BajaNomad

Construction Ensenada to Guerrero Negro

CakedecT - 1-28-2014 at 10:52 AM

I am new here and I am hoping to drive to Guerrero Negro the beginning of February to see the whales.
I drove with a friend in the beginning of December out to Camalu and the was a lot of construction on the road with the side of the road dirt "detours". I am not sure I would have high enough clearance in my Toyota Corolla. Any thoughts? Experiences?

David K - 1-28-2014 at 11:32 AM

The detours are all made for Highway traffic... if it looks rough, drive slower so you don't bounce down and hit the bottom. Every other 2WD car will be using the detour to get south/ north. Have a fun time... and if you fall in love with Baja you will want to trade the Corolla for a 4WD Tacoma anyway!:yes:

DawnPatrol - 1-28-2014 at 01:18 PM

What David said:
Just came back from San Quintin and they are making a lot of progress around LA Cetto winery, San Vincente, Santo tomas
Still some areas of dirt detours, but all very hard packed and no problema for a compact

CakedecT - 1-28-2014 at 02:54 PM

Thank you, that helps. I have been in Ensenada for two months and have figured out how to avoid most big potholes. I also figured out to ignore horns honking everywhere, and not to hesitate or I won't get anywhere! Now I think I am ready to drive south!!

Udo - 1-28-2014 at 04:50 PM

The largest dips are at the Santo Thomas bridge detour and the San Vicente bridge detour.
In our FJ Cruiser, we had to slow down to about 50 MPH.

Bajahowodd - 1-28-2014 at 05:54 PM

Since I haven't been through that area in several months, can anyone tell me if this work is affecting the area in Santo Tomas where that old Pemex station is? Since they started this project, I have been really wondering just how they might widen the highway without major intrusions.

rts551 - 1-28-2014 at 06:30 PM

Went though yesterday unlike the other posters, no problema.

BajaNomad - 1-28-2014 at 06:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo

In our FJ Cruiser, we had to slow down to about 50 MPH.



:O

:lol:

msawin - 1-30-2014 at 08:56 PM

I was down and back last week and it is not bad at all. Drove my Ford van so I was a little slower than if I was Driving Toyota FJ Cruiser. I probably would have done 55 MPH thru the Humps...

CakedecT - 1-30-2014 at 09:18 PM

That's great thanks!

CakedecT - 2-1-2014 at 09:38 AM

Did the rain effect the dirt detours?

David K - 2-1-2014 at 09:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Since I haven't been through that area in several months, can anyone tell me if this work is affecting the area in Santo Tomas where that old Pemex station is? Since they started this project, I have been really wondering just how they might widen the highway without major intrusions.


Can someone answer this Q? Did the El Palomar lose their parking areas with the widening of the highway?

PEMEX???

bajaguy - 2-1-2014 at 10:39 AM

Last time I was down that-a-ways (October), looks like they were building a new PEMEX south of the Santo Tomas winery on the east side.

Udo - 2-1-2014 at 05:35 PM

I could be wrong, Terry, but I think the PEMEX is being built by the LA CETO winery, near where the military checkpoint is.
When I went by in January, it was all finished but the paving of the lot.
I guess they are waiting until the road repairs are finished. And even so, I think it is a dumb place to put a gas station.



Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Last time I was down that-a-ways (October), looks like they were building a new PEMEX south of the Santo Tomas winery on the east side.

David K - 2-1-2014 at 06:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
I could be wrong, Terry, but I think the PEMEX is being built by the LA CETO winery, near where the military checkpoint is.
When I went by in January, it was all finished but the paving of the lot.
I guess they are waiting until the road repairs are finished. And even so, I think it is a dumb place to put a gas station.



Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Last time I was down that-a-ways (October), looks like they were building a new PEMEX south of the Santo Tomas winery on the east side.


Maybe they are going to pave the road from there to Valle de Trinidad? In that case, it would be an excellent location. Baja is going fast... pave all the roads and put in a parking lot... :no:

Udo - 2-2-2014 at 09:24 AM

Thanks for your input DK!

David K - 2-2-2014 at 10:15 AM

So, back to my question... did they change the size of the parking in front of the El Palomar with the road widening?

mcnut - 2-3-2014 at 01:08 PM

Not the latest (first of the year) info but we camped at El Palomar and visited the store/restaurant/hotel and the construction then was just north of them, down in the wash. I didn't see any impact on the entry to the park or buildings across the highway.

We did find the extensive construction well south of there very slow going and rough (5-10mph) but then we don't have a Toyota.

Bruce

David K - 2-3-2014 at 01:46 PM

Thanks Bruce... may one soon come your way.

ViajeraGal - 3-4-2014 at 05:56 PM

I came past there going north last Friday, 28th, in heavy rain and trying to get around a truck, so wasn't paying a whole lot of attention, but it didn't seem to be any different than always. The new construction seems to be just north and a little south of it.