BajaNomad - Quickest Route?

Quickest Route?

BajaGeoff - 5-20-2009 at 03:39 PM

What is the fastest way to get to San Felipe:

1. Tecate-Ensenada-San Felipe
2. Tecate-Mexicali-San Felipe

Thoughts?

David K - 5-20-2009 at 03:44 PM

Except on Friday afternoon: I-8-Calexico-San Felipe

Otherwise: 94-Tecate- Mexicali bipass (2-D)- San Felipe

BajaGeoff - 5-20-2009 at 04:11 PM

Any guess as to the time difference between 94-Tecate- Mexicali bipass (2-D)- San Felipe and Tecate-Ensenada-San Felipe?

BajaWarrior - 5-20-2009 at 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGeoff
Any guess as to the time difference between 94-Tecate- Mexicali bipass (2-D)- San Felipe and Tecate-Ensenada-San Felipe?

Geoff, we are traveling tomorrow from Tecate to south of Mexicali to San Felipe.

Really no comparison between the two highways as the road from Tecate to highway 5 is all newly paved. There is the windie (not windy) section but very well marked with excellent views of the desert. Once you make the descent it's go time. When you get just south of Highway 3 there is a 10 mile dirt road detour but it's pretty smooth as dirt roads go in Baja.

If you haven't been this way yet it's a must.

See ya in Baja...

edit for: really no comparison...meaning condition wise, time is faster going Tecate also...

[Edited on 5-21-2009 by BajaWarrior]

David K - 5-20-2009 at 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGeoff
Any guess as to the time difference between 94-Tecate- Mexicali bipass (2-D)- San Felipe and Tecate-Ensenada-San Felipe?

Using Hwy. 3 (both parts) will add 1-2 hours driving time... not counting going to Tecate from San Diego... then coming all the way back down to sea level at Ensenada (~70 miles)... then going back up the mountain to Ojos Negros and beyond... (~150 miles from Ensenada to San Felipe).

Hwy. 3 from Ensenada to San Felipe IS a beautiful drive and really fast once you get past Ojos Negros (the 20 miles of twisting road out of Ensenada)... So, you need to ask yourself, is it speed or beauty that chooses the road?

Why not go there on one route and come back on the other?

The route Chuck and I are taking this week is the fastest...

CortezBlue - 5-21-2009 at 05:41 AM

FYI
Came back from Mi Casa last Sunday and they were shooting RADAR between the Military checkpoint and La Ventana. I go about every 2 weeks and it seems the past several times I have started seeing more and more RADAR.
I wonder if Mexican Photo Radar is next!!

That is stupid, how could you pay a camera??

fdt - 5-21-2009 at 06:16 AM

Faster is Tecate - Mexicali - San Felipe.

BajaGeoff - 5-21-2009 at 11:17 AM

Gracias for all of the responses!

Photo-Radar Enforcement ?

MrBillM - 5-21-2009 at 03:42 PM

I would expect that the biggest problem with deploying traffic cameras in Mexico would be the likelihood that the cameras would be stolen.

thebajarunner - 5-21-2009 at 05:37 PM

I generally use my Passport detector when I am running on the Baja highway, but I suspect that whatever number the cop will show me has been glued on, regardless of my speed.

Fastest Way

Borregoman - 6-8-2009 at 12:05 PM

We own a casa in the campo's south of San Felipe. We were just there the entire week after Memorial Day....and visit our casa many times each year.
Each route previously described is different, but by far the quickest way is I-8, Calexico, San Felipe. With the bypass and other roadwork done in Mexicali, you cross the border hang a right a the first light and you are on a 4 lane highway in no time at all. The 4 lane highway extends some 23 miles south of Mexicali, then you are on two freshly paved lanes of highway before entering the construction of a new 4 lane highway being built north out of San Felipe. Right now there is 10 miles of dirt road (a diversion highway to the side of the new highway) that will slow you down to 25 or 30 mph before you get on the new pavement and head into town.
I live in Mission Viejo and my routine has been to leave as early in the morning as it takes to time your crossing at the Calexico border at around 6:30 or 7am, Mexicali is deserted and you are on your way with no traffice concerns.
The San Felipe website talks about the current road constuction going on north of town. http://www.sanfelipe.com.mx/getting_here/road.html

Take care,

Borregoman

Cypress - 6-8-2009 at 12:26 PM

Mexicali to San Felipe is a straight shot.

I'd just go to Calexico and head south.

BajaWarrior - 6-8-2009 at 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Borregoman
We own a casa in the campo's south of San Felipe. We were just there the entire week after Memorial Day....and visit our casa many times each year.
Each route previously described is different, but by far the quickest way is I-8, Calexico, San Felipe. With the bypass and other roadwork done in Mexicali, you cross the border hang a right a the first light and you are on a 4 lane highway in no time at all. The 4 lane highway extends some 23 miles south of Mexicali, then you are on two freshly paved lanes of highway before entering the construction of a new 4 lane highway being built north out of San Felipe. Right now there is 10 miles of dirt road (a diversion highway to the side of the new highway) that will slow you down to 25 or 30 mph before you get on the new pavement and head into town.
I live in Mission Viejo and my routine has been to leave as early in the morning as it takes to time your crossing at the Calexico border at around 6:30 or 7am, Mexicali is deserted and you are on your way with no traffice concerns.
The San Felipe website talks about the current road constuction going on north of town. http://www.sanfelipe.com.mx/getting_here/road.html

Take care,

Borregoman

Which border do you enter at? East or West?