cjacobs - 1-12-2017 at 09:30 PM
Hi we are new to this traveling from Alaska. We are heading south from San Felipe on the 5 and were wondering how the gas situation is in Gonzaga and
B of LA. Etc as well as the roads. Thanks in advance!
Bajazly - 1-12-2017 at 09:38 PM
The roads are fine, watch the vados south of San Felipe though and seems the gas situation is getting better. Kind of a day by day thing tho.
David K - 1-12-2017 at 10:40 PM
I could give you a detailed answer, but the gas crisis that popped up the day after my trip (Dec. 28-Jan. 3) kind of made that the new drama down
there. The good news is that it seems to be over as of Thursday.
Here is the trip report with details and photos: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=85374
fandango - 1-12-2017 at 10:59 PM
Welcome Cjacobs.
Check out talk Baja on Facebook. Lots of current information about this situation, which changes daily.
MMc - 1-13-2017 at 12:04 AM
You can almost always get gas in Baja, get into a town and ask around. It might not be cheap, but it will get you down the road.
Welcome also....
woody with a view - 1-13-2017 at 06:12 AM
Gas in BdeLA again.
Jack Swords - 1-13-2017 at 08:08 AM
We always carry a siphon tube. Have used it a couple of times. Ranchers, etc. have been most willing to siphon gas from their vehicles for our use
(and, of course, they are paid well for the gas). Also, asking around will usually locate someone who has several gas cans set aside and will share
for being well compensated.
cjacobs - 1-13-2017 at 08:50 AM
thanks. See you on the road.
GATO - 1-13-2017 at 08:57 AM
I emailed a couple of hotels about gas (magna) situation in BOLA. Both said no problem. That was from yesterday.
Alm - 1-13-2017 at 09:02 AM
All good info.
Here is my 2 cents:
Never take anything for granted in Baja. As noted, you can almost always get gas there. In small remote towns like Bay of LA those "almost" cases
happen more often than in other places though.
Fill your tank when you can, not when you need. There is gas today, there is none tomorrow. There can be no electricity and both gas stations in Bay
of LA won't be working on the exact day when you have to leave, and then what? Earlier this month a gas tanker truck couldn't get to the town (in
fact, to most towns in Mexico) because of the civil unrest. Price went up by ~20% after the govt decided to de-regulate the industry, people were
angry. Highway 1 was closed at San Quntin for 3 or 4 days.
David K - 1-13-2017 at 11:26 AM
As Alm would agree, get gas when you arrive in a town, not when you plan to leave.
BajaDanD - 1-14-2017 at 11:38 PM
4-5 times a year We go down through San Felipe and Gonzaga Heading south over to Mex1 and beyond. We fill up in San Felipe and top off in Gonzaga.
The Pemex station almost always had gas but a few times no power to pump it. on our way back through they had a portable generator that they would
start up only when people were there to buy gas. You can get gas across the road from the Pemex. That is where we used to get it before the Pemex was
put in Gonzaga. We always keep our tanks as full as possible. I've been in BOLA when both gas stations were out of gas and had to wait a day. You can
buy gas at the BOLA turn off Guys there selling it out of gas cans but its expensive. only had to do that once in 20 years. Don't get worried about it
just be prepared and have fun. Baja is always an adventure. Oh yeah and those vados south of San Felipe can get you airborne
PaulW - 1-15-2017 at 08:15 AM
The last two time I passed by the LAB turn there was nobody there selling gas. Don't plan on gas there.
Gas pumped at the Gonzaga station has always used a generator. If the attendant is awake the generator will be turned on when someone arrives for gas.
The price there is the 91 octane amount , but you get 87 octane. For really slow times there has been no attendant. In that case ask the security
guard or ask at El Rancho. For diesel you go to the El Rancho and ask, then drive around back where the pump is.
David K - 1-15-2017 at 09:01 AM
On Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016:
Gonzaga Pemex was 13.98/liter (the price for Magna 87, as it was at other stations). They offered an exchange of 19 pesos: dollar that day (I had
pesos).
The station was open and pumping diesel fuel on Jan. 3, when I drove by.
On Friday, Dec. 30, 2016 and again on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, there were two dealers selling gas at the L.A. Bay junction in front of the abandoned
parador cafeteria.
Hot showers advertised inside the parador building.
[Edited on 1-15-2017 by David K]
woody with a view - 1-15-2017 at 10:04 AM
If the guy isnt at the BdeLA turn his house is across the road south of the turn. Ask around. Pta Prieta sells fuel if you ask.