BajaNomad

Driving to Ensenada from LA at night

wcasiano - 6-30-2009 at 09:20 PM

Hi,
We have driven to Ensenada at night many times for many years. We have 3 small children who sleep he whole way so driving is substanially easier. However, things being how they are over there, is it still safe to drive eventhough we will be using the toll roads and caravaning? Also, we drive a 2004 suburban and they drive a honda ridgeline....are those cars considered too flashy?!? I've heard many stories about the dangers of driving at night but are those only for secluded roads or does this also include their main highway (the toll road)?

Thanks,
Wendy

paul r - 6-30-2009 at 10:20 PM

wendy... daytime!...

fishbuck - 6-30-2009 at 11:01 PM

I think the Mexican Hiway patrols guys quit at like 10pm. After that, your on you own.

El Comadante Loco - 6-30-2009 at 11:43 PM

I have been driving baja since the 1960's and I have always had a common sense rule DO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT.. and this was way before all the problems.. For the sake of your kids drive during the day... you will be safe...
Keep in mind that many of the assaults have occurred on the toll road at night...

DENNIS - 7-1-2009 at 06:02 AM

Nights are for partys....not driving in Mexico.

woody with a view - 7-1-2009 at 06:16 AM

okay, i'll poke my head up for this one.

the days (and nights) of toll road assaults are like, 2 years old now. the toll road is in the best shape it's ever been in (watch out for the road work around k55?) and it's only 1.5 hours from the border. keep together - like bumper to bumper, safety in numbers if it helps soothe the psyciiii.....

as long as you know your route i wouldn't think twice about it. now if we're talking the desert regions, no i wouldn't do it. we always time our trips so that we're climbing through the hills past maneadero around sun-up.

CaboRon - 7-1-2009 at 06:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Nights are for partys....not driving in Mexico.


Many drunk drivers ......

woody with a view - 7-1-2009 at 06:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Nights are for partys....not driving in Mexico.


Many drunk drivers ......


can be said about anywhere, at anytime of the day.

rpleger - 7-1-2009 at 06:35 AM

woody in ob is right on...It´s as safe as driving anywhere in the Homeland at night...just be careful...Have a great time in Mexico...

BooJumMan - 7-1-2009 at 06:41 AM

Heh, rule is never to drive at night in Baja, but, I always do. Since the violence though, I've changed my rule. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Just use your own common sense I guess!?

Personally I'd wait till day.

Lee - 7-1-2009 at 07:14 AM

No amount of convenience is worth putting yourself and the kids at risk. Even if the odds were in your favor and nothing had been reported recently on that road, no one would be at blame except you if there were a problem.

Listen to your intuition. Don't take unnecessary risks in Baja.

DENNIS - 7-1-2009 at 07:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
can be said about anywhere, at anytime of the day.



Well, what is one to do when he's too drunk to walk?

k-rico - 7-1-2009 at 07:38 AM

I often drive from San Diego to where I live in Playas de Tijuana after dark. My biggest concern is the potholes on the highway along the border. There are some big ones now and they are tough to see at night. The right lane is the best.

I also drive occasionally from playas to Ensenada and back on weekend nights. I'm not worried about anything, except the ordinary stuff.

It's heads up driving though, lots of high speed drivers, especially after midnight on weekends. And there are always a few cars on their last legs going half the speed limit that you don't see in the states. They're probably the most dangerous aspect of night driving.

Road hazards and accidents are more likely to be a problem than anything else. It's good to be concerned, especially with kids in the car, just remember what the most likely problems are.

astrobaja - 7-1-2009 at 07:41 AM

Hi Wendy,

Welcome to the forum! Driving is the most dangerous daily activity we do as so called modern human beings, nighttime driving increases the risk no matter which country it takes place in. The drive to just Ensenada I myself would'nt think twice about a nighttime trip, its a piece of cake.
South of Ensenada its another story, just cause its so windy and mountainous. Try not to cave in to the "fears" about Mexico which seem so prevelant in present day America, I find Mexico a breath of fresh air to live in!

cheers

Mike

[Edited on 7-1-2009 by astrobaja]

tripledigitken - 7-1-2009 at 08:15 AM

Wendy,

I used to drive that stretch at night every trip south......until 2 years ago. I don't do it anymore and that would be my advice to you, your family and friends. This has been discussed here frequently over the last several years and the consensus is to cross the border at daybreak.

Have a great trip.

Ken

Mike99km - 7-1-2009 at 08:18 AM

I do it with my family at least once a mouth. No your cars are not flashy. Go have a good time. :yes:

bajasammy - 7-1-2009 at 08:19 AM

Hi Wendy!

We make that trip several times a year without incident. Have a great time!

GregN - 7-1-2009 at 08:29 AM

Don't drive at night in Baja. Period. The hazards are manifold: drunks, animals, pedestrians, rocks and debris, etc. Add drug traffickers, thieves, and pseudo cops and you're risking a lot for a little time.

mtgoat666 - 7-1-2009 at 08:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by wcasiano
Hi,
We have driven to Ensenada at night many times for many years. We have 3 small children who sleep he whole way so driving is substanially easier. However, things being how they are over there, is it still safe to drive eventhough we will be using the toll roads and caravaning? Also, we drive a 2004 suburban and they drive a honda ridgeline....are those cars considered too flashy?!? I've heard many stories about the dangers of driving at night but are those only for secluded roads or does this also include their main highway (the toll road)?

Thanks,
Wendy


i used to drive at nite. no more. why risk being robbed, hijacked or murdered? just because highway assaults have been out of the news for a few months doesn't mean it is safe. high crime rate against foreigners all over north baja is indication that people are still plotting crimes against gringos,... doesn't make sense to make youself an easy target

[Edited on 7-1-2009 by mtgoat666]

rpleger - 7-1-2009 at 09:01 AM

You do what you want, but driving at night in Los Angles is as dangerous as the pay road to Ensenada at night.....below Ensenada is real Baja and its a good thing not to drive at night...Have a good time in Ensenada...

k-rico - 7-1-2009 at 09:07 AM

Goat,

"high crime rate against foreigners all over north baja is indication that people are still plotting crimes against gringos"

I'm doubting your word here, set me straight, how about some examples.

mtgoat666 - 7-1-2009 at 09:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
Goat,

"high crime rate against foreigners all over north baja is indication that people are still plotting crimes against gringos"

I'm doubting your word here, set me straight, how about some examples.


read the newspapers. i don't have time to read them to you.

Playing the Odds

MrBillM - 7-1-2009 at 09:50 AM

Given the incidence of Robberies and Murder, the odds are heavily in your favor making a night-time trip.

AND, if not, look on the Bright Side. Any Terror and Pain will be Shortlived. You're likely to die within minutes of the attack so it isn't something to get shook up over.

Buen Viaje.

[Edited on 7-1-2009 by MrBillM]

GeoRock - 7-1-2009 at 10:01 AM

I've driven that toll road three times at night in the last 4 months and I felt safe. My husband was a bucket of nerves, because he listens to all the people with giant fears north of the border.

I'm not saying whether he is right or I am right. Just stating our experience. The toll section is an easy road to drive.

I wonder, given how many cars drive it, what is the actual percentage of crime on that section?

I don't think anyone can say whether it is going to be safe or not for your group. All we can each do is give our own opinion and experience record. Then you need to decide for yourself.

I drive a yellow Hummer H2. That is far more flashy then your cars. I drive the road at night. I do try to time it to drive it during daytime hours, but that doesn't always work out.

If you have a choice of driving at night, or getting up and going at daybreak, and it makes no significant difference for your vacation timing, I would choose daybreak.

bajaguy - 7-1-2009 at 10:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666

read the newspapers. i don't have time to read them to you.






And we all know that the newspapers have all of the correct information.....:?:

Actually...

Dave - 7-1-2009 at 10:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by fishbuck
I think the Mexican Hiway patrols guys quit at like 10pm. After that, your on you own.


You will see greater patrol presence at night than during the day. Prepare to be checked at every toll booth as well as at a military checkpoint at the Rosarito toll plaza southbound. Your biggest threat would be a breakdown but if you caravan you'll be fine.

I travel the cuota alone, often late at night and have experienced zero problems.

tripledigitken - 7-1-2009 at 10:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave


You will see greater patrol presence at night than during the day.


Maybe a reason for that?

Ken

Duh!!!

Dave - 7-1-2009 at 10:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken

Maybe a reason for that?

Ken


Roaches prefer the dark.

tripledigitken - 7-1-2009 at 11:15 AM

Dave,

Exactly the point, why drive out there with the roaches if you don't have to.:yes:

Ken

pwrslider - 7-1-2009 at 11:25 AM

Wendy..

I posted a similar thread a couple of days ago......with very different posts....

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=39610

DENNIS - 7-1-2009 at 02:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by pwrslider
Wendy..

I posted a similar thread a couple of days ago......with very different posts....

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=39610



Escoosame PWRSLIDER...But, I didn't see your question about nite-driving here.
---------------------------
pwrslider

Newbie




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Posts: 8
Registered: 6-25-2009
Member Is Offline


posted on 6-29-2009 at 02:19 PM

Driving to Cabo and back....help



What better way for a noob to interject himself into a board and ask a question that's probably been answered 1000's of times.... but here goes ( as I put on my flame retardant suit...)

I am planning on driving from SF to Cabo and back late July to mid August...bringin kids and dog with me. ( yes..I have kid passports and will get the health cert. for the dog.)

In recent weeks...I've been flooded with Travel Alerts from a bunch of different agencies advising not to travel to Baja due to increased cartel shoot-outs, corrupt police and bandits on the highway looking to car-jack. I live in Oakland and am well aware of the effect of negative press...( issues in a small area do not make the entire area a war zone...).

I've driven this route in the mid 90's and had a GREAT time...but without kids..and in a beat up ole pick up truck. This trip will be in a fairly new GMC Denali.

Here's the question:
1. Is it still safe to make the drive?
2. Would it be wiser to go thru Tecate than TJ?
3. At what point is it safe to breathe...San Ignatious....or beyond?

We are staying at a family owned condo just outside of Cabo..

Any help would be great..especially by someone who has recently made the trip....and yes...I will be purusing the road and ride reports shortly.

I am thinking that all this press has only done one thing...and that is to reduce the amount of tourists driving down.....and I don't think violence is an issue...but would love to hear from those that know.

thanks!

nbacc - 7-1-2009 at 02:24 PM

Don't drive at night in Mexico! nancy

dtbushpilot - 7-1-2009 at 03:38 PM

As a rule I try not to drive at night in Baja. The main reasons are the dangerous road and the possibility of livestock on the highway not criminals or swine flu. I wouldn't be any more worried driving between TJ and Ensenada than LA and San Diego at night.

RD55 - 7-2-2009 at 09:39 AM

Don't Shoot the Messenger!

5-26-09 El Vigía article (in Spanish)
Attempt to hijack semi with computer equipment on Hwy 1 near Bajamar.

5-29-09 El Vigía article (in Spanish)
Quote:
On (May 24, 2009), the heavy vehicle was traveling on the Tijuana-Ensenada toll road and several vehicles cut it off, forcing the driver and co-driver to stop.


=================================
5-7-09 AFN Tijuana article (in Spanish)
The article states that three tourists from San Diego were robbed at gunpoint in the afternoon on Thursday, May 7, 2009 while they were buying curios at Foxploration Studios in Rosarito Beach. The robbers took the keys to the tourists' F150 and were last seen fleeing on the Boulevard 2000.

=================================
Both of these were in the daytime. The second one wasn't on the toll road, just close by.

As far as whether it's better to travel at night or during the day, I don't have anything to add to what's already been said.

[Edited on 7-2-2009 by RD55]

blah, blah, blah - imean, stay home. they're killing everyone everywhere...

woody with a view - 7-2-2009 at 09:46 AM

1 killed, 4 hurt in Simi Valley shooting

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-simi-shoot2-2009jul0...

Rescuers were delayed about an hour in their efforts to treat the wounded because the gunman was still inside. The suspect eventually surrendered.
By Ruben Vives
July 2, 2009
One person was killed and four others were wounded in a shooting Wednesday at a dental office in Simi Valley.

Paramedics and firefighters were delayed by about an hour in their attempts to treat the wounded because the gunman was still inside when they responded to the report of a shooting about 10:30 a.m. at Family Dental Care, said Bill Nash, a spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department.

The suspected shooter later surrendered at the scene and was under interrogation, said Sgt. Adam Darough of the Simi Valley Police Department. The man's appearance before a judge and possible charges were pending the results of the interview, Darough said.

Four people were taken to hospitals with minor to moderate injuries, and a fifth was pronounced dead at a hospital, Nash said.

Across the street from the shooting, Brenda Sharma, 48, said she was sitting behind the counter at Venture Liquors on Sinaloa Road when she heard a siren.

Sharma said she saw an officer get out of the cruiser and draw her gun. "Next thing you know, there's 25 cops, then a SWAT team," she said.

An employee of the dental clinic who was shopping at the liquor store saw the emergency vehicles arrive and called a co-worker inside the office. The colleague said she and another employee had locked themselves in a room to escape the shooter.

Others in the area took refuge in the store while the gunman remained inside the clinic until police advised the shop to close.

"They told me I was in the line of fire," Sharma said.

steve5555 - 7-9-2009 at 09:00 PM

My family goes down to southern baja every summer. I like to cross the San Diego border at 0430 in the morning. I am then leaving Ensenada at 6am or so. No traffic, no livestock on that section. In fact traffic is light till 0800 or so.

I figure the banditos/drunks are sleeping by that time. I know this is not exactly what you asked but it is what I do.