BajaNomad

WOW! Tested new Tecate - Rosarito highway

The Gull - 9-23-2006 at 11:18 AM

From the entrance near Fox Studios on the coast to the Otay Mesa (Garita de Otay) border crossing was 35 minutes in the middle of the day in the middle of the week. Easy to follow curving road with practically no body on it. Might not try it at night as lots of grazing area and blind curves could be dangerous with cattle and such on the road. Near the point at which it turns toward Tecate, there is a big sign for Garita de Otay and La Presa. Taking that and following the Tijuana signs got me to a final sign that said Garita de Otay. I turned right when I saw it and that road took me directly into the line-up at the border. Watch the potholes.

I got to the Sentri line and took 2 minutes to cross. From the crossing to 805 it was 9 minutes. Big advantage was that there are many gas stations along the nine miles and they are 10-15 cents cheaper than gas in other places in San Diego. Gas was 2.68 at most places last week.

From Calafia to Palm Ave in Chula Vista in less than 50 minutes, provides no reason to ever go back across at SY.

[Edited on 9-23-2006 by The Gull]

[Edited on 9-23-2006 by The Gull]

David K - 9-23-2006 at 11:23 AM

Thanks Gull...

I saw where it intersected Hwy. 2-D by the Tijuana toll gate... Did you see that big horn sheep monument?

It is well signed for those coming from Tecate or Mexicali, who wish to head south to Ensenada... This may reduce traffic on Hwy. 3 between Tecate and Ensenada as 4 lanes is better than two, for passing slow trucks and cars... a problem on Hwy. 3!

[Edited on 9-23-2006 by David K]

Bob and Susan - 9-23-2006 at 11:40 AM

Gull

I'll be at Otay next friday...
Do I just go straight ahead to get on this new toll road?

I always get the tour of TJ when i cross at Otay...
It's wonder I find the ensenada toll road at all

how is it signed or marked?

DanO - 9-23-2006 at 11:44 AM

Yeah, I have the same question -- how do you get to it going southbound from Otay?

DanO - 9-23-2006 at 11:48 AM

There is a quicker way from Otay to the Ensenada toll road than just wandering through TJ (not that that isn't a lot of fun, but I usually don't have half a day to waste) -- take the airport road, which loops around the north of the airport and dumps you off at Cuahtemoc. (Incidentally, anyone know what all the coffins and crosses are on the fence across from the airport?) Take a right on Heroes and it's just a few blocks to the San Ysidro interchange and the river road.

Miguel de la Noche - 9-23-2006 at 02:37 PM

The crosses and coffins are a representation of the people who have died trying to cross the border illegally--so I have been told. If anyone has more info, that would be great.

As far as the new highway--I will check it out next trip. Anybody try it northbound thru Otay on a Sunday??

David K - 9-23-2006 at 03:38 PM

Guys, when you come into Mexico at Otay, follow the signs for MEXICALI and TECATE CUOTA (Mex. 2-D)... that will take you from southbound to eastbound, 2 main intersections are passed through and in about 3 or 4 miles from the border you will approach the NEW highway junction... The new road turns south (right) for Rosarito & Ensenada, and the Tecate toll road turns north (see the toll gate off to the left).

A GIANT BIG HORN SHEEP monument is at this junction.

Sorry I didn't get the milages or GPS last weekend, it was kind of a surprise to me heading to Otay from Guadalupe Canyon...



[Edited on 9-23-2006 by David K]

View from Space!

David K - 9-23-2006 at 04:11 PM

New Road Jcn. & TJ Toll Gate, Hwy. 2-D

BajaKamper - 9-23-2006 at 10:41 PM

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21403
Northbound, watch the local traffic between libre Hwy 2 and cuota Hwy 2. When approaching the turn north at McDonalds, get in the right lane early.

David K - 9-23-2006 at 11:03 PM

Thanks for that Kamper... Could you post that GPS satellite map of the new road here, as well?

The Gull - 9-24-2006 at 11:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DanO
There is a quicker way from Otay to the Ensenada toll road than just wandering through TJ (not that that isn't a lot of fun, but I usually don't have half a day to waste) -- take the airport road, which loops around the north of the airport and dumps you off at Cuahtemoc. (Incidentally, anyone know what all the coffins and crosses are on the fence across from the airport?) Take a right on Heroes and it's just a few blocks to the San Ysidro interchange and the river road.


There is a quicker way past TJ. It is a route south of TJ that goes thru the famous intersection of "cinco y diez" where all the bus station traffic is located. It is near the Home Depot location. How to get there from the north? Haven't got a clue, as I only know it from the south.

David K - 9-24-2006 at 11:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by The Gull
Quote:
Originally posted by DanO
There is a quicker way from Otay to the Ensenada toll road than just wandering through TJ (not that that isn't a lot of fun, but I usually don't have half a day to waste) -- take the airport road, which loops around the north of the airport and dumps you off at Cuahtemoc. (Incidentally, anyone know what all the coffins and crosses are on the fence across from the airport?) Take a right on Heroes and it's just a few blocks to the San Ysidro interchange and the river road.


There is a quicker way past TJ. It is a route south of TJ that goes thru the famous intersection of "cinco y diez" where all the bus station traffic is located. It is near the Home Depot location. How to get there from the north? Haven't got a clue, as I only know it from the south.


Straight down the hill from the Otay border. Just follow the signs for Rosarito & Ensenada... passes right by Home Depot (on the right). That road continues on to meet the original Free road for Ensenada or continue straight for Playas de Tijuana back to the border fence road (1-D).

Gadget - 12-11-2006 at 07:04 PM

I was planning on leading the crew up the new road to Otay on the way back from the 1000. The really bad fog and a long day on the road prevented us from making the transition. Is there a ramp for it off the toll road or do you have to be on El Libre? We got diverted by only 6 cars at TJ and had to go to Otay. I am over that cluster :fire: at TJ and this looks like a good new route. I just need to do it in the daylight once I guess.

Iflyfish - 12-11-2006 at 07:22 PM

I would like some clarification.

I am driving down to Ensenada in a couple of weeks. I will no doubt take the toll road to Ensenada. I assume I will be driving down 5 to San Yasidro. It has been some years since I have traveled to Ensenada.

Are you describing a route from the border to Ensenada?

I recall having to drive through TJ in order to get on the toll road. I found the route confusing.

Would someone describe the most direct route to Ensenada, or is this what I am reading.

Having gone to the Mexican Consulate twice in the past week in my attempts to get the paperwork done for taking our vehicle into Mexico for a couple of months, and perhaps then over to the mainland, I was finally told to do this at the border. So off I go with the title to our vehicle, since we own it, passports etc., which frankly makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. But I guess that is how it must be done.

I would appreciate someone walking me through the process at the border, TJ, Otay? whichever is most direct, or referring me to the appropriate historical post that will help me with this.

Man I appreciate this site and the people on it.

Thanks amigos.

Iflyfish

David K - 12-11-2006 at 09:03 PM

IFlyFish, it's easy: southbound I-5 or I-805 to Mexico... cross in (use far right lane on I-805 if you need to get tourist card or it stamped)... Pass Red Light/Green Light, go straight ahead and UP onto bridge... ON TOP OF BRIDGE, get into RIGHT LANE (it is very well signed for ENSENADA/ ROSARITO/ PLAYAS de Tijuana) and exits RIGHT off the bridge to the north and goes right to the road heading west along the border fence, up the steep hill and down onto the toll highway (right lane)...

David K - 12-11-2006 at 09:05 PM

Note, this is the EASY and fast way to Ensenada for those going south... NOT the way to the Otay/Popotla new road 'BLVD. 2000'... I already explained how to find that in a post above...

Iflyfish - 12-12-2006 at 03:25 AM

David K,

Thanks a lot. That removes one more hasstle. I am getting somewhat frantic with last minute details. Hectic. I can hardly wait to hit the road. Whooosh, away goes the stress.

Iflyfish

wilderone - 12-12-2006 at 09:40 AM

So this is a free road? How is it signed at the Mex. 1 point? Does it have it's own Hwy No.? Or is it part of Mex. 2? Don't you think this will increase the border traffic at Otay now? Is this primarily a route for trucks?

Hook - 12-12-2006 at 11:08 AM

Ditto on wilderone's questions.

Unless it is a free road, I dont see any reason why I would drive out to Otay just to get to Ensenada. I never have problems with the toll road HEADED SOUTH from SY.

Besides, is the FMT two-step as easy at Otay as it is at SY?

Only works with SENTRI!

Dave - 12-12-2006 at 11:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by The Gull
I got to the Sentri line and took 2 minutes to cross. From the crossing to 805 it was 9 minutes. From Calafia to Palm Ave in Chula Vista in less than 50 minutes, provides no reason to ever go back across at SY.


If you don't have SENTRI it doesn't pay. The time you save getting to the border can be easily doubled or tripled just waiting in line.

Dave - 12-12-2006 at 11:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Unless it is a free road, I dont see any reason why I would drive out to Otay just to get to Ensenada. I never have problems with the toll road HEADED SOUTH from SY.


ONLY advantage is if towing a large, heavy rig. You would avoid "transmission hill".