BajaNomad - Approximate driving times

Approximate driving times

JRabbit - 1-27-2008 at 04:10 PM

I was just curious if there is any information/maps with driving times once through the TJ border?

For instance, how far would we get in an 8 hour drive with minimal stops.

I tried to google search such information and came back with nothing.

Sharksbaja - 1-27-2008 at 04:18 PM

TJ- Catavina about 7-8 hrs

Al G - 1-27-2008 at 04:37 PM

Sharks is probably right...but the road after San Quintin will shock you unless you are in a sub compact like a toyota...even then you are going to find aching muscles in your neck and shoulders, if it is your first trip. I would start evaluating in San Quintin and again in El Rosario. Great Nomad Hotel there at the Pemex. Depending how far you are going....Guerrero Negro will be easier after you get over the first day shock.... :lol:

Have fun and don't hurry!

Sharksbaja - 1-27-2008 at 05:12 PM

Tis true, the road does have a few stretches which will strain at even the most comfortable driver. In places your tires, and especially big tires, tend to follow the natural path or pavement. That means your are always correcting and depending on your rig, it's steering setup and the response time, you stay busy keeping all four tires on the road.
If your rig is big and/your wheelbase is large you don't have much room on either side of you. Sometimes it's just an inch or two between you, an oncoming truck and the edge of the road which drops off precipitiously in many places. It's good Al brought it up. First time is TRIP! Cuidadoso por favor!

CaboRon - 1-27-2008 at 05:36 PM

I agree with Al G and Sharksbaja,
Drive no further than El Rosario the first night and stay at Baja Cactus.
Second day drive to GN or even San Ignatio is not too bad. Stay at San Ignatio Springs Bed and Breakfast. Stay in a Yurt, float on the river for a day , stay a second night and in the morning after a great Canadian breakfast..... drive on down to Mulege or Loretto.

CaboRon

vgabndo - 1-27-2008 at 08:20 PM

This thread has me thinking about how we can be helpful here on Nomads, and we can tend to forget that many of us have a lot of experience on that road. I'm remembering trying to explain the lure of Baja to my friends after the first few years of traveling there. One of the things I remember saying was that just driving the road successfully was an accomplishment. It still is, although not so much as it was even 15 years ago. I've called it adventure travel with a white line. On the other hand...you don't get to call your trip an adventure if there is no uncertainty. KNOW your limits, take your time. If you need your headlights outside of town, you are taking an unnecessary risk especially for a "rookie"; in my judgement.

BornFisher - 1-27-2008 at 08:59 PM

The real Baja doesn`t start until you CROSS THAT BRIDGE (El Rosario)!!! Then the Baja Magic gets you, much less traffic, the terrain, the plant life, the pace, the mood, the planning, the schedule, the limits,........... it all changes after THAT BRIDGE!!!!!!

Hey chk this out

Sharksbaja - 1-27-2008 at 10:58 PM

When Hose A was a real "hoser" :lol:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=13321#pid1103...

See, nothing has changed.

[Edited on 1-28-2008 by Sharksbaja]

Close, but not quite

thebajarunner - 1-27-2008 at 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BornFisher
The real Baja doesn`t start until you CROSS THAT BRIDGE (El Rosario)!!! Then the Baja Magic gets you, much less traffic, the terrain, the plant life, the pace, the mood, the planning, the schedule, the limits,........... it all changes after THAT BRIDGE!!!!!!

The "real Baja" starts immediately after the last plowed field South of San Quintin. The rolling road down the dunes toward El Rosario is great fun!

And contrary to the above, my shoulders and knuckles ache all the way to San Quintin, then the relaxation floods across me and the drive is pure bliss from that point clear to Santa Rosallia.

El Jefe - 1-28-2008 at 06:25 AM

In a regular vehicle you will average 50 mph tops including minimal stops. That is moving right along. Obviously there are some faster straight stretches and curvy slow areas, but we have always averaged about 50. If your rig is a moho or you are pulling a trailer, 40-45 is more likely.

So just look at the map and figure how many miles between proposed stops and divide by 50. I'll bet you come out really close.

Another note; these days there is so much traffic on the road north of San Quintin that you may be hard pushed to average 50. Have fun!

David K - 1-28-2008 at 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by El Jefe
In a regular vehicle you will average 50 mph tops including minimal stops. That is moving right along. Obviously there are some faster straight stretches and curvy slow areas, but we have always averaged about 50. If your rig is a moho or you are pulling a trailer, 40-45 is more likely.

So just look at the map and figure how many miles between proposed stops and divide by 50. I'll bet you come out really close.

Another note; these days there is so much traffic on the road north of San Quintin that you may be hard pushed to average 50. Have fun!

This is right on, El Jefe!

As for where 'The Baja' really begins?.... Well, different places for different people:

1) Truly it begins at the border, where the sense of adventure starts... You know, like can you make it through Tijuana and Ensenada without getting shot or pulled over!

2) Where Hwy. 1 goes from a 'normal' width to 19' wide with no shoulder (Km. 0, south side of San Quintin/ Lazaro Card##as).

3) Where you first see boojum trees, south of the El Rosario river bridge... (most popular place for Baja to begin).

4) Whenever you leave the pavement!!! :bounce:

[Edited on 1-28-2008 by David K]

DianaT - 1-28-2008 at 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
When Hose A was a real "hoser" :lol:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=13321#pid1103...

See, nothing has changed.

[Edited on 1-28-2008 by Sharksbaja]

Laughed when I read just a little of that thread---we at times drive too fast---no traffic down middle of road, but we both have been known to stop on some curves---try to time them to not meet the truck coming the other way at the wrong time, but if we do, we make sure he gets by. Have had too many drag their trailer around the curve.

We love getting past El Rosario on that first day. Even with stopping to shop in Ensenada, food stop, and doggie stops, we have little trouble making Catavina and we don't cross the border that early.

We don't keep close track of time nor miles, but on one trip I did write down a few times---these of course vary ALOT from driver to driver. Also, we ALWAYS stop more, so the times are longer

Border to San Vicente
where we eat if we don't shop in Ensenada ------3 hours
San Vicente to El Rosario 2 1/2
El Rosario to Catavina 1 1/2
Catavina to Guerrero Negro 2 1/2

Getting past the bridge beyond El Rosario always brings a smile to our faces.

Diane

Acuity - 1-28-2008 at 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by El Jefe
In a regular vehicle you will average 50 mph tops including minimal stops.

My math skills must be challenged. If the speed limit is at most 80kmh (50mph) and often less
(in towns), how do you average 50mph?? :lol:

Al G - 1-28-2008 at 10:02 AM

Without regard of life or limb... :lol:

805gregg - 1-28-2008 at 10:22 AM

In August crossed at Tecate at 7:30 am pulled into GN at 4:30 pm.

Hook - 1-28-2008 at 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Acuity

Quote:

Originally posted by El Jefe
In a regular vehicle you will average 50 mph tops including minimal stops.

My math skills must be challenged. If the speed limit is at most 80kmh (50mph) and often less
(in towns), how do you average 50mph?? :lol:

The speed limit is higher than that in many places; legal or practical.

Maybe one of the biggest dangers for a first timer is the distraction of the landscape from San Quintin south. And that, coincidentally, is where the pavement narrows and often leaves no margin for error.