If you’ve ever sat in that soul-crushing line of brake lights at the base of the Tejon Pass, you know the feeling. One minute you're cruising through the Central Valley, and the next, you’re staring at a "Road Closed" sign because a cloud looked at the mountain wrong. Today is Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and if you’re asking is i-5 open through the grapevine today, the answer is a cautious yes—but there's a catch that might ruin your day if you're hauling a trailer.
Currently, the Interstate 5 is open to all passenger vehicles. However, Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) have issued a High Wind Advisory for the entire stretch from Santa Clarita up to Fort Tejon.
They aren't joking around with this one. Winds are whipping through the canyons at speeds that make high-profile vehicles feel like kites. If you are driving a camper, pulling a trailer, or carrying a permit load, the official word is: Travel is not recommended. ### What’s Happening on the Pass Right Now?
The weather is actually pretty clear, which is the deceptive part. It's sunny with highs near 61°F, but the pressure gradients are causing those nasty northeast gusts. We’re seeing gusts up to 45 mph today, and by tonight, they could hit 50 mph.
For a regular sedan, it’s just a "two hands on the wheel" kind of drive. For a semi-truck or a Sprinter van? It’s a white-knuckle nightmare.
- Road Status: Open (No snow closures).
- Advisories: High Wind Advisory in effect.
- Restriction: "Travel Not Recommended" for campers and trailers.
- Visibility: Clear, though some morning haze was reported near the Grapevine exit.
Why the Grapevine is a Total Diva
Honestly, the Tejon Pass is one of the most temperamental stretches of road in the United States. It peaks at about 4,144 feet at the summit. That’s high enough to catch snow when Los Angeles is basking in 65-degree weather.
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But it’s not just snow. The "Grapevine" refers specifically to the 6.5-mile grade on the northern side, but most people use the name for the whole 40-mile crawl between Castaic and the San Joaquin Valley.
When the Grapevine shuts down, California basically breaks in half.
The detour is a 4-hour detour through the Mojave Desert via SR-14 to US-395 or the 101 up the coast. Neither is fun when you just want to get home. Caltrans District 6 is currently managing a culvert repair project near post miles 7.5 and 9.0 in Kern County, so even when it’s "open," don’t expect a clear shot. You might hit some lane narrowing in the median.
Is i-5 open through the grapevine today? Checking the Sources
Don't just take my word for it. Things change fast. If a truck tips over near Pyramid Lake or a brush fire starts near Lebec, that "open" status turns into a "closed" status in five minutes.
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You should always double-check these three specific spots before you hit the climb:
- Caltrans QuickMap: This is the holy grail. It shows the "CMS" (Changeable Message Signs) in real-time. If the map shows a little red circle with a white line, the party's over.
- CHP Fort Tejon Social Media: The officers at the Fort Tejon station are the ones actually out there in the wind. They usually post updates on X (formerly Twitter) faster than the official websites update.
- The 1-800-427-7623 Hotline: It’s old school, but it works. You just punch in "5" and it gives you the automated readout for the whole state.
The Snow Factor and Operation Snowflake
We lucked out today because the snow level is way above the pass. But if you’re reading this and the temperature is dropping, keep an eye out for "Operation Snowflake."
That’s the CHP's fancy name for when they start escorting traffic. They’ll use pace cars to lead groups of vehicles through at 25 mph. It’s better than a closure, but it adds two hours to your trip. If the ice gets too thick or the visibility hits zero, they shut the gates at Parker Rd in Castaic (northbound) and at the bottom of the grade in Grapevine (southbound).
How to Survive the Drive Today
Since the winds are the main story today, here’s the deal. If you're in a light car, you're fine, but stay away from the side of big rigs. They lean. If they catch a 50 mph gust while you're passing them, things get dicey real quick.
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Also, watch your engine temp. People forget that even in January, the climb from the valley floor is a brutal 6% grade. Every year, someone's radiator gives up the ghost right before Gorman.
Pro-tip: Fill up your tank in Santa Clarita or Wheeler Ridge. If the road does close while you're on it, you do not want to be stuck in a 10-mile backup with your "low fuel" light on and the heater running.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Wind: If you are towing anything, check the latest gusts at the National Weather Service Interstate 5 Corridor forecast. If gusts are over 40 mph, consider waiting until tomorrow morning when they're slated to die down.
- Verify Construction: Be aware of the culvert repairs near the median in the Tejon Pass; expect minor lane shifts.
- Emergency Kit: It’s mid-January. Even if it’s sunny, keep a blanket and water in the car. If the I-5 closes, you might be sitting there for a while before you can even turn around.
- Use Waze: Seriously. The user reports on Waze often flag "objects on road" (like blown-over trash or debris) before the CHP even gets a call.
The road is open, the sun is out, but the wind is the boss today. Take it slow, keep your hands at 9 and 3, and maybe skip the Grapevine if you're driving a literal house on wheels.