BajaNomad - El Compadre Road Tecate to Ojos Negros

El Compadre Road Tecate to Ojos Negros

Baja Juan - 6-21-2026 at 10:12 AM

Headed down to Baja in September and route planning. What is the road like between Tecate and Ojos Negros and what speed can I expect to average? Never been on this road, usually go through Ensenada with a quick stop at Hussongs (somewhat quick) then out 3. Always looking for a new adventure. Traveling in off road capable vehicles. Thanks in advance.

surfhat - 6-21-2026 at 12:07 PM

After fifty plus years of driving down Baja to Baja Sur and back, I

have yet to wean myself from experiencing the majesty of the Valle de Cirios every time I get the chance.

Stopping to breathe in that pure desert Catavina air will reinvigorate

your road time, every time.

SFandH - 6-21-2026 at 12:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Baja Juan

Headed down to Baja in September and route planning. What is the road like between Tecate and Ojos Negros and what speed can I expect to average? Never been on this road, usually go through Ensenada with a quick stop at Hussongs (somewhat quick) then out 3. Always looking for a new adventure. Traveling in off road capable vehicles. Thanks in advance.

I'd be worried about cartel bad guys on rural roads. Do some research. The Sinaloa and CJNG cartels are both active in northern Baja.

Welcome to the forum!

AKgringo - 6-21-2026 at 12:45 PM

If you are talking about Hwy 3 south from Tecate, then east through Ojos Negros, it is a good run. In September there may be roadside vendors selling fresh cured olives along the route.

If you are talking about the dirt road that heads south somewhere near El Hongo, I am also very curious about the condition. I notice that it is part of the Baja divide bicycle route, so is probably drivable for support vehicles.

I am considering checking it out myself about the same time you are planning your trip, so if I get there first, I will report my findings here.

Baja Juan - 6-21-2026 at 01:19 PM

Thanks all for the input and welcome to the forum. I first went down in 1974 in a backyard volks powered buggy, one year after highway 1 opened. The route I am talking about in my post would cross the border in Tecate, and then the road heads South East for a while, and then south to highway 3 just east of Ojos Negro. Appears mostly dirt for approximately 70 miles. I have attached a pdf which shows the route from Tecate to Mike's. My biggest reservation is having to miss out on the margaritas as Hussongs!

Baja Juan - 6-21-2026 at 01:29 PM

Doesn't appear the attachment came with the post.....

David K - 6-21-2026 at 09:25 PM

The Compadre Trail is a route from Mex 2 to Mex 3 (San Felipe Leg) east of Ojos Negros... It is shown on my map: See Rancho El Compadre... I have not driven it, but Cameron often uses it for his TV show tours:

Ateo - 6-21-2026 at 09:33 PM

I just flew over that section of your map this afternoon! Lots of wind turbines out there now! Like Geoff's thread from a few weeks ago mentioned....

[Edited on 6-22-2026 by Ateo]

Maderita - 6-22-2026 at 12:03 AM

Baja Juan,

The Compadre Trail from Highway 2 (Rancho Santa Veronica) to Highway 3 (near Ojos Negros) is normally in good condition during September. However, summer monsoonal rains (late July through September) can create flashfloods and washouts in the Sierra de Juarez. Keep an eye on tropical storm patterns in the week prior to your trip.

Some folks like to start south on the Compadre Trail, then cut across east to Ranchos Las Margaritas & El Topo, then join the road between La Rumorosa and Laguna Hanson (Parque Nacional Constitución de 1857). From the lake, continue southwest to join Highway 3. The national park is a beautiful forested area. While still quite scenic, the shallow lake is unlikely to have water in September. This year, it was bone-dry by April.

Another option is to drive Highway 2D east, all the way to La Rumorosa, Drive south from there on good dirt roads to Laguna Hanson and on to Hwy 3. La Rumorosa has an Arco gas station to top off, an excellent restaurant, https://www.cabanadelabuelo.com/ and a fabulous bakery (award winning best in Baja California) https://www.dulcealtura.com/ This route starts at 4,000' elev. and climbs to 5,000' for much of the distance. The new wind turbine generators are along the initial 8 miles of this route, as it is closer to the eastern escarpment.

Either route takes about 2.5 hours driving time with moderate driving speeds. Add time for group travel and a scenic stretch break. My experience leading small caravans of vehicles says 3.0 hours, but allow for 3.5 hours.

Yes, there are cartel in the mountains along all of those roads. I'm more concerned about the random robber/carjacker incidents. As a result, I've discontinued my habitual driving the dirt roads at night. You might read my note: https://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=93469&pa...
And this from June 2025: https://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=102071#pid12...

Baja Juan - 6-22-2026 at 08:45 AM

Once again, thank you all for the input. We will be crossing the border in Tecate, hopefully fairly early in the day. Maybe we are a little too close to the border for taking back roads to Mike's, so will probably take the highway to Ensenada and include Hussong's in this year's Journey. I charted the route on GAIA and it appears to be a beautiful way to go....

Baja Juan.
www.jeepbaja.com (still under construction)

bajatrailrider - 6-22-2026 at 08:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Baja Juan

Thanks all for the input and welcome to the forum. I first went down in 1974 in a backyard volks powered buggy, one year after highway 1 opened. The route I am talking about in my post would cross the border in Tecate, and then the road heads South East for a while, and then south to highway 3 just east of Ojos Negro. Appears mostly dirt for approximately 70 miles. I have attached a pdf which shows the route from Tecate to Mike's. My biggest reservation is having to miss out on the margaritas as Hussongs! Be warned if going from Mikes to El coyotes it is very difficult on 4x4 truck. We did it on dirt bikes a handful I dont think I would try it. On my sxs easy to roll it .

David K - 6-23-2026 at 07:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider

Quote: Originally posted by Baja Juan

Be warned if going from Mikes to El coyotes it is very difficult on 4x4 truck. We did it on dirt bikes a handful I dont think I would try it. On my sxs easy to roll it .