The Ortega Highway

Check the live box at the top of our Traffic page, which shows the latest Caltrans report for SR-74, or call Caltrans road information at 1-800-427-7623. Crashes and construction can stop traffic before they show up in that report, so also check Caltrans QuickMap and the CHP incident log.

Crashes, wildfires, storms and construction. Caltrans' SR-74 lane-widening project near Lake Elsinore uses weeknight flagging with lane closures and has included 55-hour full weekend closures with no through access between Orange County and Lake Elsinore. See Construction & closures.

About 28 miles, from I-5 in San Juan Capistrano to Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore (route length). It is two lanes for most of the way.

Drivers going between south Orange County and Lake Elsinore usually go around on the freeways (I-5, CA-91 and I-15). Check Caltrans QuickMap or your map app for the best route at the time.

It is a narrow, winding two-lane mountain road with heavy commuter traffic. An analysis of CHP crash data ranked its Riverside County section among California's deadliest roads for motorcyclists. See our Safety page for the numbers and how to ride and drive it safely.

Only to park at designated Forest Service sites such as the San Juan Loop trailhead. Per the Forest Service, you don't need one when driving through the forest without stopping, or for brief stops like a stretch break, photo or restroom. America the Beautiful passes are also accepted.

Fill up before you head into the mountains. At the west end, there is a Chevron at 27101 Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano. Services along the mountain section are limited; see Plan your drive.

Caltrans says the San Juan Capistrano end is heavily congested during the morning and evening peak hours, and weeknight construction flagging near Lake Elsinore can add delays at night. Check live traffic before you go.