BajaNomad - ?Latest Tecate to Ensenada Road Conditions?

?Latest Tecate to Ensenada Road Conditions?

tommix130 - 9-10-2011 at 02:46 PM

I know that we have been down this road before, (no pun intended), but what are the latest road conditions? I have heard differing reports, some say it is okay the others say take the coast route. Does anybody have the real scoop? Thank-you.

DENNIS - 9-10-2011 at 03:12 PM

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=55059

J.P. - 9-10-2011 at 06:29 PM

For 10 years prior to moving to Baja I crisscrossed the 48 states on a regular basis .In a 18 wheeler. since moving to Baja I have never Experinced a road any worse than the ones in the U.S. I travel hwy.3 on a monthly basic some times more than once some times its worse than others. The improvements that have been made thus far are Fantastic. for the last 4 years there have been short detours that were reasonably well maintained as to be found in any construction project. The toll road is the other option but its also a continueing construction project.

El Norte - 9-27-2011 at 08:02 AM

OK, I have read everything posted on this board about the road between Tecate and Ensenada (Mex3) but what are conditions like now. We plan to travel that way unless warned not to in 2 weeks with a heavy truck/camper and tow behind trailer. We have avoided it in the last 2 years by using mex 2 to blvd 2000 but prefer Mex 3 if the construction bypass is OK. Can anyone tell me the current condition of Mex 3 in that area , specifically relating to the construction remaining? Recent experience and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

zoesterone - 9-27-2011 at 08:09 AM

We came that way a bit over a week ago. Things can change here so quickly as work gets done almost over night, but here were 5 bypass areas of dirt and bumpy roads. The first one seemed the longest and the least "comfortable".
The others are not quite as long but pretty bumpy. Speed is quite curtailed as you could imagine. Was a big fat relief to be at the other end of it! '-)

DENNIS - 9-27-2011 at 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by zoesterone
Things can change here so quickly as work gets done almost over night,

Not laughing at you, Zoe. I just never imagined I'd ever see or hear anyone say that. I'm more used to the Mañanalandia take on things.

J.P. - 9-27-2011 at 12:28 PM

WE just traveled from Tecate to Ensenada Sunday Sep.25 arrived in Ensenada about 1pm. WE traveled in our MH with a TOW CAR the road was in very good shape experinced a couple short detours but nothing to complain about. :cool:

Bajahowodd - 9-27-2011 at 04:41 PM

Having made that trip just about a year ago, I must admit that I'm surprised that construction has not been completed. I realize that a fair amount of the right of way is over mountainous terrain, but I have, in the past, witnessed some very rapid highway improvements in Baja. Perhaps the prime example might be the toll road from SJD to San Jose that was specifically built in advance of a conference of world leaders held at Hacienda Del Mar a few years back. GWB was there. I think they built that road in about 6 months.

I suppose that for those going S/B, the finished project will be really great. On the other hand, when the project is complete, and word gets out, I really think that the border crossing at Tecate is going to be overwhelmed inasmuch as there are so few gates available.

rts551 - 9-27-2011 at 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Having made that trip just about a year ago, I must admit that I'm surprised that construction has not been completed. I realize that a fair amount of the right of way is over mountainous terrain, but I have, in the past, witnessed some very rapid highway improvements in Baja. Perhaps the prime example might be the toll road from SJD to San Jose that was specifically built in advance of a conference of world leaders held at Hacienda Del Mar a few years back. GWB was there. I think they built that road in about 6 months.

I suppose that for those going S/B, the finished project will be really great. On the other hand, when the project is complete, and word gets out, I really think that the border crossing at Tecate is going to be overwhelmed inasmuch as there are so few gates available.

Not only the gates but the city streets are ill equipped for any traffic.

Bugman - 10-6-2011 at 10:32 AM

Just got back from LA Bay on Tuesday afternoon and there is just a short stretch of construction shortly before Tecate but it did not result in any delays. We hit the border at around 12:30PM and only 1 car in front of us to cross. It does not get much faster! :cool:

David K - 10-6-2011 at 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bugman
Just got back from LA Bay on Tuesday afternoon and there is just a short stretch of construction shortly before Tecate but it did not result in any delays. We hit the border at around 12:30PM and only 1 car in front of us to cross. It does not get much faster! :cool:

On another site, more than one reported horrible conditions on Hwy. 1 (the road widening project nearing Santo Tomas was one)... Neither you nor Bajaboy made any mention... I am guessing not all that bad?

DENNIS - 10-6-2011 at 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
On another site, more than one reported horrible conditions on Hwy. 1 (the road widening project nearing Santo Tomas was one)... Neither you nor Bajaboy made any mention... I am guessing not all that bad?

Since the question was about HWY-3, I can understand the ommision of info about HWY-1.
I went through the zone on #1 not too long ago and it wasn't near done or good. Lots of dust and impatient drivers. It'll be that way for a while.

Bugman - 10-6-2011 at 05:19 PM

I only focused on the route to Tecate but you are correct in that there were three significant stretches of construction we had to deal with on 1. One stretch is just south of Maneadero and there are two more between Catavina and El rosario. They did cause some minor delays and were a bit confusing as they are poorly marked but I don't let stuff like that put a damper on my trip since it is expected in the first place. All part of the adventure...............

David K - 10-6-2011 at 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

I quoted bugman, so it was a sidebar question for him... because he said he just drove up from L.A. Bay.

DENNIS - 10-7-2011 at 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
I quoted bugman, so it was a sidebar question for him... because he said he just drove up from L.A. Bay.

Just trying to keep you focused. :lol:

Pompano - 10-7-2011 at 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tommix130
I know that we have been down this road before, (no pun intended), but what are the latest road conditions? I have heard differing reports, some say it is okay the others say take the coast route. Does anybody have the real scoop? Thank-you.

It matters little WHAT shape the Tecate - Ensenada Road is in....it's ALWAYS better than going though TP...opps, TJ. :yes:

zoesterone - 10-7-2011 at 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by zoesterone
Things can change here so quickly as work gets done almost over night,

Not laughing at you, Zoe. I just never imagined I'd ever see or hear anyone say that. I'm more used to the Mañanalandia take on things.

Know what you mean as a rule, but somehow roadwork seems to go quickly. Maybe because there IS so much cheap labor but one week (to me) there is dirt, the next paved road. Maybe I just got lucky or blinded by delight. '-)