BajaNomad - Tecate versus Tijuana

Tecate versus Tijuana

cpg - 5-5-2008 at 07:19 PM

Approx. what is the time difference heading south from Tecate to the intersection of hwy 3 and hwy1 in Ensenada versus Tijuana taking the toll road to where highway 3 intersects 1?

Thank you

David K - 5-5-2008 at 07:24 PM

Depends if you get behind slow vehicles and semis... as it is only a 2 lane road with LOTS of curves... I would add 30 min. to an hour, plus the extra hour to drive all the way east to Tecate from San Diego! The distance from the border is about the same to Ensenada.

Frankly, I would only come NORTH through Tecate for less border traffic, unless I lived in Alpine or Campo (East San Diego County).

vandenberg - 5-5-2008 at 07:24 PM

Half hour to an hour more, depending on traffic.
Just saw David's post and he's correct. If you're coming from Livermore, it's a lot easier through TJ.
Going north however I haven't gone through TJ in years. Always Tecate even after everybody discovered it. :biggrin:

[Edited on 5-6-2008 by vandenberg]

Diver - 5-5-2008 at 07:26 PM

Probably about 45 minutes longer but you save 15 minutes by not having to get through TJ.
The road is very scenic but just 2 lanes with some curves and a few rough spots in the road.

DENNIS - 5-5-2008 at 07:28 PM

Not much of a difference at all. Depends on the wait at the toll gates on 1. Dont have them on 3.

cpg - 5-5-2008 at 07:34 PM

I have tinted windows and am worried about getting pulled over for them.

http://www.10news.com/news/15974561/detail.html

I would like to head south on 1 and north on 3 the last few times crossing at TJ was over 3 hours.

Thanks for all the replies

DENNIS - 5-5-2008 at 07:38 PM

Dont worry about your windows. Enjoy your trip.

805gregg - 5-5-2008 at 07:41 PM

You should figure the distance from junction of 5 and 8 fwy in San Diego, (thats where you turn off to Tecate). It's real close like, 39 m to Tecate, 65 miles to Ensenada, 20 m to TJ, 70 miles to Ensenada. Nicer drive from Tecate.

DENNIS - 5-5-2008 at 07:48 PM

Well, there you are. A difference of five miles from the gate to the same point in Ensenada. How could that take from 30 minutes to an hour more.

fishbuck - 5-5-2008 at 08:19 PM

This is a little off topic but I crossed at Otay yesterday. The Garita was backed up and I guess it took an hour. I can only imagine what it was like at the San Ysidro gate.
If you want to take BVLD2000 you need to get off the toll road at Puerto Nuevo. I got all the way to the Rosirito toll gate and had to make a risky median crossing so I could head south again.
But I made it.
I can see why BLVD2000 could be dangerous. You pass by 1000's of public housing units and lots of poor people.
I didn't have any problems.

marv sherrill - 5-5-2008 at 08:39 PM

Came back sunday at 11 Am through Otay - 5 min with a sentry pass - .... mute point for me

fishbuck - 5-5-2008 at 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by marv sherrill
Came back sunday at 11 Am through Otay - 5 min with a sentry pass - .... mute point for me

Otay Sentri looks the best forsure!

bajaguy - 5-5-2008 at 09:29 PM

Crossed at Otay this morning (Monday) at 7:30AM. 42 minute wait with SENTRI, regular lanes backed up to almost Industrial Blvd

David K - 5-6-2008 at 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Well, there you are. A difference of five miles from the gate to the same point in Ensenada. How could that take from 30 minutes to an hour more.

Dennis, a four lane highway is faster to drive than a two lane mountain road (with trucks to pass)...

DENNIS - 5-6-2008 at 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Dennis, a four lane highway is faster to drive than a two lane mountain road (with trucks to pass)...

You're right, David but, unless one hasen't got what it takes to go around a slow moving truck, it wont add a half hour to the trip. Also, the toll road is a radar zone these days and doing a hundred miles per hour is no longer a viable option.

DENNIS - 5-6-2008 at 08:03 AM

Sorry....I got those quote boxes all screwed up.

David K - 5-6-2008 at 08:26 AM

No worries... I do 100-110 on the toll road... KILOMETERS!

Seriously, driving from San Diego all the way east to Tecate (40 miles) just to then head south to Ensenada on a 2 lane road does not seem to be any kind of advantage in time. So my 30-60 min. additional time estimate does include the added 20 miles overall, the slower road, and maybe lunch at Mustafa's! :lol:

cpg - 5-6-2008 at 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
No worries... I do 100-110 on the toll road... KILOMETERS!

Seriously, driving from San Diego all the way east to Tecate (40 miles) just to then head south to Ensenada on a 2 lane road does not seem to be any kind of advantage in time. So my 30-60 min. additional time estimate does include the added 20 miles overall, the slower road, and maybe lunch at Mustafa's! :lol:

That would be better then having a cop in TJ telling me I have to scrape 7 windows of tint off or he will impound my cruiser. This seems like a great law for getting bribe money from tourist.

David K - 5-6-2008 at 08:42 AM

Where did you hear this? IF it is legal in the U.S. (is it?), then your U.S. vehicle is legal in Baja. Tecate has cops too, by the way.

Have a fun time, and tinted windows will be the least of your worries if you have a run in with local cops!

cpg - 5-6-2008 at 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Where did you hear this? IF it is legal in the U.S. (is it?), then your U.S. vehicle is legal in Baja. Tecate has cops too, by the way.

Have a fun time, and tinted windows will be the least of your worries if you have a run in with local cops!

As of May 3rd.

Read this and listen to the video

http://www.10news.com/news/15974561/detail.html

[Edited on 5-6-2008 by cpg]

[Edited on 5-6-2008 by cpg]

Hard to see in my windows in certain lighting and I really do not want to scrape it all off.

[Edited on 5-6-2008 by cpg]

rts551 - 5-6-2008 at 09:10 AM

CPG

Interesting. could you roll your windows down while in TJ?

cpg - 5-6-2008 at 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
CPG

Interesting. could you roll your windows down while in TJ?

That's what I was thinking but it would sure suck to get pulled over because of the back window tint. Then have a cop hassle you over the other windows. I always try to go by the rules down there to many times hassled doing everything correct. This is a pretty vague law. Maybe the would not pull you over on the toll road since only the federal police can pull you over there?

cpg - 5-6-2008 at 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano

Quote:

Originally posted by cpg
Approx. what is the time difference heading south from Tecate to the intersection of hwy 3 and hwy1 in Ensenada versus Tijuana taking the toll road to where highway 3 intersects 1?

Thank you

cpg.. y'know, I should know that information, but I have never ran those routes on the clock...so I will do just that later this week and post the results for you.

As noted by 805gregg's post, I'll start the clock (and note the mileage also) from I-5/I-8 to Tecate..and then the same from Tecate to Mex. Hwy #1 and #3 at Ensenada.

A leettle off-topic, but I have driven both routes many, many times, and have always preferred the fragrance of olives and grapes over raw sewage and industrial pollutants...no matter how much extra time is involved.

Thank you! Anything to watch out for on that route? Speed traps or such? Sounds like you like that way better.

Pompano - 5-6-2008 at 10:01 AM

cpg...No, I have never had any problems on the Tecate-
Ensenada route with speed traps and such, but mostly I am dragging some cargo behind me so I'm among the slowest out there. Even when not trailering however, I have had zero problems with traffic, speed limits, etc. I have taken this route for over 30 years so it is very familar to me.

All things considered in comparing both routes, I choose to take Hwy 3 both north and south. Good luck and good travels. Look for my follow-up post in 4 or 5 days.

bajaguy - 5-6-2008 at 10:14 AM

Quote:

David....wrong answer. In "MOST" states in the good old US of A there is reprocity on many, if not all, vehicle equipment laws/regulations. Baja is in another country. I doubt there is a motor vehicle compact between Mexico and the United or Singular states of America.

DENNIS - 5-6-2008 at 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

David....wrong answer. In "MOST" states in the good old US of A there is reprocity on many, if not all, vehicle equipment laws/regulations. Baja is in another country. I doubt there is a motor vehicle compact between Mexico and the United or Singular states of America.

It's always been the unwritten rule that, "If it's illegal in California, It's illegal in Baja." Police have told me that. What else can you go by since nobody seems to know what the law may truly be. Mexican law seems to be interpreted on the streets. That fact shouldn't be new to anybody here.

One thing though....If I were a policeman in TJ, I would be seriously concerned about tinted windows and what kind of scum is sitting behind them. Can't fault them for that.

Hook - 5-6-2008 at 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 805gregg
You should figure the distance from junction of 5 and 8 fwy in San Diego, (thats where you turn off to Tecate). It's real close like, 39 m to Tecate, 65 miles to Ensenada, 20 m to TJ, 70 miles to Ensenada. Nicer drive from Tecate.

Not sure about your math, Dennis, assuming 805 gregg's figures are correct. Looks to be about 14 miles difference.

And I am incredulous that it is only 65 miles from Tecate to Ensenada. Is that measured where Hwy 3 comes into Hwy 1 north of Ensenada? If so, you would need to add the difference from there to, say, Anthony's. :spingrin:

Pretty sure the 70 mile distance from TJ to Ensenada is correct and would approximate a point in Ensenada around Anthony's.

[Edited on 5-6-2008 by Hook]

DENNIS - 5-6-2008 at 12:11 PM

Quote:

I was just responding to the original question, not moving the starting point to San Diego.

DianaT - 5-6-2008 at 12:39 PM

We cross going south at San Ysidro, but almost ALWAYS come back through Tecate and our other home is in Imperial Beach---a stones throw from San Ysidro.

It takes us about 20 minutes longer to get to Tecate, but it is a beautiful drive. It then takes us 30 to 40 minutes to get back to Imperial Beach. But when we cross in the middle of the day at Tecate, the longest it has taken us is 10 minutes and it is usually 5 minutes.

We would much rather be driving than sitting in that awful line in San Ysidro. :yes:

Diane

[Edited on 5-6-2008 by jdtrotter]

Hook - 5-6-2008 at 03:30 PM

Just used Mapsource and 65 miles from Tecate to Ensenada proper looks to be correct.

tripledigitken - 5-6-2008 at 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Is that measured where Hwy 3 comes into Hwy 1 north of Ensenada? If so, you would need to add the difference from there to, say, Anthony's. :spingrin:

Not sure where Anthony's is. Is it a restaurant? Care to review it for us? Seems I remember another Nomad talking about it, just can't remember any details. :smug:

Ken

DENNIS - 5-6-2008 at 03:56 PM

Where is Big John when you need him.

mtgoat666 - 5-6-2008 at 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cpg
I have tinted windows and am worried about getting pulled over for them.

http://www.10news.com/news/15974561/detail.html

I would like to head south on 1 and north on 3 the last few times crossing at TJ was over 3 hours.

Thanks for all the replies

tinted windows are illegal in CA too, just rarely enforced (usually only eforced when cop is in a bad mood)

oxxo - 5-6-2008 at 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
tinted windows are illegal in CA too,

Yes and no. In California it is illegal to tint front windshield, driver front and passenger front. All other windows are legal.

David K - 5-6-2008 at 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

You are reading my reply opposite of the way I was trying to write it... This guy, with his tinted windows, is from the USA and obviously, he is not getting busted here. So, it must be legal tinting (all windows except those for the front seats can be tinted darker than factory tint)... and if it is legal for California... no way does it violate Mexican law... is my thinking. I mean, have you seen some of the vehicles in Mexico with tinting, decorations obstructing the view, lack of mufflers, etc.??

Also, this is not a car being registered in Mexico... just a tourist driving through. People who visit California from Arizona don't have to add their front license plates when they come here on vacation (front plates are required in CA, but not in AZ).