BajaNomad

to Ensenada… should I drive at night?

Baja_Itzcoatl - 2-28-2014 at 03:02 PM

From Los Angeles, my friends left to Ensenada at 10am this morning… I’m stuck here til 4pm, and then I’m off to meet up with them. I won’t get to the Border til dark. Although I’ve driven to Ensenada at night many times, this will be the first since the collapse of the road. Haven’t been to Ensenada at all since the road collapsed so not even sure what the detour is? Has anybody driven at night after the road collapsed to Ensenada? Should I just wait it out in Rosarito til morning, or is the detour a simple thing and I should go all the way tonight?

dasubergeek - 2-28-2014 at 03:08 PM

You'll be fine. Just don't out-drive your headlights. The detour is very obvious; at La Fonda, well south of Rosarito, all traffic must exit (the actual exit name is Alisitos). Turn left off the exit and you will be on the free road. Go inland through La Misión and you will end up back at San Miguel; there's an odd U-turn there, but it's not hard.

They have removed the topes in La Misión in order to get more traffic through.

[Edited on 2-28-2014 by dasubergeek]

willardguy - 2-28-2014 at 03:09 PM

unless the rain has screwed something up, go for it. its a good road and night travel is fine. thats my opinion anyway

DENNIS - 2-28-2014 at 03:09 PM

Don't do it. The detour is the free road from La Mision to north Ensenada. That'll be a dark, curvy, windy and wet trip tonight.
Go to Splash in Rosarito and toss back a few. Then, hit it in the AM.

Bob53 - 2-28-2014 at 03:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dasubergeek
You'll be fine. Just don't out-drive your headlights. The detour is very obvious; at La Fonda, well south of Rosarito, all traffic must exit (the actual exit name is Alisitos). Turn left off the exit and you will be on the free road. Go inland through La Misión and you will end up back at San Miguel; there's an odd U-turn there, but it's not hard.

They have removed the topes in La Misión in order to get more traffic through.

[Edited on 2-28-2014 by dasubergeek]

How is that U-turn while driving an RV pulling a trailer. Doable?

DENNIS - 2-28-2014 at 03:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob53
How is that U-turn while driving an RV pulling a trailer. Doable?


It's the entire toll plaza with little to zero traffic. No problem.

Russ - 2-28-2014 at 03:30 PM

Just did it yesterday early morning. http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=72442

lizard lips - 2-28-2014 at 03:50 PM

No

DavidE - 2-28-2014 at 04:17 PM

IMHO it is challenging enough in daylight. Add the threat of borrachos, cars with one very dim headlight, others primed black with no tail lights, idiot peatones (pedestrians, fritango cart peddlers who insist on using the pavement and even thinking about this in broad daylight gives me the willies.

bajaguy - 2-28-2014 at 10:43 PM

No more odd u-turn. there is a new connector from the free road S/B to Hwy 1 S/B just south of the toll plaza in San Miguel
Quote:
Originally posted by dasubergeek
You'll be fine. Just don't out-drive your headlights. The detour is very obvious; at La Fonda, well south of Rosarito, all traffic must exit (the actual exit name is Alisitos). Turn left off the exit and you will be on the free road. Go inland through La Misión and you will end up back at San Miguel; there's an odd U-turn there, but it's not hard.

They have removed the topes in La Misión in order to get more traffic through.

[Edited on 2-28-2014 by dasubergeek]

WideAngleWandering - 3-1-2014 at 01:59 AM

I just did that drive about 2 hours ago. It was a remarkably well-marked road with no potholes or tumulos.

If you're comfortable driving on mountain roads at night, I'd say go for it. I didn't find it challenging at all.

driving at night

captkw - 3-1-2014 at 02:23 AM

THe world does not stop at night fall...but SLOW the F down and take your sweet time..and anything,,anything like even a lil bug should make ya drag the brakes...high beams at all safe times and go SLOW.....I have driven more miles than anyone you will ever meet and can say that night driving is not the safest !! SOOO,,drive slow,safe and take your sweet a$$ time any thing moves .....slow down even more...remember slamming on the brakes or heavy steering wheel turns are the # 1 reasons for wrecks...give yourself the 4/5 second follow gig and Always look way ahead of the car/truck AHEAD OF YOU...,Do not look at what your following !!! you MUST see what he might see before he does.....DUH!! and Clean windshield and Turn down or off all inside lights....dASH,,RADIO,,CELL PHONE ANY AMBIAN LIGHTS...DRIVES ME nuts WHEN I SEE FOLKS DRIVING AT NIGHTS WITH THE DASH LIGHTS UP SO HIGH AND THEY SAY " oh,,a DEER CAME OUT OF NOWHERE !! bs TURN DOWN THOSE damn DASH LIGHTS OR WHILE IN THE BOONIES OF BAJA AT NIGHT..,.COVER WITH A TOWEL...SINCE WW2 WE SMART FOLKS KNOW THAT YOU CANT SEE AT NIGHT WITH DASH LIGHTS IN YOUR FACE...GET A GRIP AND TURN DOWN/OFF YOUR DASH LIGHTS...YOU do not need them to drive....AND IF YOU YOU THINK YOUR GOING TO FAST....YOU are!!!!!

DENNIS - 3-1-2014 at 06:12 AM

Over the years here.....what has been the "top of the list" caveat for those who seek trip advice?
"DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT"

I can't believe that precaution is so carelessly being tossed aside......and for what? There was no emergency or finish line mentioned.
Jeeezo....we Americans are nothing if not impatient.

Russ - 3-1-2014 at 06:14 AM

Unfortunately my new radio does not dim with the dash lights so I have gone to towels as the capt mentioned for the radio and XM. I've always been anal about a clean windshield. I do drive a little too fast but I pay attention to conditions far ahead. All good advice capt. Thanks.

DENNIS - 3-1-2014 at 06:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
All good advice capt. Thanks.


Especially this part:

"AND IF YOU THINK YOUR GOING TO FAST....YOU ARE!!!!!

dasubergeek - 3-3-2014 at 08:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Over the years here.....what has been the "top of the list" caveat for those who seek trip advice?
"DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT"

I can't believe that precaution is so carelessly being tossed aside......and for what? There was no emergency or finish line mentioned.
Jeeezo....we Americans are nothing if not impatient.


I'd agree if they were going south of Ensenada or into the Valle. But that road is not any worse than anything NOB for the 45 miles from Rosarito to Ensenada. I have driven it many, many times at night, and as long as you are not driving faster than your headlights can see (which means slow down when you dip your lights!) it should be fine.

dtbushpilot - 3-3-2014 at 09:17 AM

Don't be scared.

Baja_Itzcoatl - 3-5-2014 at 06:06 PM

Hello All, thanks for all your advise. I crossed the Border at 9:30pm filled up the Ice chest at the 7/11 on Revolution by that weird looking Taj mahal looking building. We got to Rosarito at 10ish and it was DEAD. I looked at my GF and said YOLO we're going for it! She said ok and we were off! We got to the detour section and there were 3 cars confused not sure to turn right or left. I read the sign and turned left and off we were! The road wasn't that bad except those damn 3 cars chose to use me as the leader and were on my ass the whole time. My GF screamed every time a Bus passed us the opposite way. But it wasn't that bad if you know how to drive Baja... we were having Tequila shots by midnight with our friends!

dasubergeek - 3-5-2014 at 08:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Baja_Itzcoatl
on Revolution by that weird looking Taj mahal looking building


I think the Jai Alai Palace is forever going to be "that weird looking Taj Mahal looking building" to me now. Did you know there's a craft brewery inside? No tasting room, but Cervecería Ki'li is in there, three barrels at a time.