It's 4:00 AM, the coffee hasn't kicked in yet, and you’re staring at the windshield of your car in a Los Angeles driveway. You have to get to Bakersfield or maybe all the way to the Bay. Between you and your destination sits the Tejon Pass. Most people just call it the Grapevine.
If you’ve lived in California long enough, you know the routine. You check the weather, you look at a map, and you pray the "Ridge Route" isn't a parking lot. Honestly, current road conditions grapevine can change faster than a teenager's mood. One minute it’s clear sailing; the next, a big rig is jackknifed near Templin Highway, and you’re stuck for three hours.
Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, the situation is actually pretty manageable, but there are a few "gotchas" that could ruin your morning if you aren't paying attention.
The Current Situation on the I-5 Tejon Pass
Right now, the road is open. That’s the good news. Unlike those brutal winter storms that occasionally shut down the pass entirely, the asphalt is dry. However, Caltrans has issued a high wind advisory. This isn't just a "hold onto your steering wheel" suggestion. It runs from the Los Angeles/Kern County line all the way down to about five miles south of the Junction with SR-99.
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If you’re driving a Honda Civic, you’ll feel a nudge. If you’re pulling a 30-foot travel trailer or driving a high-profile camper, you're in for a stressful ride. Caltrans actually recommends that permit loads and trailers avoid the area during these gusts. We are seeing wind speeds jumping up to 30 mph near the summit. It’s breezy.
What to watch for today:
- Wind Gusts: Specifically hitting after midnight and through the morning hours.
- Construction Creep: There is ongoing work between Lake Hughes Road and Vista Del Lago. They are messing with the guardrails and repaving. It’s not a full closure, but expect lane merges that can cause "phantom" traffic jams.
- The 35-MPH Zone: If you're new to this drive, the northbound descent has a strictly enforced 35-mph limit for commercial vehicles. Don't be the person who tries to weave around a slow truck only to realize they're following the law for a very good reason—the 6% grade is no joke.
Why the "Grapevine" Name is Kind of a Lie
People think the "Grapevine" is the whole 40-mile stretch. Technically, it’s just the 6.5-mile grade on the northern side that drops into the San Joaquin Valley. The name comes from the wild grapes that used to grow in "Canyada de las Uvas."
The pass itself is the Tejon Pass. At 4,144 feet, it’s high enough to catch snow when Los Angeles is just getting a light drizzle. Today we are lucky. The high is hitting about 65°F at the summit. Increasing cloudiness is expected, but no snow. No chains. No "Operation Snowflake" where the CHP escorts groups of cars through the slush.
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Real-Time Resources That Actually Work
Don't trust those "is it open" websites that haven't been updated since 2022. If you want the real story on current road conditions grapevine, you need the primary sources.
- Caltrans QuickMap: This is the gold standard. It shows the "breadman" icons for incidents and real-time speeds. If the line is deep red, just go get breakfast and wait.
- CHP Fort Tejon (Central Division): These guys are the ones actually on the pavement. Their CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) site lists every single fender bender and ladder in the road the second it’s reported.
- The Cameras: There are live feeds at Grapevine Road and the Truck Escape Ramps. Seeing the fog with your own eyes is better than any weather app.
Honestly, the biggest mistake people make is assuming the weather at the "base" (like in Santa Clarita or Grapevine village) is the weather at the top. It can be 10 degrees colder at the summit. Today, the temperature gradient is mild, but the wind is the real player.
Survival Tips for the Tejon Pass
If you see a big rig with smoking brakes, get away from it. The escape ramps are there for a reason, but sometimes drivers hesitate to use them. Give them space.
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Also, watch your fuel. There is a long stretch where "running on fumes" becomes a very dangerous game, especially if a sudden accident shuts the highway down and you’re idling for two hours in the cold.
Actionable Steps for Today's Drive:
- Check the QuickMap app before you pass the SR-126 junction in Castaic. That’s your last real "point of no return" where you can still turn around or find a place to wait.
- Secure your loads. With 30 mph gusts, that mattress on your roof rack is basically a sail.
- Monitor the SR-134 connector. If you're coming from the LA basin, the northbound connector to westbound SR-134 is still reduced to one lane due to emergency work. It'll back you up before you even get to the climb.
- Brake early, not hard. On the 6% grade, use your transmission to help slow you down so you don't cook your rotors.
The Grapevine is a beast, but today it's a sleeping one. Just watch the wind and keep an eye on the guardrail construction near Vista Del Lago. Safe travels.