BajaNomad - Mex 5 to Puertocitos

Mex 5 to Puertocitos

cioppa - 12-22-2015 at 04:50 PM

Heading down to surf the sisters for the next 10 days or so. A friend has asked me to give them a ride to a job in Puertecitos.

If I am in San Diego, what would be the best way down, and if I take Mex 5, when is the last diesel stop before I junction with Mex 1?

Thanks!

BigBearRider - 12-22-2015 at 05:11 PM

Two options from my perspective:

(a) go to Calexico and drive down the 5 to San Felipe. That is likely the last diesel stop before you get on the 1, as I understand the Gonzaga Bay Pemex has been iffy with the diesel. (I'm sure you know that there is 23 miles of bad dirt road before you hit the 1 at Laguna Chapala.)

Once you hit the 1, you will have to go to either El Rosario (north), or Jesus Maria (south) for diesel. If you are heading home, you'll go north.

(b) go to Ensenada and drive the 3 over to San Felipe. The rest is the same as under option (a).

I'd choose (b). I don't find the drive from Calexico/Mexicali to San Felipe very interesting.

BigBearRider - 12-22-2015 at 05:13 PM

Btw, Puertecitos is a long way from the 1. Unless you want to go south, you may want to just turn around and head back to SF.

AKgringo - 12-22-2015 at 06:07 PM

There is a Pemex in Puertecitos that I purchased gasoline at a couple of years ago. I don't know if they sell diesel also, and their hours of operation are at their convenience.

At the Pemex in Gonzaga Bay, the diesel pumps were still out of order last time I went through there, but an other customer looking to buy some was sent across the road to the shop at Rancho Grande.

I assume he was able to get some fuel, as I believe the businesses are connected.

Turning around at Puertecitos would deprive you of seeing some of the best part of your drive, and add a hell of a lot of miles!

David K - 12-22-2015 at 06:33 PM

Last dependable diesel would be San Felipe. 125 miles south of the border and 52 miles north of Puertecitos.

Puertecitos to Hwy. 1 is another 80 miles south, 23 unpaved. The road to the Seven Sisters Coast (one of them) is just a mile south of where the 5 meets the 1 (at Laguna Chapala). That 40-mile dirt road takes you to just north of Punta Blanco. You are a long ways from diesel fuel. Either 30 miles north to possible independent supply at Cataviña or 106 mile to El Rosario Pemex.

AKgringo - 12-22-2015 at 09:23 PM

The OP asked a question.

DK gave a pretty thorough answer.

Isn't that what this forum is about?

Maron - 12-22-2015 at 10:07 PM

WOW. Brewer please let us know what David did to anger you so much.
He gives plenty of good info and is always willing to share his vast knowledge for free.

Have a beer and chill.

redhilltown - 12-23-2015 at 12:48 AM

"Spew" is just one of those words that gets weirder each time you look at it or type it...maybe like "schlong"?

And no, I am not accusing David K of schlonging anyone!!! He nicely answered a question with specific answers! No idea what the problem is.

Let it be said that I am the first Nomad to ever use the terms "spew" and "schlong" in a post.

:bounce:

nbacc - 12-23-2015 at 07:00 AM

A job in Puertocitos? wow, Get gas in San Felipe although I know the station was open this fall...............on and off

rts551 - 12-23-2015 at 07:49 AM

San Felipe is last place for diesel. The go SOUTH on 1 to Jesus Maria to fill up and go into Sisters from the south.

Spearo - 12-23-2015 at 07:51 AM

I just drove this a few weeks ago.

For you I would cross at Tecate and take that east-west highway (2?) to 5. Mexicali can be a mess but that's also doable.

Your last dependable diesel is in San Felipe. When I passed Gonzaga Pemex the diesel pumps were covered. Jesus Maria is the next diesel pump, maybe 200 miles.

Beware the little vados between SF and Puertocitos. These are no joke.

mtgoat666 - 12-23-2015 at 07:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

The OP asked a question.

DK gave a pretty thorough answer.

Isn't that what this forum is about?

Hey, I am just thankful dk did not go all political on us!

rts551 - 12-23-2015 at 07:56 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Spearo

I just drove this a few weeks ago.

For you I would cross at Tecate and take that east-west highway (2?) to 5. Mexicali can be a mess but that's also doable.

Your last dependable diesel is in San Felipe. When I passed Gonzaga Pemex the diesel pumps were covered. Jesus Maria is the next diesel pump, maybe 200 miles.

Beware the little vados between SF and Puertocitos. These are no joke.

200 miles from San Felipe, not Gonzaga?

Pescador - 12-23-2015 at 08:35 AM

Quote: Originally posted by brewer

Let David K. hold your hand through out your Baja trip. Why not just bring extra fuel cans and go. Have you looked at a map? It's simple stuff.

I hope you survive. Maybe get David K.'s cell number so you can call him with a sat. phone.

Why can't David resist the urge to spew? peees me off.

Someone needs to adjust their meds, or get some.
:no:

brewer - 12-23-2015 at 10:04 AM

O.K., My apologies for that. We don't go out there over the holidays anymore because of the crowds.

David K. have you ever driven the road you mentioned? It is one of the worst. Throw in some rain and it could be a disaster. 4WD is a must. You might not see anyone for weeks on it. It's a long walk out if you are by yourself.

Once again, I sorry. It just seems like the OP could have done a little research on his own, like look at a map and figure out distances and determine how much extra fuel they might need to carry.

Peace.

David K - 12-23-2015 at 10:08 AM

Yes, brewer, five months ago I drove it twice. I took many photos, documented the mileages, made maps showing the new highway bypass of Coco's Corner, etc.

Apology accepted,
Have a Happy New Year!

EDIT: The road has traffic daily, has construction crews on it, 4WD not needed unless it is muddy, but so many people are out there, so help will be along. This is Mexico Highway 5, under construction for the 23 miles unpaved miles left.

Are we not on the same page?

EDIT #2: I was always speaking of Hwy. 5 to Laguna Chapala. The OP never asked about the Chapala to Punta Blanca road.

If he had, I would have referred him to TW's excellent post on that road from a few years ago. I have not driven it. It is indeed a seldom used 'Jeep Trail' and best to have 4WD and a companion vehicle in that remote area.

[Edited on 12-23-2015 by David K]

BigBearRider - 12-23-2015 at 10:23 AM

I didn't read the OP very well. I didn't see his reference to that super-secret surf spot that is marked on all maps. I now understand that he wants to continue south to Laguna Chapala. It's a good idea to bring some extra diesel in a tank, just in case.

Funny story: My Baja-mobile has 216K miles on it. The fuel gauge broke many years ago, and it always shows I'm empty. I use the trip meter to know when I need to gas up. Earlier this week, the car stopped on my way to work -- less than 100 feet from my mechanic. I walked in, and asked for help. Two guys came and pushed me to the shop. One of them saw that the gas gauge showed the tank was empty and cursed in Spanish saying I was out of gas. As I was about to explain to him that the gauge is always showing "empty" I realized he was right. I was out of gas. He gave me a gallon of gas to get to the gas station. I went to fill up and returned with a $20, and a "Soy idiota, gracias por su ayuda..." He laughed.

motoged - 12-23-2015 at 11:45 AM

Let me spew a bit ....but I will leave my schlong out of this....

There is gas and diesel at Bahia de los Angeles....closer than Jesus Maria....and just an hour south of where the dirt road comes out at La Chapala....

DK was informative and polite enough to not correct the OP's spelling...

Feliz Navidad, amigos y amigas

[Edited on 12-23-2015 by motoged]

brewer - 12-23-2015 at 12:42 PM

DK, we are not on the same page. Re-read your reply. Check your U2U

David K - 12-23-2015 at 02:18 PM

Hi brewer,
Thanks for the nice u2u, and while the thread is named: "Mex 5 to Puertocitos" It did also ask about driving on to Highway One, which is what I and others saw primarily.
Nowhere did the OP ask about any road on to the Pacific Coast ("Seven Sisters"), just about diesel fuel. My reply was all about where he may find diesel.
Happy New Year!