BajaNomad

Tucson to Loreto drive time

ligui - 10-20-2011 at 04:58 AM

Hi everyone ;D I have a friend that will be traveling from Tucson to Loreto this winter . He will be towing a 19-21 ft fishing boat . He would like to leave Tucson early on a sunday morning cross the border and drive thru to El Rosario the first day . Spend the night then head to loreto in a day of travel .

Anyone have any feed back on this ? Thanks for your help :bounce:

backninedan - 10-20-2011 at 10:34 AM

I just finished towing a boat down from San Diego to Loreto. It was a tough two day drive. Three days would be a lot more enjoyable from Tuscon.

Its rather expensive, but the ferry from Guaymas is a much easier way to go. Just something to consider.

bill erhardt - 10-20-2011 at 11:27 AM

Another possibility if your friend is wedded to two days would be to overnight in San Quintin. Villa de San Quintin is right on Mex 1 with plenty of parking for a boat/trailer and much nicer accommodations than he will find in ER. SQ would be an easier reach from Tucson in one day, and with an early start he could easily make Loreto in daylight on day two......

tiotomasbcs - 10-20-2011 at 11:38 AM

Roadwork/construction will be an issue for all travelers .Someone just posted some good pictures of a few construction areas and another mentioned a rock to windshield! I would add a few hours to each days travel! Tecate was an easy crossing as usual. Slow and easy. Tio

David K - 10-20-2011 at 11:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bill erhardt
Another possibility if your friend is wedded to two days would be to overnight in San Quintin. Villa de San Quintin is right on Mex 1 with plenty of parking for a boat/trailer and much nicer accommodations than he will find in ER. SQ would be an easier reach from Tucson in one day, and with an early start he could easily make Loreto in daylight on day two......


Seriously, you need to experience Baja Cactus in El Rosario sometime...

Room has King beds, satellite TV (English channels incl.), phone (can call anywhere in the world from), coffee maker, Kirkland bottled water (no charge), pressure boosted hot water showers, a 24 hour desk clerk, large secured parking, and more...










Even at the low price of under $40, they still offer discounts to Baja Nomads and Discover Baja members... have your card if you want even more off the rediculously low price for such a comfortable place.

rhintransit - 10-20-2011 at 03:10 PM

wouldn't recommend it. two night minimum for comfort and safety. pulling a trailer and with days getting shorter, makes no sense to push it that hard.

tripledigitken - 10-20-2011 at 03:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by bill erhardt
Another possibility if your friend is wedded to two days would be to overnight in San Quintin. Villa de San Quintin is right on Mex 1 with plenty of parking for a boat/trailer and much nicer accommodations than he will find in ER. SQ would be an easier reach from Tucson in one day, and with an early start he could easily make Loreto in daylight on day two......


Seriously, you need to experience Baja Cactus in El Rosario sometime...

Room has King beds, satellite TV (English channels incl.), phone (can call anywhere in the world from), coffee maker, Kirkland bottled water (no charge), pressure boosted hot water showers, a 24 hour desk clerk, large secured parking, and more...










Even at the low price of under $40, they still offer discounts to Baja Nomads and Discover Baja members... have your card if you want even more off the rediculously low price for such a comfortable place.



Sounds great...............Is there a gas station near by, how about restaurants???????????????????

David K - 10-20-2011 at 04:05 PM

When your joking please add a :lol:

For the unknown number of newbies or lurkers... Yes, the gas station is next door (open 24/7, reliable fuel supply and honest pumps).

There are many eating establishments in El Rosario from taco and hot dog stands to dining rooms. Mama Espinoza's is next door... like going into a Baja museum food has been reported as good to poor, same with service. Breakfast always good. Down the street is many restaurants and then Tacos Mision (for a treat try Hugo's stuffed baked potatoes or giant burritos). At the far end of town is Baja's Best Bed & Breakfast and Bar & Restaurant... always good.

tripledigitken - 10-20-2011 at 04:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
When your joking please add a :lol:

For the unknown number of newbies or lurkers... Yes, the gas station is next door (open 24/7, reliable fuel supply and honest pumps).

There are many eating establishments in El Rosario from taco and hot dog stands to dining rooms. Mama Espinoza's is next door... like going into a Baja museum food has been reported as good to poor, same with service. Breakfast always good. Down the street is many restaurants and then Tacos Mision (for a treat try Hugo's stuffed baked potatoes or giant burritos). At the far end of town is Baja's Best Bed & Breakfast and Bar & Restaurant... always good.



"Breakfast always good" at Mama's?????

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Bob and Susan - 10-20-2011 at 04:29 PM

easy as apple pie...

Desertbull - 10-20-2011 at 08:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
easy as apple pie...


bwahhhh....of course it is, but, well you know:lol:

ain't tough like ol' Jimmy Smith boyz any more...few and far between:lol:

cept' for Wild Bill, Roberto and lemme think...maybe I shouldn't think...

see ya soon Bob

Roberto - 10-20-2011 at 09:25 PM

Methinks DK has never stayed in a truly nice hotel. Calling out the "Kirkland" bottled water and the phone from which "can call anywhere in the world from". Wait, I can do that with my cell phone!

Too f'ing funny! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Edited on 10-21-2011 by Roberto]

David K - 10-21-2011 at 01:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Roberto
Methinks DK has never stayed in a truly nice hotel. Calling out the "Kirkland" bottled water and the phone from which "can call anywhere in the world from". Wait, I can do that with my cell phone!

Too f'ing funny! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Edited on 10-21-2011 by Roberto]


Guess the being in El Rosario was missed... not all U.S. cell phones work there, and the U.S. bottled water is free... in U.S. hotels there is a $2+ charge... and those rooms are over $100. Makes Baja Cactus better than a Hyatt in many ways, besides being in Baja.

Roberto - 10-21-2011 at 08:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by Roberto
Methinks DK has never stayed in a truly nice hotel. Calling out the "Kirkland" bottled water and the phone from which "can call anywhere in the world from". Wait, I can do that with my cell phone!

Too f'ing funny! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Edited on 10-21-2011 by Roberto]


Guess the being in El Rosario was missed... not all U.S. cell phones work there, and the U.S. bottled water is free... in U.S. hotels there is a $2+ charge... and those rooms are over $100. Makes Baja Cactus better than a Hyatt in many ways, besides being in Baja.


News bulletin - you mean I need a cell phone that works in Mexico? Boy, am i glad you told me.

Better than the Hyatt "in many ways". More great info!


[Edited on 10-21-2011 by Roberto]

LaTijereta - 10-21-2011 at 09:39 AM

With the current road construction and waiting.. You will need to allow two days to get from the border to Loreto towing a boat or trailer..
Trailer with be torn-up in the "off pavement" sections

May be Tuson- Ensenada > Ensenada-GN > GN-Loreto would be break-up.. allowing for getting through the border paperwork..

honda tom - 10-24-2011 at 09:43 AM

two days from tucson will be an easy pace(even with the construction).
Day one get a early dinner in san quintin and push on.

Day 2 leave el rasrio early 5am... be in loreto late afternoon. lunch on second day at guerrero negro. on first day you may want to push on to catavina, or new hotel at Rosarito, if daylight allows.

I travel to Loreto with my boat every sept. this year because of the fishing conditions i did not go. 3 of the guys that have gone with me for years took another boat and went. we usually pass Ensenada at 3 or 4 am and always make loreto before dark. that is what they did ... and even with the construction the travel plan worked again.

[Edited on 10-24-2011 by honda tom]

honda tom - 10-24-2011 at 10:01 AM

Only stop there for fuel. (El Rosario) ate there once, me and dad... two taco plates, carne asada... two beers, Pacifico... billed over $20 bucs! NEVER AGAIN.:mad:

Wally - 10-24-2011 at 12:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ligui
Hi everyone ;D I have a friend that will be traveling from Tucson to Loreto this winter . He will be towing a 19-21 ft fishing boat . He would like to leave Tucson early on a sunday morning cross the border and drive thru to El Rosario the first day . Spend the night then head to loreto in a day of travel .

Anyone have any feed back on this ? Thanks for your help :bounce:


Yes this can be accomplished without any problem. Personally, I'd make the first day a 14 hour drive and push for Guerrero Negro, using Cativina as a back up--thus only having a 5 - 6 hour day #2. I flat-towed a vehicle round trip this summer to Utah. The highway construction was an issue only once with me literally having to follow behind the road grater (if you've ever flat towed then you know that the towed vehicle doesn't like soft surfaces).

Whenever I have to drive a long distance I just want it to be over.

rts551 - 10-24-2011 at 01:39 PM

There is no way he can make GN in 14 hours from Tucson towing a boat (approx 800 miles). Just going to El Rosario wll be ong enough.
Quote:
Originally posted by Wally
Quote:
Originally posted by ligui
Hi everyone ;D I have a friend that will be traveling from Tucson to Loreto this winter . He will be towing a 19-21 ft fishing boat . He would like to leave Tucson early on a sunday morning cross the border and drive thru to El Rosario the first day . Spend the night then head to loreto in a day of travel .

Anyone have any feed back on this ? Thanks for your help :bounce:


Yes this can be accomplished without any problem. Personally, I'd make the first day a 14 hour drive and push for Guerrero Negro, using Cativina as a back up--thus only having a 5 - 6 hour day #2. I flat-towed a vehicle round trip this summer to Utah. The highway construction was an issue only once with me literally having to follow behind the road grater (if you've ever flat towed then you know that the towed vehicle doesn't like soft surfaces).

Whenever I have to drive a long distance I just want it to be over.

honda tom - 10-24-2011 at 03:28 PM

Tucson to border 6 hours. Leave tucson at 4am cross at 11am after eating. 5+ hours to el rosario, and its 4pm. 4 more hours and your in GN between 8 and 9. A long day.... yes, but not a big deal for those of us that love to drive.

I cant sleep the night before a baja trip so I would leave at 3am.

David K - 10-24-2011 at 03:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by honda tom
Only stop there for fuel. (El Rosario) ate there once, me and dad... two taco plates, carne asada... two beers, Pacifico... billed over $20 bucs! NEVER AGAIN.:mad:


Where... El Rosario is a town with dozens of restaurants? (of course, my guess is Mama Espinoza's... but her menu has prices listed)

[Edited on 10-24-2011 by David K]

rts551 - 10-24-2011 at 03:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by honda tom
Tucson to border 6 hours. Leave tucson at 4am cross at 11am after eating. 5+ hours to el rosario, and its 4pm. 4 more hours and your in GN between 8 and 9. A long day.... yes, but not a big deal for those of us that love to drive.

I cant sleep the night before a baja trip so I would leave at 3am.


That's if you are flying. I doubt he will he driving that fast with a boat especially given the construction on Baja HWY's.

honda tom - 10-24-2011 at 07:21 PM

Yes David it was Mama Espinosa's. around 1999 or 2000. It was fun to see all the pics and notes from my off road heros from years past, so I dont even know if I looked at the menu. IMO San Quintin has the best street tacos in Baja, so I eat there.... and fuel at Rosario.

I tow my boat through here often, good equipment...... brakes, tires, springs, etc make for a good trip. The boat in question is 19-21 feet, it weighs little, (as far as ocean fishing boats go). He can hang with average passenger car/truck trip times.

805gregg - 10-24-2011 at 07:42 PM

Drive and you will see, I travel Baja pedel to the metal so my drive times are a lot less than slower folks.

ligui - 10-25-2011 at 04:52 AM

Got to say i alway's hate to see people driving so fast in baja . We all take the time to go there so why not slow down and enjoy . Also making it safer for others also on the road .

Most of the drivers that think it is a race will someday use up that luck that they have been riding on and find out the real truth . Maybe causing a crash and hurting ,killing others that were just in your speeding way ,:no::no:

Time to grow up and stop endanerging others , take your time to enjoy the view and be safe for others,

honda tom - 10-25-2011 at 08:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ligui
Got to say i alway's hate to see people driving so fast in baja . We all take the time to go there so why not slow down and enjoy . Also making it safer for others also on the road .

Most of the drivers that think it is a race will someday use up that luck that they have been riding on and find out the real truth . Maybe causing a crash and hurting ,killing others that were just in your speeding way ,:no::no:

Time to grow up and stop endanerging others , take your time to enjoy the view and be safe for others,


Not sure what your talking about. These travel times are not based on unsafe or fast driving. They're based on not stoping at every town for pictures. If I'm going to Loreto to fish.... my goal is to go to Loreto, then relax while I'm there. What you consider luck may be someone elses common sense, and ability.

rts551 - 10-25-2011 at 08:31 AM

Tom, may luck be with you. but recommending an apparent first-timer with a boat average those type of speeds down Mex 1 is irresponsible.

800 miles/14 hours is 57mles per hour which includes 75 MPH speed limit in AZ (55 in Kalifornia) and stops at the border etc. I divide time between Tucson and Pun a Abreojos and know this route well.

honda tom - 10-25-2011 at 08:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
Tom, may luck be with you. but recommending an apparent first-timer with a boat average those type of speeds down Mex 1 is irresponsible.

800 miles/14 hours is 57mles per hour which includes 75 MPH speed limit in AZ (55 in Kalifornia) and stops at the border etc. I divide time between Tucson and Pun a Abreojos and know this route well.


Actually my travel planned allowed for 16-17 hours (4am to8-9pm) a safe 47-50 mph overall. I would plan on Catavina (if you had your food squared away before) then push on if comfortable.