Originally Posted by
mlshanks
Incidentally, it's almost guaranteed that the CHP will be running heavy enforcement along Highway 101 between Santa Maria and Gaviota on the Labor Day weekend, so any ideas of making the 101 run at high speed to make up for it's greater length should be avoided...
By contrast, the Northern I-5 sections of the other two routes mentioned sees very little CHP presence until one hits the I-5, US-99 merge just before Tejon Pass. Even though labor day in general sees greater law enforcement presence, CHP is still very thin on the ground on I-5, since all arrestees have to be hauled either to Bakersfield or Fresno...well east of the highway.
I've always had the impression that 101 near King City was a huge speed trap. I used to make the commute between SJ and LA, but this was some 15 years ago. When I drove, I almost always took 101-152-5. It's boring, but a straight shot. Just make sure you hit "recirc" on your A/C when you get near Coalinga, as the cattle farms can get, well, fragrant. Especially on hot days.
On the plus side, once safely upwind you can stop and get a pretty good prime rib lunch at Harris Ranch. Better if you're not the one driving, of course...