Traffic can get gnarly during Monterey Car Week as over 100,000 visitors are expected to descend on the region during the 10-day festival starting Aug. 7.
With more than 35 automotive events taking place across the region in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Sand City and Seaside, planning ahead is crucial.
To help locals and visitors stay ahead of the traffic, Monterey County offers a free online traffic tracker and a dedicated text line for public safety alerts during car week.
Located at Monterey Car Week 2026, the daily tracker includes a map legend that shows exactly what’s going on each day of the event as well as a Monterey Car Week event schedule. New this year, users can click on a Car Week event, except private ones, and get driving directions through your own navigation system, whether that is Waze or Google or Apple Maps.
The tracker shows traffic closures, including dates and times and has links to traffic web cams.
Powered by data from Caltrans and the county public works department, the mobile-friendly online tool offers live traffic updates and real-time road closures.
People can also text “CARWEEK” to 65513 for Public Safety texts during Monterey Car Week.
Free shuttle services
The MST Trolley will run throughout car week (Aug. 7-16) along downtown Monterey, Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
There is free parking and shuttle pickup/drop-off at Larsen Field on Rio Road in Carmel for Concours for a Cause on Aug. 12, and for Carmel Concours on Aug. 13. Shuttle runs every 10 min. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Free parking and shuttle pickup and drop-off is available at the corner of General Jim Moore Blvd and Eucalyptus Road in Seaside for Exotics on Broadway in Seaside on Aug 15. Shuttles run all day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shuttles will be available for attendees of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance at Carmel Plaza (Ocean Ave. between Junipero and Mission) in Carmel-by-the-Sea on Aug. 16. Shuttle runs 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets $40/person.
No Parking restrictions at Bixby Bridge
Just in time for car week, no parking signs are being installed at Bixby Bridge near Big Sur. The parking ordinance becomes active and enforceable once signs are fully placed.
Since State Route 1 was fully reopened earlier this year, the iconic spot has become overrun with visitors, creating traffic jams and generally unsafe conditions.
No-thru traffic permitted Aug. 13-16 at Pebble Beach
Due to heavy traffic congestion during last year’s event, traffic along scenic 17-Mile Drive will be restricted at Pebble Beach from Aug. 13-16.
Only those attending Pebble Beach Concours events, hotel guests, members, pass-holders and residents will be permitted. Diners at Pebble Beach restaurants are recommended to make reservations ahead of time.
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: How to get around during Monterey Car Week
Reporting by Roseann Cattani, Salinas Californian / Salinas Californian
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Roseann Cattani, Salinas Californian | USA TODAY Network
