BajaNomad

Resurfacing Road, Hwy 1, Pilot Car Situation, Long wait

sarahsmiff - 2-27-2021 at 05:29 PM

First post, but long time lurker. And since I mostly come here in hopes of getting road condition updates, I thought I'd actually contribute something, since no one has in a while.
Somewhere on that long stretch of road between El Rosario and GN, before you get to all the boulders and Cirios. Wish I had a more precise location for you but it all just kind of starts to blur together at some point... This was on Thursday.
Anyway, they had it down to one lane for about a 10 mile stretch. Had to wait for the pilot car to guide us. Was stuck waiting about 30 minutes, then had to follow the pilot at about 10 mph.
Then yesterday, there was another stretch just about 30 miles outside of La Paz that was down to one lane for a bit. No pilot car. Just workers telling you to stop and then when it was your turn to go.
Other than those two spots it was smooth sailing the whole way up and back down.
On the way north was stopped at every single checkpoint and asked to get out and let them search my car. They seemed to be doing this to all north bound vehicles. On the way back down, waved through every time. But still looked like they were giving the north bounders hell. Some of the checkpoints had long lines. All officers were polite and professional.

Russ - 2-27-2021 at 06:15 PM

That was a really great 1st post. Nice to have another lurker convert.

sarahsmiff - 2-27-2021 at 06:19 PM

Thanks Russ!

David K - 2-27-2021 at 11:28 PM

Welcome and thank you!

sarahsmiff - 2-28-2021 at 08:55 AM

de nada, tostada!

DIWR17 - 3-1-2021 at 08:45 AM

Nice post, really helpful. Have to take a run up to SoCal from SJD to pick up a new bike soon.

Again thanks.

bajafreaks - 3-1-2021 at 03:39 PM

Where did you cross at going south and where was your final destination,
La Paz ?

RFClark - 3-1-2021 at 04:51 PM

Be sure and cover any Tats when you’re north bound!

sarahsmiff - 3-2-2021 at 07:14 AM

bajafreaks - I crossed going North, and back South at San Ysidro. Cabo San Lucas was my final destination on the return.

RF - I don't have any tattoos to cover. I was just a solo traveler. I was a little nervous on the first couple of stops, because in all my previous trips I have never been asked to get out of the vehicle. Lucky I guess, before. But it was plain to see they were doing this to every single North bound vehicle. And after the first couple of stops I was prepared for it, and actually it was nice to have a reason to get out and stretch my legs a bit. Same feeling for the pilot car stops. That's a long drive to make on your own.
As I mentioned in the original post, all of the agents were professional and polite. Some even made small talk and jokes with me. Surprised that I spoke Spanish, I imagine. And on the way back South I was never given so much as a glance.
Just kind of wondered why they are being so thorough on the North-bounders.

pacificobob - 3-2-2021 at 07:37 AM

i drove from bottom to top sunday and Monday. hwy 1, to 5 to 2. traffic delay due to construction were less than 15 minutes.
roads in great shape. the tecate crossing closes at 2pm...thats supposed to change next month ...or so i was told. getting vaxed today.
check points were about normal. maybe less nosey than normal.. ..we had very little gear as this is just a 2 day trip.

BajaBlanca - 3-2-2021 at 12:34 PM

We were waved thru last week, both north and south bound. We did the Mexicali route and loved it.

For the first time ever, at one of the southbound military stops, the man asked if we had visas.

:o


We answered we are Mexicans and he waved us through. First time in 15+ years!