.
- Gas along the PCH is expensive, typically $1-2 more per gallon than inland stations. I’ve seen $7.50 per gallon in Big Sur.
Route 2: Highway 395 (Eastern Sierra)
This is California’s most underrated drive and honestly my personal favorite. Highway 395 runs along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, with the mountains towering to the west and high desert stretching east.
My recommended itinerary (3-4 days, northbound from LA):
- Day 1: Los Angeles to Lone Pine (200 miles, 3.5 hours). Stop in Red Rock Canyon. Visit the Alabama Hills at sunset, where hundreds of movies were filmed with Mt. Whitney as the backdrop.
- Day 2: Lone Pine to Mammoth Lakes (110 miles, 2 hours). Drive through the Owens Valley, stop at Manzanar National Historic Site (free), and soak in the natural hot springs near Mammoth.
- Day 3: Mammoth Lakes to Lee Vining and Mono Lake (30 miles, 45 minutes). Explore the tufa towers, then drive Tioga Pass into Yosemite (seasonal, $35 park entry per vehicle).
- Day 4: Yosemite back to whichever direction you’re headed.
Highway 395 tips:
- Services are sparse. Keep your tank above half.
- Elevation changes are dramatic. You’ll go from 3,700 feet in Lone Pine to over 9,900 feet at Tioga Pass.
- Wild camping (dispersed camping on BLM land) is legal and plentiful along this route. I’ve had some of the best free campsites of my life out here.
Route 3: Redwood Coast (Highway 101 and Avenue of the Giants)
My recommended itinerary (2-3 days, northbound from San Francisco):
- Day 1: San Francisco to Mendocino (175 miles, 4 hours via Highway 1). Stunning coastal scenery and a charming small town.
- Day 2: Mendocino to the Avenue of the Giants (140 miles, 3 hours via 101). This 31-mile stretch through old-growth redwoods is otherworldly.
- Day 3: Redwood National and State Parks (varies). Prairie Creek, Fern Canyon, and the Tall Trees Grove. Some of the most humbling scenery on earth.
Car Rental Tips
I’ve rented cars for California trips at least a dozen times, and here’s what I’ve learned the hard way.
- Book early. Summer rentals in San Francisco and LA can double in price if you wait until the last month. I typically pay $45-70 per day for a mid-size when booking 6-8 weeks ahead.
- One-way fees are brutal. Dropping a car in a different city can add $150-400 to your total. Sometimes it’s cheaper to drive a loop than pay the drop fee.
- Skip the rental insurance if your credit card offers coverage. Most Chase Sapphire, Amex, and similar travel cards include primary rental coverage.
- Get a car with good gas mileage. At California gas prices ($4.50-5.50 per gallon statewide, higher on the coast), the difference between 25 mpg and 35 mpg adds up fast over a 1,500-mile trip.
- Avoid renting at the airport if you can. Off-airport locations often skip the airport surcharge taxes, saving 10-15%.
Gas Costs: What to Budget
Gas is one of the biggest variable costs on a California road trip. As of recent prices:
- Statewide average: $4.80-5.30 per gallon
- Coastal and remote areas: $5.50-7.50 per gallon
- Cheapest gas: Costco stations in cities ($4.20-4.60) and inland valley towns
- Budget estimate: For a 1,500-mile trip in a car getting 30 mpg, budget $250-300 for gas.
I use GasBuddy to find the cheapest stations along my route. It’s saved me meaningful money over the years, especially on longer trips.
Accommodation Strategies
Camping
California’s state parks and national parks have incredible campgrounds, but they book up fast. Reserve through ReserveCalifornia (state parks) or Recreation.gov (federal) as soon as the booking window opens, which is typically 6 months ahead for state parks and 5 months for national parks.
Campsite fees range from $25-50 per night for state parks and $26-35 for national park campgrounds. Compared to hotel rates, camping can save you $150+ per night.
Hotels and Motels
Budget motels along the PCH and Highway 101 run $120-180 per night. Mid-range hotels in beach towns like Santa Barbara, Monterey, or Mendocino are $200-350 per night. I’ve found that smaller independent motels often offer better value and more character than chains.
Mix It Up
My favorite strategy is alternating between camping and hotels. Two nights camping, one night in a hotel for a shower and a real bed. This keeps costs down while preventing camping burnout on longer trips.
Timing Your Road Trip
The ideal California road trip window is mid-September through mid-October. Here’s why:
- Summer crowds are gone
- Weather is warm and clear statewide
- Tioga Pass is still open (usually)
- Hotel and rental car prices drop after Labor Day
- Wine country is in harvest mode
May and June are also excellent, especially for wildflowers and waterfalls. Avoid July and August if you can. The traffic, crowds, and prices all peak simultaneously.
Essential Road Trip Gear
After plenty of trial and error, here’s what I always bring:
- Paper maps or downloaded offline maps. Cell service disappears for long stretches on all three routes.
- Cooler with snacks and water. Food options are sparse and overpriced in remote areas.
- Layers. You can go from 95°F in the desert to 55°F on the foggy coast in the same day.
- Tire pressure gauge and basic emergency kit. Cell service gaps mean AAA can’t always reach you quickly.
A California road trip is one of the best travel experiences in the world. The key is picking the right route for your interests, budgeting realistically for gas and lodging, and giving yourself enough days to actually enjoy the drive instead of rushing through it.