BajaNomad

El Golfo de Santa Clara (MX Federal Highway 3)

theotherone - 5-14-2015 at 03:54 PM

I know this really isn't a Baja California question, but I was just curious as to the condition & efficiency of the El Golfo de Santa Clara Highway (aka. MX Federal Highway 3)?

I planning to cross the border at the Mexicali/Calexico (West), then continue on MX Federal Highway 5 & 4, until I meet up with the El Golfo de Santa Clara Highway (MX Federal Highway 3). My ultimate destination is Puerto Penasco, SON.

Is this a toll road? Is it safe & efficient in order to get me to Puerto Penasco, SON?

[Edited on 5-14-2015 by theotherone]

David K - 5-14-2015 at 05:02 PM

Please let us know how it was, photos, mileages, etc. There were some photos posted of the new highway shortly after it was completed, a few years ago... I posted some of them for a Nomad. It is/ was a free highway, stays inland from the beach most of the way.

bajabuddha - 5-14-2015 at 10:30 PM

If you're going from Calexico (Mexicali) to Puerto Peņansco, there are a few toll booths between Mexicali and San Luis Rio Colorado. Not a lot of money. Mostly 4-lane to SLRC. From there east is 2-lane, a lot of truck traffic, but doable. Once in the hill country of El Pinacate Park it's a sweet drive, but be alert for traffic. Far's safety, that's your own doing. Use your 3rd eye, don't pick up hitchers w/ backpacks, only do daytime. Great drive; Sonoita is my favorite border town. If you're in P.P. on a weekend you better like bees and wasps, the town's full of little ORV's buzzing nonstop.

When I have the time and schedule fits, I love to drive from Hwy 5 across to Sonoita to cross. Used to do PP in the late 80's, but Phoenix and Tucson invaded. Enjoy, and post your journey for us please!

MICK - 5-15-2015 at 04:47 AM

If you go the way you wrote 5-4-3 you will have no toll booths. They are all free roads. The roads are good except for a little road work just after you cross the Colorado river. Be aware that when you get into downtown Coahuila you have to make a left turn onto carreterra Luis b Sanchez and follow that north then east to hookup with 3. It is not well marked but is at a stop sign just after the flea market that is also on the left. The drive south from there is good roads. Just north of El Golfo you turn left again but that is very well marked. One military check point with a fruit inspection but the last time we went thru the guy just said. "You don't have any fruit right" so Imagreed.
Have a great trip
Mick

David K - 5-15-2015 at 08:42 AM

Mick (or anyone) do you have a road map of Sonora that shows the new highway between El Golfo and Pto. Peņasco?