BajaNomad

(Updated) Road to San Felipe Conditions

ToBeInBaja - 3-12-2011 at 12:36 AM

*Update* Just got back from another trip stateside, and am happy to find that conditions on the road are very much improved, the detours are much more packed down, ruts are minimal, and things look much better maintained. Completely passable, made our usual time of 2 and a half hours, just take the construction zones slow and drive carefully!
:)

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Traveled the highway to San Felipe one week ago, and found construction on the road to be quite extensive at this time resulting in the following detours:

1st detour
1 mile long
Took us 5 minutes to get through

2nd detour
3 miles long
Took us 9 minutes to get through

3rd detour
1 mile long
Took us 8 minutes to get through.

There were some areas where the ruts were very bad. I would definitely not recommend anyone traveling the road very early in the morning, as it is very much torn up after the night, when the graders are not out to at least keep in somewhat in drivable shape.

The total trip took about 4.5 hours, counting construction and a bit of a line-up at the military stop with the extra traffic coming down for the weekend.

Just a little report for those of you heading down! Please drive safely and take your time through the detours!

[Edited on 3-18-2011 by ToBeInBaja]

David K - 3-12-2011 at 12:38 AM

Welcome to Nomad...

San Felipe is no doubt packed with race fans and participants for the annual SCORE San Felipe 250 off road race, Saturday morning.

[Edited on 3-12-2011 by David K]

bajasuzie - 3-12-2011 at 08:11 AM

We are heading down to SF next Sunday with a 30 ft toy hauler. What are the detours like? We don't want to do any dammage to our camper! Don't mind the slow go just a little over protective of our traveling home:)

nbacc - 3-12-2011 at 08:25 AM

4.5 hours from where to where?

Bajajorge - 3-12-2011 at 11:59 AM

The detour conditions change day to day. Starting Sunday 3/13/11 the race crowd headed north will make the trip a real circus.

David K - 3-12-2011 at 01:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by nbacc
4.5 hours from where to where?


Just a guess... but probably San Diego?

ToBeInBaja - 3-12-2011 at 07:10 PM

It was 4.5 hours from Mexicali to San Felipe. However, we were delayed at least a half an hour at the military stop, no problems there, just a line-up from all the race traffic, and we stopped for gas, so another 15 minutes there. However, going just seemed slow with the construction and traffic, and we took our time.

It's true, the conditions change every day, but it should be fine if you go in the middle of the day (at night the road maintenance crew is off duty, and so it gets some fairly serious ruts), and take your time going through. They do have a grader and water truck going during the day, so hopefully they keep it fairly well graded during the traffic rush, but you should be fine.

Will likely be going up again on Wednesday, and will post a fresh report then.

Hope this helps!

bajasuzie - 3-13-2011 at 10:11 AM

Thx ToBeInBaja! We should be fine..well just take it slow:) isn't going to keep us from coming down, that's for sure!

David K - 3-13-2011 at 10:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ToBeInBaja
It was 4.5 hours from Mexicali to San Felipe. However, we were delayed at least a half an hour at the military stop, no problems there, just a line-up from all the race traffic, and we stopped for gas, so another 15 minutes there. However, going just seemed slow with the construction and traffic, and we took our time.

It's true, the conditions change every day, but it should be fine if you go in the middle of the day (at night the road maintenance crew is off duty, and so it gets some fairly serious ruts), and take your time going through. They do have a grader and water truck going during the day, so hopefully they keep it fairly well graded during the traffic rush, but you should be fine.

Will likely be going up again on Wednesday, and will post a fresh report then.

Hope this helps!


Wow, that is typically a 2.5 hour drive from the U.S. border with military stop included... !

ToBeInBaja - 3-13-2011 at 12:43 PM

Yes, though it wasn't just the construction, there was a bit of traffic to contend with, lines at the military stop, a gas stop, and we were taking our time to drive safely, as the road was busier than normal. All in all though, we were very surprised it took quite so long. :S

Cisco - 3-13-2011 at 08:34 PM

Came up from Cinco Islas Thursday.

Detours are completely negotiable with any type trailer. Just make it a slow-go.

k50

mcfez - 3-18-2011 at 09:03 PM

From sfweb

mxlsfe road km60 031611.jpg - 32kB

mcfez - 3-21-2011 at 09:51 AM

May I get a current detail accounting of the road...by anyone that just traveled this in last few days? Thanks in advance.

Drove the road North

beercan - 3-21-2011 at 10:29 AM

on the 18th--- no problems . three detours still in place. 3&1/2 hours San Felipe to Yuma. not counting 1 & 1/2 hours in line at border -- couldn't use Sentri --had Grand kids with us .

mcfez - 3-21-2011 at 10:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by beercan
on the 18th--- no problems . three detours still in place. 3&1/2 hours San Felipe to Yuma. not counting 1 & 1/2 hours in line at border -- couldn't use Sentri --had Grand kids with us .


Thanks beercan.
it seems that no matter what country I am in....they are expecting me. They tear up the roads for my displeasure