BajaNomad

La Rumorosa-safe to travel during day?

bajamary1952 - 8-1-2019 at 03:28 PM

I'm traveling from Yuma to Baja & never driven La Rumorosa. Is it O.K. to drive to Baja during day or better to take Tecate? Thanks!

David K - 8-1-2019 at 03:37 PM

If not during the day, then when? I have driven it many times both up and down... always in the daytime.
The La Rumorosa grade is a steep but 4-lane twisty climb. If mountain driving for a few miles is scary for you, I-8 is a better grade... but then the road to Campo/ Tecate USA is just 2-lane mountain road.

bajaguy - 8-1-2019 at 03:52 PM

Most direct route is Interstate 8 west to the Buckman Springs (County S-1) exit. Buckman Springs road to Campo then west on 94 to Tecate

We use this route all the time from Ensenada to Yuma and Tucson


[Edited on 8-1-2019 by bajaguy]

Maderita - 8-1-2019 at 03:57 PM

Mary, sorry your question is rather vague. The cuota (toll road (currently free) is a good highway, two lanes each direction. The Cantú Grade (aka Rumorosa grade) requires full attention due to slow trucks, etc. Keep in mind the desert is 110 F. In midday.
Best to cross the desert in the morning hours when it is cool. Going west from Mexicali, you will have the sun behind you. Late afternoon, the sun would be in your face all the way.

Maderita - 8-1-2019 at 04:27 PM

If you are traveling west to Tecate or Tijuana/Ensenada it is much more relaxed to take I-8. I would certainly want to avoid Mexicali traffic, especially in the summer heat.

StuckSucks - 8-1-2019 at 04:39 PM

2D (toll) has a loop to the south of Mexicali -- you miss all the traffic; it's wide open. The toll road up to Rumerosa is a no-brainer. All good.

David K - 8-1-2019 at 04:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Maderita  
If you are traveling west to Tecate or Tijuana/Ensenada it is much more relaxed to take I-8. I would certainly want to avoid Mexicali traffic, especially in the summer heat.


Agree... but avoid Mexicali (if you do go that way) by staying on the toll road around Mexicali (Hwy. 2-D) Libramiento de Mexicali.

wilderone - 8-1-2019 at 04:42 PM

There's also a checkpoint before the La Rumerosa climb. Cars and truck way backed up. Not sure if it's always like that, but thorough search.

bajabuddha - 8-1-2019 at 04:42 PM

Did the rumorosa grade..... ONCE. Top to bottom pulling a trailer.... way twisty-turny with a lot of big rigs and busses doing their usual zoom zooms. If you wanna do it to see it and hopefully you're not pulling a load, i'd do it bottom to top. However, all advice says I-8 is the way to go for sure. Dunno what you mean by 'safe' as Mexico driving has its' risks in general. Kinda goes with the old saying, "never drive the same road twice". Was my motto as a younger man.

Happy trails. :coolup:

David K - 8-1-2019 at 04:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
There's also a checkpoint before the La Rumerosa climb. Cars and truck way backed up. Not sure if it's always like that, but thorough search.


The trucks are in the right lane, but cars move through much quicker, in the left lane, at the checkpoint. Only been stopped for inspection there a couple of times and a cold drink was in their sight, so I shared!

Bajazly - 8-1-2019 at 07:50 PM

La Rumorosa is a great drive, twisty turny and steep but the views back to the east are great. Last time at the top I took the libre road thru the towns up there and it was fine. Good road and all fast driving with some taco stops if you want them. If you haven't driven it, I'd say do it, worth doing at least once.

mtgoat666 - 8-1-2019 at 08:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajamary1952  
I'm traveling from Yuma to Baja & never driven La Rumorosa. Is it O.K. to drive to Baja during day or better to take Tecate? Thanks!


yes, safe during day.
if going from yuma to TJ or ensenada, faster to take I-8, cross border at SY, and take coastal toll road south to ensenada.

bajaguy - 8-1-2019 at 08:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
yes, safe during day.
if going from yuma to TJ or ensenada, faster to take I-8, cross border at SY, and take coastal toll road south to ensenada.


Not quite. From Google maps:

Yuma to Ensenada, via San Diego - 4 hours, 24 minutes - 255 miles (+ tolls)

Yuma to Ensenada, Via I-8 and Tecate - 3 hours, 58 minutes - 205 miles

Yuma to Ensenada, Via La Rumorosa and Tecate - 5 hours - 213 miles (+ tolls)

[Edited on 8-2-2019 by bajaguy]

willardguy - 8-1-2019 at 09:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly  
La Rumorosa is a great drive, twisty turny and steep but the views back to the east are great. Last time at the top I took the libre road thru the towns up there and it was fine. Good road and all fast driving with some taco stops if you want them. If you haven't driven it, I'd say do it, worth doing at least once.


yes amazing views.....go for it!:yes:

mtgoat666 - 8-1-2019 at 09:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
yes, safe during day.
if going from yuma to TJ or ensenada, faster to take I-8, cross border at SY, and take coastal toll road south to ensenada.


Not quite. From Google maps:

Yuma to Ensenada, via San Diego - 4 hours, 24 minutes - 255 miles (+ tolls)

Yuma to Ensenada, Via I-8 and Tecate - 3 hours, 58 minutes - 205 miles

Yuma to Ensenada, Via La Rumorosa and Tecate - 5 hours - 213 miles (+ tolls)

[Edited on 8-2-2019 by bajaguy]


If you read it on the internet, then it must be true, eh? :lol::lol:

KasloKid - 8-1-2019 at 11:02 PM

If I'm in a hurry to get to Ensenada from Yuma, I'll take I-8/Highway 94 to Tecate then Mex 3 to Ensenada. Your time of 4 hours is spot on.

I prefer your third option, via La Rumorosa... it takes me longer than 5 hours as I always stop in at the La Cabaña Del Abuelo restaurant in La Rumorosa for lunch. Military check point at the bottom of the hill has never been a long wait for me.
Without a lunch stop and/or other delay(s), your time of 5 hours is also spot on.

bajaguy - 8-2-2019 at 06:45 PM

Actually, I have driven all 3. The I-8 Tecate route is hands down the quickest, and easiest.
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
yes, safe during day.
if going from yuma to TJ or ensenada, faster to take I-8, cross border at SY, and take coastal toll road south to ensenada.


Not quite. From Google maps:

Yuma to Ensenada, via San Diego - 4 hours, 24 minutes - 255 miles (+ tolls)

Yuma to Ensenada, Via I-8 and Tecate - 3 hours, 58 minutes - 205 miles

Yuma to Ensenada, Via La Rumorosa and Tecate - 5 hours - 213 miles (+ tolls)

[Edited on 8-2-2019 by bajaguy]


If you read it on the internet, then it must be true, eh? :lol::lol:

Bajazly - 8-2-2019 at 07:17 PM

I'm looking forward to doing the "Old La Rumorosa Road" both ways but that is an entirely different discussion and prolly best done in the fall or spring:bounce: If anyone is looking for a fun little day trip out of SF or heading that way, LMK.

RocketJSquirrel - 8-3-2019 at 09:56 AM

It's a great drive. And a nice counterpoint to I-8 on the other side. Rode it on a dual-sport and quite enjoyed it. Not much traffic, but certainly nothing to worry about.

Welcome to the forum!

AKgringo - 8-3-2019 at 10:15 AM

Quote: Originally posted by RocketJSquirrel  
It's a great drive. And a nice counterpoint to I-8 on the other side. Rode it on a dual-sport and quite enjoyed it. Not much traffic, but certainly nothing to worry about.


Good to see a first time post with information to share! I came here the first time asking questions, which I guess is an ok way to start.

My only trip up the grade was in late March, 2018. On that day, the traffic was fairly heavy with lots of trucks. It was quite a spectacular climb, and I enjoyed most of it, but drove into a thick fog bank about two thirds of the way up. The fun stopped right then!

RocketJSquirrel - 8-3-2019 at 10:24 AM

Thank you!

It might have just been when I went (July 31, 2017) - but there was not much traffic that day - so it was easy to look around and just enjoy it.

Would I drive it again?

AKgringo - 8-3-2019 at 10:56 AM

Absolutely! For me, the journey is as important as the destination, and that was a fun drive even with the fog.

Maybe I can join Bajazly this fall, I have wanted to drive the old Rumorosa grade for a while now. My plan would be to head south through the Parque National, maybe camping somewhere along the way depending on time of day and distractions.

PaulW - 8-3-2019 at 02:04 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajamary1952  
I'm traveling from Yuma to Baja & never driven La Rumorosa. Is it O.K. to drive to Baja during day or better to take Tecate? Thanks!

======= =
Yes safe. 2 lanes all the way that are plenty wide for trucks and your SUV at the same time. The road is a must to travel. Take your time and stop along the way for the views and pictures. It is really an amazing highway. The trip is something anyone should enjoy.

Bajazly - 8-4-2019 at 10:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Absolutely! For me, the journey is as important as the destination, and that was a fun drive even with the fog.

Maybe I can join Bajazly this fall, I have wanted to drive the old Rumorosa grade for a while now. My plan would be to head south through the Parque National, maybe camping somewhere along the way depending on time of day and distractions.


AK, anytime. I'll be in SF full time in a week or two depending on logistics of shipping my stuff and my container getting out of here but come Friday, I am homeless in Cali.