BajaNomad

Average drive times

3ways - 1-15-2014 at 07:43 PM

We are taking our first trip down to Guerrero Negro then on to San Ignacio.

What is the average drive time from the San Ysidrio border to Guerrero Negro? I find alot of information of the distance but I would like to know realistically how long it

What about the drive time from GN to the town of San Igancio?

I keep reading that the road from San Igancio to the lagoon is 25 miles paved with the remaining to be completed this season. Anyone know if it is complete?

Thanks for the help!

woody with a view - 1-15-2014 at 07:45 PM

10 hours, stopping for gas and to pee.....

Pompano - 1-15-2014 at 07:48 PM

We are all a mite different in our driving times.

When not driving a motorhome I usually can make it to GN in about 9 hours of daylight driving time. I drive quite a bit faster in the pickup.

GN to San Ignacio is 2 hours...mas o menos.

edit to add: No time to pee...


[Edited on 1-16-2014 by Pompano]

3ways - 1-15-2014 at 08:00 PM

Exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks!

Sticking to day time driving.

If anyone knows about that road to the lagoon that would be nice to know too! ;)

woody with a view - 1-15-2014 at 08:12 PM

the road is there, you'll find it.

BTW, have an ice cream while sitting under that 150 year old tree in the plaza while watching the sun set and the colors dance all over the mission. you won't regret it.

bajaguy - 1-15-2014 at 08:40 PM

Takes 7 - 8 hours from Ensenada to Guerrero Negro with the usual stops

elgatoloco - 1-15-2014 at 10:59 PM

I would add at least 2-3 hours for swerving and backed up traffic from all the bicyclists tripping down the highway. A real menace to society they are. :dudette::P:lol:

Ateo - 1-15-2014 at 11:18 PM

Road to lagoon: Paved most of the way. The rest is graded but rough. You can do it. Have fun!

rufflife - 1-16-2014 at 07:58 AM

They have not completed the paving project out to the lagoon. However, the parts that are not yet paved, have (mostly) been prepped for paving.

oxxo - 1-16-2014 at 08:30 AM

From the border to GN figure anywhere from 9 to 11 hours depending on your driving habits and what you are driving. We do it in about 9.5 to 10 hours and we stop for lunch. You will need to stop once for fuel (and lunch unless you brought something with you in the car) right around San Quintin. Figure another 2 hours from GN to SI unless you leave GN early in the morning and encounter thick fog.

We prefer to cross at Tecate rather than San Ysidro. Much less stressful.

vgabndo - 1-16-2014 at 09:38 AM

A week ago, the many detours around the new bridges and paving were extra slow behind crawling semi trucks. The detours were so cut-up they were worse than standard "bordas" in my heavy truck and utility trailer. Add a little time and patience perhaps.

David K - 1-16-2014 at 09:53 AM

I have found that Hwy. 1 driving time works out to an avg. speed of 50 mph, unless you are towing or in a motorhome, then it is more like 40 mph.

San Ignacio is about 500 miles from Tijuana, so 10 hours is pretty close.

The main points if you are new to the Transpeninsular Highway is that it requires much more concentration than U.S. highways, there are military checkpoints, there are construction detours, there is slow traffic in the farm towns around San Quintin and getting behind trucks on the mountain sections. South of San Quintin the highway narrows to 19 feet wide, with no shoulders and few pullouts. They have been widening sections of the 1973 highway the past few years, but they have not done lots yet. You want to top your tank at El Rosario's Pemex (225 miles from Tijuana) as it is the last gas station for another 200 miles (Villa Jesus Maria). There is gas sold at at least two points in this dry section, but at an added premium of maybe $1.50 more per gallon. There are two Pemex stations at Bahia de los Angeles, 40 miles east of Hwy. 1 (and the bay and town is well worth a look if you have the time).

3ways - 1-16-2014 at 11:00 AM

Is the suggestion to cross at Tecate to avoid the construction that is happening because of the road collapse at Salsipuedes?

3ways - 1-16-2014 at 11:03 AM

One other question regarding the border crossing. We have only crossed at San Ysidrio. We had a long waits of close to 5 hours when we were there in November. How can I find a good map so we can figure out how to get to Otay Mesa Crossing on the way back?

I heard there is an app that tells you approximate border crossing times as well. Anyone know what it is called?

David K - 1-16-2014 at 11:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by 3ways
One other question regarding the border crossing. We have only crossed at San Ysidrio. We had a long waits of close to 5 hours when we were there in November. How can I find a good map so we can figure out how to get to Otay Mesa Crossing on the way back?

I heard there is an app that tells you approximate border crossing times as well. Anyone know what it is called?


You asked about going south at Tecate... it is a nice drive, once you are out of town. The only negative is the long drive to Tecate from San Diego.

Go back north at Tecate for sure... and avoid Sunday afternoon or last day of holiday weekends.

[Edited on 1-16-2014 by David K]

oxxo - 1-16-2014 at 11:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by 3ways
Is the suggestion to cross at Tecate to avoid the construction that is happening because of the road collapse at Salsipuedes?


That's part of it. But in addition the crossing at Tecate is much more relaxed. There is little traffic and customs and immigration go quickly. We crossed at Tecate last Sunday and vehicle inspection by customs and a walk to immigration for tourist cards took less than 15 minutes total. There are times in the past when customs at Otay Mesa made me empty out my whole vehicle to find nothing they could tax. At times I have been delayed at Otay or SY for over an hour with customs and long lines at immigration.

Highway 3 from Tecate to Ensenada is a free road and in some places it is four lanes. The road is lightly traveled and passes through the Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico's wine country. It is very picturesque.

Like David, we average 50 mph including gas and comfort stops, which means we are going somewhere north of 65 ;D out in the middle of the desert.

A bit off topic, but we left GN at 6am last Monday morning and there was THICK fog. As luck would have it, a police truck (white with green and black stripes) from Mulege passed us as we were creeping out of town. That bad boy was going 60 in conditions where I would be going half that speed. Well, I am ignorant but not stupid. I kept that guys tail lights just in view, following him at 60. I told the esposa that if we see his tail lights turning somersaults in the air, he just hit a cow! We kept up with him almost to Cuesta Infierno where the fog lifted! It was one of the best passages I ever made on that stretch of road!

Bien viaje

[Edited on 1-16-2014 by oxxo]

David K - 1-16-2014 at 11:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by oxxo
Quote:
Originally posted by 3ways
Is the suggestion to cross at Tecate to avoid the construction that is happening because of the road collapse at Salsipuedes?


That's part of it. But in addition the crossing at Tecate is much more relaxed. There is little traffic and customs and immigration go quickly. We crossed at Tecate last Sunday and vehicle inspection by customs and a walk to immigration for tourist cards took less than 15 minutes total. There are times in the past when customs at Otay Mesa made me empty out my whole vehicle to find nothing they could tax. At times I have been delayed at Otay or SY for over an hour with customs and long lines at immigration.

Highway 3 from Tecate to Ensenada is a free road and in some places it is four lanes. The road is lightly traveled and passes through the Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico's wine country. It is very picturesque.

Like David, we average 50 mph including gas and comfort stops, which means we are going somewhere north of 65 ;D out in the middle of the desert.

Bien viaje


Exactly! :light:

Conservative averages noted after 150 plus trips

Pompano - 1-16-2014 at 11:42 AM

With no construction detours or waits.

Starting from Tecate.


US border to GN = 9 hours

GN to San Ignacio = 2 hours

Tecate to Coyote Bay (Conception Bay) = 12.5 to 13 hours with a couple stops. (645 miles to my driveway)


A tip for driving through Tecate. The last couple of years, a few corrupt patrol cops have been hassling motorists, extorting bribes for made-up traffic violations. Not saying it will happen, but it could if you are not aware and make full stops, etc. Do it by the book. They mar an otherwise pleasant trip.

elgatoloco - 1-16-2014 at 12:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vgabndo
Add a little time and patience perhaps.


Words to live by SOB. :saint:

elgatoloco - 1-16-2014 at 12:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by 3ways


I heard there is an app that tells you approximate border crossing times as well. Anyone know what it is called?


https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/best-time-to-cross-the-borde...

3ways - 1-16-2014 at 04:35 PM

Thanks everyone!

BajaBlanca - 1-16-2014 at 05:36 PM

Two really imp points were made


Fill up in El Rosario


Watch out for the cops in Tecate.

Udo - 1-16-2014 at 05:57 PM

No!

It is just a less stressful drive and very scenic, once you get to the wine country...you would swear you were in some part of Italy or Spain. The only pain is if you happen to get stuck behind a truck on the two short windy mountains.
Quote:
Originally posted by 3ways
Is the suggestion to cross at Tecate to avoid the construction that is happening because of the road collapse at Salsipuedes?

oladulce - 1-16-2014 at 11:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vgabndo
A week ago, the many detours around the new bridges and paving were extra slow behind crawling semi trucks. The detours were so cut-up they were worse than standard "bordas" in my heavy truck and utility trailer. Add a little time and patience perhaps.


Ditto vgabndo's experience- road construction south of Santo Tomas felt like it went on forever when we drove thru Jan 9th heading North. The side roads thru the detours are in poor shape and hard on the vehicle no matter how slow you go. The travel trailer took a beating. Had to replace an axle, get new leaf springs, replace all 4 tires, and have the trailer frame and body welded when we got to CA. Not looking forward to that stretch on the return trip South. Slow going thru there added at least an hour to our usual travel time.

Usually takes us about 10 hrs from the border to GN. Have to get a very early start to do it in the winter and most of the time we're pulling in to GN after dark. Summer is easy. Husband is a very safe driver and we're not in a big hurry and are usually towing so your time could be less.

GN to San Ignacio takes us 1hr 45min.

mtgoat666 - 1-16-2014 at 11:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oxxo
Quote:
Originally posted by 3ways
Is the suggestion to cross at Tecate to avoid the construction that is happening because of the road collapse at Salsipuedes?


That's part of it. But in addition the crossing at Tecate is much more relaxed. There is little traffic and customs and immigration go quickly.


I don't know why nomads are going to tecate... Well, I guess it's discomfort with the 2 mile stretch thru TJ, ...
TJ immigration is fast. The toll road along water is pretty, and easy drive on limited access highway. And skipping tecate saves more than 1 hour.

3ways - 1-17-2014 at 11:10 AM

We have spent a lot of time in the area south of Rosarito to Ensenada.
We haven't had any issues going south across the border. Just big border waits on the way back. We need to get on it and apply for those Sentri passes.


In November, we checked out La Valle de Guadalupe and it was fantastic. We went via Ensenada on the way in, but on the way back, we took the road that dumps you out at La Mision. It was a really nice drive.

Our friends are suggesting that we don't need to bother with tourist visas as they have never been asked for them. Thoughts?

LaTijereta - 1-17-2014 at 12:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666

I don't know why nomads are going to tecate... Well, I guess it's discomfort with the 2 mile stretch thru TJ, ...
TJ immigration is fast. The toll road along water is pretty, and easy drive on limited access highway. And skipping tecate saves more than 1 hour.


I think most Nomads are heading south, bring back items for their casas.. Immigration is not an issue for most of us.. but the easy of crossing the border with these items with no questions makes for small detour worth it..