BajaNomad

What is the best day/days to drive Baja?

Howard - 9-1-2011 at 05:13 AM

I have drove many times, passenger car and my RV, from crossing the border at Tijuana to Loreto and to La Paz. I really have never paid attention on what days of the weeks I have done this, as I have been a slave to whatever my work schedule has allowed. Now that I am nearing retirement in the next month or so I now have the freedom to travel any days of the week I want to.

For you seasoned travelers, if you had your choice, would you travel over the weekends or weekdays? I know both have pros and cons, such as fewer trucks on the weekends but more families, but what have been your experiences?

Weekdays or weekends?

gnukid - 9-1-2011 at 05:17 AM

Tuesday, starting early.

Marc - 9-1-2011 at 06:29 AM

I don't pay attention going south and after SQ the traffic is always light.
The return at TJ is always a problem for me. I think early on a weekend with reduced commute traffic is best. My problem has been getting to the border early enough driving from Ensenada.

paranewbi - 9-1-2011 at 06:38 AM

Forget the conditions at anytime!
Theres nothing better than driving past all those going to work especially when your suppose to be part of that crowd! I vote weekdays!
From San Diego - do the paperwork at the border an hour or so before sunrise - proceed directly onto the borderfence road to playa/toll - drink last swallow of porta coffee as sun warms the drivers seat and Ensenada comes into view.
Doesn't matter who you are surrounded by as they go to work...your not
AND YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO BAJA!
48 years and never had a problem doing it this way...

SFandH - 9-1-2011 at 06:41 AM

Getting through the heavily populated areas is easier on Sunday and holiday (Mexican) mornings. I drove from San Diego to San Quintin one Christmas morning and the roads were almost empty.

woody with a view - 9-1-2011 at 06:52 AM

today at 10am. i'll wave when i pass you.

Marinero - 9-1-2011 at 07:31 AM

I have always heard that the shift changes at the Mexican border are at 6:00am. When I had trailerloads of stuff I always hit the border at 5:45. Only asked to open the trailer once. Brief look, waved on. Other times, just waved through. Oh, and once nobody was in the declare area so I moved the barrier myself and drove on. (Didn't stop to move it back):spingrin:

DavidE - 9-1-2011 at 07:34 AM

Too many drunks driving on weekends

Two things I like to say

mcfez - 9-1-2011 at 07:37 AM

"Now that I am nearing retirement in the next month or so I now have the freedom to travel any days of the week I want to."

Congratulation!
You lucky dog!

[Edited on 9-1-2011 by mcfez]

latina - 9-1-2011 at 07:38 AM

We have always avoided Saturday afternoons and Sundays because it seems there's way more erratic (drunk) drivers on the highways close to towns on those days... But nowadays with all of the big box stores south, the truck traffic is relentless all days and that's worse for an RV, so it could be a case of 6 of one, or a half dozen of the other.... Safe travels!

LaTijereta - 9-1-2011 at 07:41 AM

I like crossing going South "early" Friday/ Saturday mornings heading to Loreto.. Nice to be on the hwy when repair services are open if needed.. If stopping in Ensenada for shopping, allow for an overnight on the hwy..

From Loreto going North.. Drive up on Tuesday - Thursday, getting to the border between 6-8pm to cross.. The lines are shorter..(last time at Tecate = 2 cars in front of me at 6pm)
:cool:

DENNIS - 9-1-2011 at 07:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
Too many drunks driving on weekends


That's not near as bad as the young ladies driving to school. They are uncivilized.
Anyway...Wednesdays are the best because everything in Baja is half price......gas, food, motels, Anthony's....everything.

mtgoat666 - 9-1-2011 at 08:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Howard
I have drove many times, passenger car and my RV, from crossing the border at Tijuana to Loreto and to La Paz. I really have never paid attention on what days of the weeks I have done this, as I have been a slave to whatever my work schedule has allowed. Now that I am nearing retirement in the next month or so I now have the freedom to travel any days of the week I want to.

For you seasoned travelers, if you had your choice, would you travel over the weekends or weekdays? I know both have pros and cons, such as fewer trucks on the weekends but more families, but what have been your experiences?

Weekdays or weekends?


fall and winter are best! summer sucks!

avoid holiday travel days, and avoid xmas and easter week!

I guess Wednesday is the answer!

Howard - 9-1-2011 at 08:09 AM

Dennis, thank you for your keen observation on helping me save money!

I appreciate all your feedback. I was referring to Southbound and finally I have received the answer I was looking for.

It has to be Southbound on Wednesday if Anthony's is 1/2 price. Seeing as I will be on a "fixed income." I need to save money wherever I can and what a better way to do that than save 50%. :bounce:

I am not sure if my Mother would be ashamed or proud.
:cool::bounce:

Curt63 - 9-1-2011 at 08:38 AM

Sun mornings for me.

Avoid the big SCORE races (Baja1000 and 500 like the plague. Easter week is a ?????? something I avoid

David K - 9-1-2011 at 08:42 AM

Crossing south into Mexico on Friday afterwork is not fun if you hate waiting and traffic. Saturday morning near noon is not much better.

But, the best day to go to Baja is the day you are going... whatever day that is!

dtbushpilot - 9-1-2011 at 09:13 AM

Heading South I prefer to leave very early Sunday morning, cross at SJ before daylight, grab a fresh cup of coffee and doughnut in Ensenada around daylight and try to get through San Quintin before the locals get out of the house. The farmworker busses and produce trucks don't seem to be a problem on Sunday and the drunks aren't out of bed yet. After SQ it's clear sailing, you can go as far as you like after that.

Coming back is a different story. It doesn't seem to matter when you return, driving through the SQ-TJ corridor is always a drag in the afternoon no matter what day you chose. We crossed at Tecate on Sunday at about 3pm last time and waited 1 1/2 hours in line, I crossed about the same time last Tuesday and drove right up to the gate, no line.....dt

Bob and Susan - 9-2-2011 at 03:15 AM

there are no REAL donuts in baja

bring your own...

take my word:yes::yes:

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 9-2-2011 at 12:20 PM

HOLA,

early sunday works for me especially when driving north or south through the san quintin area avoiding all the farming traffic. also seems to be lighter truck traffic from el rosario to guerrero negro in the mountains. traveling north, i cross at tecate on monday as sundays have been a bear for me.

in los barriles, i have been told to try and NOT drive friday and saturday evenings as the beer drinkers start around 5 pm or so.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

I Disagree About Doughnuts

Gypsy Jan - 9-2-2011 at 12:32 PM

Donas Tutti in Rosarito make great apple fritters (that's all the hubbie buys) and the rest of their offerings smell delicious and look good.

The baking kitchen and store is in central Rosarito next to the Tamale Inn restaurant and they have other stores up and down Benito Juarez Blvd.

Dave - 9-2-2011 at 12:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
there are no REAL donuts in baja

bring your own...

take my word:yes::yes:


There was a Mexican family retired down here from the States who opened a donut shop in Primo Tapia. The real deal. They lasted less than a year.

I'd be willing to bet you could find them in TJ, though.

Dave - 9-2-2011 at 01:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
Donas Tutti in Rosarito make great apple fritters (that's all the hubbie buys) and the rest of their offerings smell delicious and look good.


They're OK...a bit heavy, though.

The real problem is the flour. You need a high gluten flour to make good doughnuts. Not readily available down here.

BajaBlanca - 9-2-2011 at 01:35 PM

congrats on retiring soon, Howard !!!

my recommendation: test all the days and give us a trip report analyzing your findings .. are you up for it ?

we always spend the night in Ensenada on our way up and leave after breakfast to head north ... that way we don't mind the wait so much 'cause the belly is satisfied...coming south, once you are past san quintin - traffic is so light, it doesnt really matter what day it is ...

again - happy retirement coming up soon !

Doughnuts in Primo Tapia

Gypsy Jan - 9-2-2011 at 01:58 PM

Dave,

I remember that family, too. They were so nice.

The long haul truckers would stop in to fuel up on doughnuts and coffee, and, (trying not to feed into a stereotype, but this is true), the Rosarito police cars were always to be found out front.

In short, they always looked so busy, I don't know why they closed up.

EDITED - To add the fact that they donated all their leftovers to CRREAD, the drug rehab facility in Campito. We would go into Primo Tapia at the end of the day/next day to pick up and deliver the donation.

[Edited on 9-2-2011 by Gypsy Jan]