BajaNomad - Cabo to Tijuana 5/2/08 road report

Cabo to Tijuana 5/2/08 road report

Trojan - 5-4-2008 at 08:55 AM

Just a quick report for you folks. My son, His friend, My 2 pitbulls and myself left Cabo at 5:30am Friday morning. My house is on the hill behind Home Depot. After a slow uneventful start thru Todos Santos we made it thru to Loreto by 11:30am.
Had breakfast and filled up with gas and and was off again by noon. Stop in Mulege at the sandbar for 30mins. to let the dogs play and do there stuff and was off again. We had a goal to get to El Rosario by dark or better. I feel comfortable driving at night from that point home. I was a little worried from a earlier post I read about some "Machete Wielding Banditos" north of San Ignacio and before Guerrero Negro but it was no worries. After a quick fill up in G.N we were off again. Stopped in Catavina for a few Hotdogs and kept rolling. Traffic was very minimal ALL day. Got to El Rosario at 7:00pm. Got gas on the way up the hill, Hit the Military Ck point and was off again this time in the dark, Sun was just setting at 7:30pm. Hit some traffic in San Quinten and was in Ensenada at 11:00 on Friday night. Dead as could be. Hit the toll road after a quick taco stop and was cruising at 70 by myself to Tijuana. Hit the boarder at 12:15. each line had like 20 cars in it
:spingrin:

Still took 45 mins to cross.
No gas problems anywhere, Glad to be back home for awhile though.

Trojan - 5-4-2008 at 09:25 AM

Yeah just me driving, I usually can go like 12-14hrs but this time I was ok, Sitting at the border I was getting sleepy.

vandenberg - 5-4-2008 at 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Trojan
Yeah just me driving, I usually can go like 12-14hrs but this time I was ok, Sitting at the border I was getting sleepy.

Have driven that road for 25 or more years.
This doesn't sound like a road report, but more of a proud statement of an insane accomplishment.
You must have some kind of a "deathwish".
Not impressed. :no:

David K - 5-4-2008 at 09:33 AM

18 hours and a thousand miles... and you won the Baja 1000!

Nice to hear you are safe! Thanks for the report!

Trojan - 5-4-2008 at 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg

Quote:

Originally posted by Trojan
Yeah just me driving, I usually can go like 12-14hrs but this time I was ok, Sitting at the border I was getting sleepy.

Whoa! Was'nt trying to impress, was averaging about 50 mph, Wasn't tired so I kept driving, My son,Dogs are my life and would never put them in harms way, Road was empty and we took advantage of it. Point of the post wasn't how fast I got home but how the road conditions were.

Trojan - 5-4-2008 at 10:05 AM

I slept for a whole day before leaving, like 20hrs sleep, My thinking was El Rosario before dark, If I was tired Id stay at Bobs place in El Rosario and leave in the morning. We got there at 7pm and I wasnt tired. I knew if I made it to San Quintin Id be home free in Ensenada and on the toll road. It worked out beautiful for us. I know others who have done it in 1 shot. I dont take drugs to stay awake, Although I did have a Monster drink in El Rosario. If I was nodding out at all we would have stopped. Im well aware of the dangers of driving while tired especially south of the border.
I simply wasn't tired untill we stopped at the border and sat for 45mins. Nevertheless the road conditions were ideal and the trip was safe. I was driving a Ford Expedition not a porsche. :yes:

vandenberg - 5-4-2008 at 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Trojan
I slept for a whole day before leaving, like 20hrs sleep

Can't sleep ahead of time.
That's a myth.
People like you is one of the reasons I stay off that road as much as possible and keeps the roadside cross makers in business.

Trojan - 5-4-2008 at 10:24 AM

Dude whatever, It was a road report nothing more. Not sure where you get your info about sleeping, I got home and slept tell this morning, Another 20 hrs. Ill bet you a Ballena I dont sleep tonight at all cuz Im all sleeped out. I wasnt tired end of story, If I was I would have stopped, end of story again. Dont try and make me out as irresponsible because there wasn't anything irresponsible done.
IF I WAS TIRED I WOULD HAVE STOPPED.

People like you make it so people like me wont post a Road Report.
Also people like me actually ck this site for road reports prior to getting on the road. I was simply giving back to the forum. let it go.

vandenberg - 5-4-2008 at 10:47 AM

Didn't read anything about road conditions, just the insane fact that you drove an insane amount of miles in one stretch.
In case you manage to get your cross somewhere on that highway, let's hope you didn't take some innocent people with you.

Bajaboy - 5-4-2008 at 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lencho

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
This doesn't sound like a road report, but more of a proud statement of an insane accomplishment.

For me to have done that would be irresponsible. To drive that highway requires pretty intense attention, and after 8 or 10 hours of that, I start to fry and can't sustain focus. Time to rest or die, perhaps taking others with me.

But I'm willing to entertain the concept that some people can stay on task for longer periods. Does anyone here manage to drive the whole Peninsula in one shot, and still maintain a margin of safety? I'd like to know how you keep from frying out...

--Larry

I make the drive from my house in San Diego to my place in Asuncion in one shot all the time. I stop for gas in El Rosario and again in Vizcaino. I pack my food and make an occasional restroom stop. On average the trip takes about 11 hours on the way south and 12-13 hours north. I've done it many times, know where to expect traffic, dangerous turns, and similar cautions.

Trojan sounds like an adult and I appreciate that he took the time to share his trip. The "deathwish" comments are not called for in my opinion.

Zac

Bob and Susan - 5-4-2008 at 12:55 PM

i can easily drive to the border from mulege in 12 hours

then...

another 3 north

i did every other week for 6 months

Gadget - 5-4-2008 at 01:29 PM

HEY TROJAN....welcome to the board bro.

Don't stop posting cause of the grumpies.

I used to be able to do the "ironman" when younger but can't now, and I'm just not in that much or a hurry any more.

Hopefully, and I think you can and will, recognize your limitations at a safe point before you meet them, if you know what I mean. Otherwise you become a statistic and the hope is a singular one. That concept I agree with the previous posts on.

If your trip report went something like, "I was drinking a redbull every 5 miles and still nodding at the wheel", then you would have deserved to be blasted.

The other guys are entitled to their opinions remember, and we all get to pile on you, or not, as we see fit.

I think you can handle it, right?

vandenberg - 5-4-2008 at 01:44 PM

Talk about comparing apples and oranges.......

Bajaboy,

From your Vizcaino turnoff it's still close to 600 miles to Cabo.

And Bob,

Over 450 miles from Mulege to Cabo. :no:

Udo - 5-4-2008 at 01:50 PM

There are many of us who travel the distances required when needed. However, now days with the drop in tourist traffic, and less trucks and busses traversing the highway, we can cover greater distances than a year ago.
My average from Big Bear Laake, CA. to Ignacio B&B is 12 hours. Leave at 4 a.m., stop for gas and oysters in San Quintin. Gas again in Guerrero Negro as well as a vampiro, then onto San Ignacio.
Not too much diferent than bajaboy as well as Bob & Susan. We are all experienced travelers on the peninsula, the sensible thing to do is to make a couple of food stops along the way.
One topic I have not seen covered yet is the very thorough military stop a few miles north of Guerrero Negro. That generally covers about 1-1/2 hours, trucks notwithstanding, who have their own line.

Capt. George - 5-4-2008 at 01:52 PM

I once did San Diego to Loreto in three hours, oops, that was on a plane!

sd - 5-4-2008 at 02:09 PM

udowinkler -

Your Military stop is unfortunate. My last drive was late 2007, and my maximum stop was 5 minutes.

Is this longer stop now normal?

Off topic, but welcome and I also look forward to your stories and pictures of your Baja travels. I can guess how much fun you have had over the years.

Udo - 5-4-2008 at 02:24 PM

My last trip to Baja, (the short trips to La Bufadora & Puerto Nuevo notwithstanding, which are every three weeks), the military personnel were talking about some kind of windshield sticker that is issued either going south at the stop near Santo Thomas, or northbound near Guerrero Negro. The purpose of which is curtail the unnecessary subsequent stops by designating that you have already been searched at the previous military checkpoints. Hopefully this will be implemented.

Thanks for your welcome comment, SD

vandenberg - 5-4-2008 at 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by udowinkler
My last trip to Baja, (the short trips to La Bufadora & Puerto Nuevo notwithstanding, which are every three weeks), the military personnel were talking about some kind of windshield sticker that is issued either going south at the stop near Santo Thomas, or northbound near Guerrero Negro. The purpose of which is curtail the unnecessary subsequent stops by designating that you have already been searched at the previous military checkpoints. Hopefully this will be implemented.

Thanks for your welcome comment, SD

So you take on the contraband anyplace north of the GN stop. :?:

,without the threat of being searched again. :?:

Sounds like sound Mexican logic. :biggrin:

They need dogs, dogs, dogs and more dogs.

oxxo - 5-4-2008 at 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Trojan
Stopped in Catavina for a few Hotdogs and kept rolling.

Thanks for the report. We do the trip from SoCal (3 hours from border crossing) to Cabo in 2 days, 4 round trips a year. We spend the night in GN. We have snacks in the car, Sirius radio and 2 drivers to trade off. We enjoy the trip and always enjoy the significant spots along the way (this is where the semi overturned, look there's the spot you fertilized the desert, remember this is where they were herding 30 cows down the road, there's Felix's shrine must have been driving the Tecate truck when he fell asleep, etc.)

Where can I get hot dogs in Catavina?

Barry A. - 5-4-2008 at 08:18 PM

To me it's not the miles that count, it is the intensity of your concentration on "that" road that wears me out.

The longest stint I ever put in on "that" road was the Bay of LA to the border in one push, and I thought I was going to die. And I drove for a living for some 20 years.

You marathon drivers are truly amazing!!! :?:

(and scary) :lol:

Barry

Trojan - 5-5-2008 at 09:40 AM

I totally understand where some of you are coming from, The road does take complete concentration, Cows, Pot holes, On coming traffic, Ck points, etc.
Normally I wouldn't do the whole trip in 1 day, on the way out 3 weeks ago I left at 4am from Orange County and was in Loreto at 6:30 and we stayed overnight.
Like I said I usually spend the night either at Bob's in El Rosario or at Rice/Beans in San Ignacio. I just wasn't tired this time and the road was almost empty. Its very tiresome to pass trucks or pay attention when the road has alot more traffic. Would I recommend this for anyone? Absolutely not. The fact is I was not tired or anything and it was light out. I average 50 mphs for the whole trip give or take a few areas where its straight miles. I appreciate folks concerns.
But lets try again, The road conditions were empty, the ck point were fine but they did search the vehicle at all of them and took my passport number down as well. Ensenada, Rosarito, Tijuana were dead. The border was 20 cars deep in all lines but it still took a hour to get thru. The roads were in great shape 97% of the time. New asphalt all over the place. I take advantage of straight runs and Im extremly cautious in the hills. Gas was plentiful at all stops.

Take Care.
Chris

Barry A. - 5-5-2008 at 09:47 AM

Chris---------aside from all the guff we have given you, I am sure that we ALL appreciate the "road report", and it is good to know that it is in real good shape.

I find it alarming, but not surprising, that you encountered so little traffic-----not a good sign for the tourist industry in Baja California.

Thanks again for the report, and just ignor us grouchy's. :lol:

barry

Trojan - 5-5-2008 at 11:21 AM

I attributed the dead roads and the lack of nightlife in Ensenada/Rosarito to the shootings and what not that happened a week ago. Another reason I kinda wanted to keep going and get out. With my Son and my Doggies being my life I was really motivated to get to the border.

tripledigitken - 5-5-2008 at 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Trojan
Another reason I kinda wanted to keep going and get out. With my Son and my Doggies being my life I was really motivated to get to the border.

Sounds to me you missed the best part of going to Baja, that is the journey itself. Glad you made it safely though. Why not just fly down in the future, if Cabo is your choice?

:?:

Trojan - 5-5-2008 at 01:54 PM

I wont put my dogs on the airplane triple, they would be devastated. Also everything is slow as **** in Mexico and we were trying to get some stuff finished on the house that ran overtime a few days. I got 4 house's in Orange COunty Im building and needed to be here Monday morn. Awake and ready to get work done. If I would have stayed in El PRosario friday night I would have spent all day Sat trying to get home. And 1 days rest would not have cut it for me. I luv the journey and the sights but this time I had to get home. I was mentally prepared and motivated so that probably also had something to do with the fact I wasn't tired or no aware. It is not my usual drive to Cabo, this was lets go and get'r done.

[Edited on 5-5-2008 by Hose A]

fishbuck - 5-5-2008 at 06:04 PM

I thought you hired a private jet for your dogs once. They didn't like it?

vgabndo - 5-5-2008 at 06:05 PM

In March the reten north of GN took as long as I've ever waited. No where near 1.5 hours, but they were putting a dog in many of the south-bound vehicles and really taking their time. I think the CO there is bucking for a promotion! :lol:

[Edited on 5-6-2008 by vgabndo]

fishbuck - 5-5-2008 at 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck
I thought you hired a private jet for your dogs once. They didn't like it?

"Also I plan on flying home on a chartered plane at the end of January with the 3 dogs"

Sharksbaja - 5-5-2008 at 06:51 PM

Wow Chris yas gots some real gumption! Hang in there!

Did you say you weren't rich?

Five houses and one in Cabo. Poor guy. :lol:

I'd still like to know how you are gonna rent that place.

End of cross-examination :bounce:

Sharksbaja - 5-5-2008 at 06:53 PM

Btw, awesome avatar. What's the Trojan name for.

David K - 5-5-2008 at 07:38 PM

If it's a comfortable vehicle... long drives are not that much hassle.

Many of you drive big mo-hos or trailers/ boats... at that needs extra concentration.

Baja Angel and I drove from Bahia Concepcion all the way home to Oceanside in one long drive... with stops at the Mulege mission, Rice and Beans for lunch in San Ignacio, checked out the old warf in Laguna Guerrero Negro, dinner as it got dark in El Rosario at Tacos Mision (stuffed baked potatoes), home at 2:30 am... Oh, I had a Monster drink at the roadside place north of Santo Tomas! We were in no hurry, just didn't have a reason to stop... Of course, driving the ultra comfortable but tough Toyota Tacoma made it possible!

Trojan... where is 'Bob's Place' in El Rosario?? Could you mean ED LUSK'S 'Baja's Best Bed & Breakfast'?

Antonio has the ultra nice, and cheap Baja Cactus Motel and Primo has the Sinahi Motel... and there's Mama Espinoza's Las Cabanas Motel...

Trojan - 5-5-2008 at 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck
I thought you hired a private jet for your dogs once. They didn't like it?

It never worked out, it was to expensive, 10k each way. If you know of a better deal Im all ears.

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
Btw, awesome avatar. What's the Trojan name for.

Thanks, It was my grandpas Liqueur business name. Now its the name of my Building Co. Trojan Builders. My house in Cabo's called Casa De Pirata.
Its decorated totally pirate style.

Heres the view from the house,

Quote:

Originally posted by David K Trojan... where is 'Bob's Place' in El Rosario?? Could you mean ED LUSK'S 'Baja's Best Bed & Breakfast'?

your absolutly correct, Im terrible with names as I only see them a few times a yr. But yeah Ed's place with the starbucks coffee, And now he's go a bar in there and no more abalone art. Hiss rentals are pretty sweet, so his goats.

CaboRon - 5-6-2008 at 06:42 AM

Trojan,

What a stunning view from your home in Cabo !

Welcome to the board, and thank's for the trip report...

CaboRon

Freebird - 6-13-2008 at 03:02 PM

Quote:

Fred - 6-13-2008 at 03:06 PM

I must be slow or enjoy the drive South with all the sights, because it takes me 4 weeks to drive from Tecate to Los Barriles.

Fred

don't be sore

Chamaco - 6-13-2008 at 08:24 PM

Don't be angry with me. Sometimes I drive from Ensenada to Maneadero with no stops. Oh i know, I am crazy you don't have to tell me......the voices do

Sharksbaja - 6-13-2008 at 09:02 PM

BAD NOMAD! I think driving across the LA basin is more hazardous then most of the drive down Baja.

People who are not alert should be off the road. I go far in a day. If I tell you more than that I'll be in big doo doo! :lol:

Its 1085 miles from TJ to Cabo.

How in the world can you make it from the border to Cabo in 18 hrs @ 50mph. That be only 900 miles without any stops and never driving below 50?

Hmmmmmm???? Very interesting! :wow:

ELINVESTIG8R - 6-13-2008 at 09:14 PM

You Elitist numbskulls make me want to vomit. Shut up and let the person tell his story without your holier than thou comments. You Sheeple who prostrate and kiss the Elitist rings make me want to vomit also with your similar comments as the numbskull Elitists.
Go to http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=31848 and vote.

ElFaro - 6-13-2008 at 09:48 PM

I don't have a problem at all with those who can avg. 50+ mi/hr driving a single vehicle through Baja covering long distances.

I have a real big problem with those who think they can do the same thing towing a trailer or boat or car !! Remember that report last year of the surfing group from Long Beach who thought they could just power down to Scorpion Bay at the same speed they powered down to the border from Long Bch. ? Ain't gonna happen...Remember how the lady in the van towing a utility trailer got behind a truck while the convoy was out ahead of the truck and she tried to pass the truck on the left side and ended up rolling the van with everyone getting thrown out?

Or how about Gringos who live in Baja full time, can't or won't even try to speak Spanish, who then are somewhat isolated. With nothing to do day in and day out (you can only fish so much and you can only go out in the wind and sun for so long) end up drinking or at least getting themselves a little "pickled" as the day begins. Who then try to get on the highway in this condition to run down to the local mercado for something. Hey...there are plenty of Mexicans who are drinking and driving both cars and trucks.

I take my time towing our trailer...good tires also make a substantial difference allowing the trailer to track behind the truck.

BajaGringo - 6-14-2008 at 01:18 AM

So...

You've heard of MADD?
Mothers Against Drunk Driving

We now have a new group - BEDDS!
That's right - Baja Elitists Dictating Driving Speed

So who is hosting the first chapter meeting???

I'll bring the cookies - you provide the Geritol...

[Edited on 6-14-2008 by BajaGringo]