Carmel Valley Road Traffic Report: Volumes Below Limits, But Drivers Still Face Following-Time Problems

CARMEL VALLEY, Monterey County — October 29, 2026. Monterey County’s published 2026 traffic-monitoring report offers a more nuanced picture of congestion on Carmel Valley Road than a simple count of cars. A report submitted to the Board of Supervisors on January 27, 2026 found that average daily traffic on the required monitored segments was below the thresholds in the Carmel Valley Master Plan, but several segments experienced unacceptable levels of time spent following slower vehicles.

What roads were monitored?

County staff normally track 13 defined segments in the broader Carmel Valley Master Plan area, with annual reporting required for six particular segments along Carmel Valley Road. The measurements used here were taken in June and October 2025, representing different school-calendar conditions. The evaluation also reviewed the five-year period since 2020.

What did the results find?

All reportable segments remained below the adopted average daily traffic (ADT) threshold, according to the county staff report. But segments 5, 6 and 7 exceeded the percent time spent following (PTSF) performance threshold. Segments 4 through 7 were within 20% of the ADT limits. In plain language, volumes may be below the ceiling even when traffic moves in slow groups behind other vehicles.

Could construction have affected the counts?

County staff specifically cautioned that several construction projects may have influenced observed traffic flow, including work at the Carmel Valley Road–Laureles Grade roundabout and utility or sewer works. The report must therefore not be described as a real-time measurement of traffic on October 29.

What happens to future housing?

The county’s five-year review did not find grounds to add more segments to annual monitoring under the plan’s adopted test. It also stated that the five-year comparisons did not require a change to the unit cap on development at that stage. That does not constitute approval of any individual subdivision or guarantee that road conditions will remain unchanged.

Where to read the results

Residents can examine the county’s segment maps, traffic counts and intersection observations and participate in future hearings if performance thresholds trigger further review.

Primary source: Monterey County Board of Supervisors, File 26-063, January 27, 2026. This is an explanation of the earlier official monitoring report, not a new traffic alert.

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