BajaNomad

Highway 1 and hwy 5 after Newton ?

tecatero - 9-7-2016 at 04:46 AM

Any word on the roads ? Lots of rain in Loreto and Mulege .......

rts551 - 9-7-2016 at 06:58 AM

Rain was just starting yesterday at Vizcaino....no clouds yet on 5. If was supposed to rain hard at Chapala to Gonzaga which will turn that road into a mud bog.

amigobaja - 9-7-2016 at 07:59 AM

Anyone have flood levels in mulege? Did Sauls get wet?

David K - 9-7-2016 at 10:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Rain was just starting yesterday at Vizcaino....no clouds yet on 5. If was supposed to rain hard at Chapala to Gonzaga which will turn that road into a mud bog.


A few minutes ago Tim at Alfonsina's messaged me that no rain fell at Gonzaga. Mike at L.A. Bay reported only light rainfall at 2:30 am this morning.

Binger7 - 9-23-2016 at 09:22 AM

Just returned from my home in Cabo to Phoenix. Here are complete road conditions on the roads I took, starting Monday, 9/19.

Highway 1, to La Paz, all good.
Highway 1 north of La Paz, road construction reverting to gravel road, slow travel to about 10-20 mph for about 15 miles.
Highway 1, south of Cuidad Constitution, more road construction just south of the city to gravel and sand, they are expanding to four lanes also, about 10-20 for about 10 miles.
Highway 1 to Mulege, pretty good until you get south of Loreto coming out of the mountains, with some washed out bridges and arroyos but most have been filled in. Some holes to watch out for. I estimated about 10-12 washouts. Huge enscarpments that have been piled up from Newton.
Highway 1 to Highway 23 to Bahia de Los Angeles, few potholes in main paving you need to be careful of but overall pretty good.
Highway 1 to Highway 5, about 40 miles, not real good, the worst blacktop on the trip so far with several potholes you need to be careful of.
Highway 5 to San Felipe. Good gravel at first but turns into very rough road to 5 MPH. They are making progress but slow. Still working on a lot of new bridges. Few construction crews. It took us about an hour to reach pavement. Have to go 5-15 and some rocks sticking out. Be careful. Gravel still about 15 minutes north of Coco Corners and then sometimes better to drive in sand service type road. But this is well worth the shortcut to Mexicali. I talked with one construction worker who said 1 year to finish but LOL. I think more like 2-3 with the equipement I saw. Several batching plants and staging equipment areas however. This road will be fantastic when done. I expect more traffic then Highway 1 when complete.

Once you hit the blacktop, first class road for a long way until you get about 50 miles south of San Felipe and then a lot of rough paving, some down to like gravel. North of San Felipe wide open and wonderful. Travel time from Highway 1/23 to Mexecali border, 6 1/2 hours with gas and pit stops so a huge time saver.

So just be mindful of the gravel and dirt stretches on Highway 5 north of Highway 1 for about 20-30 miles and about an hour.

One more thing. When you reach Celexico border, get in far right lanes. I accidently slipped in the left lane and was matched up with a fiesty officer who asked me a lot of questions and kept on telling me about being in the wrong lane and next time a major fine up to $5000. It be nice if the entry signs were in English also, expecially when you have about 10 cars on your fender.

Hope this all helps you all.

I am leaving my car at Honda dealer in Phoenix for service flying back to Wisconsin returning after xmas driving back to Cabo.

One more note, the fishing pretty well stinks right now north of San Francisto. Too many spear guns, netters and now green water with the storms. Good bite at Mag Bay but outside.

DaliDali - 9-23-2016 at 09:48 AM

Friend of mine with a 38' motorhome towing a Jeep crossed the dirt yesterday (9-22) south bound.
NO mud.....dirty....dusty.....slow

[Edited on 9-23-2016 by DaliDali]

mtgoat666 - 9-23-2016 at 10:40 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Binger7  
Just
One more thing. When you reach Celexico border, get in far right lanes. I accidently slipped in the left lane and was matched up with a fiesty officer who asked me a lot of questions and kept on telling me about being in the wrong lane and next time a major fine up to $5000. It be nice if the entry signs were in English also, expecially when you have about 10 cars on your fender.



You own a house in mexico and cant read enough spanish to understand the traffic signs?

Sounds like you got in the SENTRI line.

Here's a spanish lesson: "linea SENTRI" means "SENTRI line".

Binger7, thanks!

AKgringo - 9-23-2016 at 05:02 PM

Good and timely information, I hope to confirm your findings next month. Barring another storm, the road should be even better by the time I get there.

I almost didn't see your post, because it was buried under the Goat's snarky reply. Most of us appreciate current updates, because things can change pretty quickly sometimes, or drag on forever at other times.

Thanks again!

rts551 - 9-23-2016 at 06:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DaliDali  
Friend of mine with a 38' motorhome towing a Jeep crossed the dirt yesterday (9-22) south bound.
NO mud.....dirty....dusty.....slow

[Edited on 9-23-2016 by DaliDali]


Went through on the 21st and there was a light rain, just enough so there was no dust.

I am surprised it was that dusty the very next day.

DaliDali - 9-24-2016 at 06:11 AM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Quote: Originally posted by DaliDali  
Friend of mine with a 38' motorhome towing a Jeep crossed the dirt yesterday (9-22) south bound.
NO mud.....dirty....dusty.....slow

[Edited on 9-23-2016 by DaliDali]


Went through on the 21st and there was a light rain, just enough so there was no dust.

I am surprised it was that dusty the very next day.


Amazing things happen in the desert.
Porous soil......strong sunshine....DUST.

fish101 - 9-24-2016 at 06:52 AM

Another great trip on Highway 5 with my motorhome. I came through this route the last of May with my 38ft Newmar Dutch Star towing my JEEP Liberty with no problems, Yes, it was a bit rough on the 23 miles of dirt/gravel but doable. My plan was to return this way when I came back in September. I know a lot of you told me that you did not recommend it, but you know, its a lot less stressful going that route and even knowing that you will take at least 3 hours at 10mph to get thru the 23 miles.. I enjoyed this time just as much as I did in May. Actually it only took me 1 hour from the end of the pavement to Coco's this time. Spent 30 minutes having a beer and talking to Coco and two truck driver's that told me the road was good. Dry as a bone! Coco said he had some rain a day or two before but not much to speak of. I did not see any signs of rain through the hills. It took me 1 1/2 hours to make the trek to Highway One. The last 4 or 5 miles was probably the worse, because of the wash board conditions on the old road. You still can't use the new part of the highway those last few miles. To save 200 miles or so, is the best part and not having to go through Ensenada and Catavina. YES!! I would do it again.. For those that don't enjoy that trip, I'm sorry, I do!!!

[Edited on 9-24-2016 by fish101]

rts551 - 9-24-2016 at 07:35 AM

Quote: Originally posted by fish101  
Another great trip on Highway 5 with my motorhome. I came through this route the last of May with my 38ft Newmar Dutch Star towing my JEEP Liberty with no problems, Yes, it was a bit rough on the 23 miles of dirt/gravel but doable. My plan was to return this way when I came back in September. I know a lot of you told me that you did not recommend it, but you know, its a lot less stressful going that route and even knowing that you will take at least 3 hours at 10mph to get thru the 23 miles.. I enjoyed this time just as much as I did in May. Actually it only took me 1 hour from the end of the pavement to Coco's this time. Spent 30 minutes having a beer and talking to Coco and two truck driver's that told me the road was good. Dry as a bone! Coco said he had some rain a day or two before but not much to speak of. I did not see any signs of rain through the hills. It took me 1 1/2 hours to make the trek to Highway One. The last 4 or 5 miles was probably the worse, because of the wash board conditions on the old road. You still can't use the new part of the highway those last few miles. To save 200 miles or so, is the best part and not having to go through Ensenada and Catavina. YES!! I would do it again.. For those that don't enjoy that trip, I'm sorry, I do!!!

[Edited on 9-24-2016 by fish101]


You have the option of staying on the old road or going on the new road. I went up on the new road across the bridges the last few miles last Wednesday.

fish101 - 9-24-2016 at 11:17 AM

Every chance I got, I got on the new section of the highway, but heading south to Highway 1 they had it blocked and had to take the old section the last 4 miles or so. IT was the roughest part of the trip. Also, according to the latest information is that they have struck very hard rock in the mountains and the three machines they use are broken down. They say it is like iron and cannot bust it loose.. Seems this may delay the completion of this highway for at least another year..So, no bets that this will be completed in two years on my part.. I did not see any signs of any rain from Coco's to Highway 1 on Thursday, so it must have dried up over night..

David K - 9-24-2016 at 11:46 AM

They are trying to reduce whole mountains so the highway runs a straight as possible, rather than curve around them. They have been working on one peak for two years. I suppose their government contract allows the continued waste of tax money?

The new route and the old rejoin near Hwy. 1... big signs there. The new route skirts around the dust bowl area.

rts551 - 9-24-2016 at 12:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
They are trying to reduce whole mountains so the highway runs a straight as possible, rather than curve around them. They have been working on one peak for two years. I suppose their government contract allows the continued waste of tax money?

The new route and the old rejoin near Hwy. 1... big signs there. The new route skirts around the dust bowl area.


Why is this a waste of tax dollars? The rest of the world makes their roads like this all the time. I am glad to see that Mexico is doing the same. The fact that they ran into some difficulty or environmental concern is not surprising. I don't think they have "worked" on that peak in quiet a while Mr Engineer.

mtgoat666 - 9-24-2016 at 12:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
They are trying to reduce whole mountains so the highway runs a straight as possible, rather than curve around them. They have been working on one peak for two years. I suppose their government contract allows the continued waste of tax money?

The new route and the old rejoin near Hwy. 1... big signs there. The new route skirts around the dust bowl area.


Why is this a waste of tax dollars? The rest of the world makes their roads like this all the time. I am glad to see that Mexico is doing the same. The fact that they ran into some difficulty or environmental concern is not surprising. I don't think they have "worked" on that peak in quiet a while Mr Engineer.


Twisty, windy roads lead to traffic fatalities, nothing wrong with making roads safer. Spending money on straightening roads and improving infrastructure is far superior use of money compared to spending money on war and more killing machines.

willardguy - 9-24-2016 at 12:45 PM

:no: pleeeze finish that last 23 miles!

fish101 - 9-24-2016 at 02:19 PM

Like David K. said a while back, "I wouldn't recommend driving a large motorhome that route".. He's probably correct in saying that. I am not the only one to take that route over the last few years and once your through that 23 miles, the scenery is fantastic and the new highway is great. Not much traffic to deal with. Take your time and enjoy the scenery all the way to San Felipe. Yes, the VADO's can get a bit rough, but slow down when your going through them. They have filled most of the pot holes, so they really aren't bad any longer.. That route is not for everyone. I'm actually thinking of "HOWARD" after what he posted 4 months ago about going that way in his truck & camper..I'm sure Howard will not go that direction until it is completed.. Leaving from San Felipe going south, it is an easy drive to Guerro Negro.