Left at 6 am from Encinitas and took 8 to Mexicali it was a mess 6+ inches of snow with many stuck cars. The pathfinder was awesome in the snow and
handled it no problem had to off road a bit to get around several stuck rigs. Got through and as we came do the hill the CHP closed 8 we were told
until 2 or so that afternoon.
Got to the border parked just before the crossing at the immigration building, went in got out visas stamped and were on our way and through the
border in about 10 minutes for 6 of us. Super quick easy and fast. A couple of us paid there and a couple had prepaid from Discover Baja it did not
make much of a time difference other than filling on the visa in person
This is the first time in 30 years of driving in Baja where it rained on us the entire drive, crazy. Rain was hard at times and always steady.
5 was in great shape. South of San Felipe much of the road has a new top and is nice and smooth. The long spots of construction and detours north of
Puertocitos are much less and there is a lot of new pavement. North of Gonzaga many of the bridge washouts have been repaired and just a few remain.
South of Gonzaga and over to the 1 was incredible. Over the last few years it would take us on average 1:10-1:20 minutes to cross this 22 mile
section of road. This year it took us 20 minutes. Almost all is paved, and regular speed travel was no problem. There is just a 1 mile section of
hard packed (smoothish) dirt road left to pave. I set the odometer when it started and it was just about exactly a mile when it ended.
South from the turn off at 1 was smooth and mostly great shape all the way to Punta Chivato.
***be aware south of GN we saw Federales using radar both coming and going. On the way north a red SUV went flying by me and 10 minutes later he was
pulled over on the side of the road. The cops were literally out of their cars and pointing to drivers that were speeding to pull over.
North on Jan 4 road was in good shape did have about a 30 minute road work delay about 20 miles south of Punta Prieta and we had about 15 minute delay
at the big construction south of Ensenada.
All checkpoints were courteous and I would even say most were friendly. We only had to gat out of the car at one and that was the last checkpoint
south of Ensenada. No issues at all.
Traffic was pretty light and today 1/4, we crossed at Tecate in 31 minutes. Got in line at 11:27am.
Stayed at Terra Sal on the way south. I like the hotel but was not happy the the AC units are only AC and no heat it was cold and no blankets on the
beds just a sheet and the top very thin decorative bed comforter. Great hotel new, clean and allow dogs but the blankets was weird. We had blankets
in our car so made it work. Ate at Malarimmo and had a great dinner.
Stayed at Jardines on the way north and everything was great. We love the restaurant and the meal last night did not disappoint. Although they did
not have crab last night which was a bummer but the bacon wrapped shrimp and Melanesia Nortena was awesome.
All in all a fantastic trip and best driving condition even with the rain we have had in years. There was no running water on the road which was a
surprise.
Ron in BC - 1-5-2020 at 03:25 PM
Thanks for the update. That's the kind of news I like. I'm leaving in 3 weeks. Last Feb. it was "never again on 5". Unless some disaster hits
between now and the end of the month I'm really going to appreciate the new conditions.
RonAKgringo - 1-5-2020 at 03:54 PM
Thanks for the update, I hope to be on that road about the same time as Ron. Baja is sounding pretty good to me, I am in Anchorage right now, and it
was -10 F this morning!
[Edited on 1-5-2020 by AKgringo]mooose29 - 1-7-2020 at 12:03 AM
I’m with you guys after last year I was in the never again crowd but I’m glad I changed my mind. Whale-ista - 1-7-2020 at 11:46 PM
Thanks for the trip report and road updates.
It sounds like there are no checkpoints on Hwy 5- is that correct?
Or just not mentioned?AKgringo - 1-7-2020 at 11:56 PM
I have not driven 5 yet this year, but there should be two check points that I know of. There is the one just south of the junction with highway
three, and another just north of Gonzaga Bay.Bajazly - 1-8-2020 at 12:49 AM
I have not driven 5 yet this year, but there should be two check points that I know of. There is the one just south of the junction with highway
three, and another just north of Gonzaga Bay.
Yes, both operational as of a few days ago.PaulW - 1-8-2020 at 07:49 AM
And both those checkpoints are non events. No delays and no inspections.David K - 1-8-2020 at 09:01 AM
I have not driven 5 yet this year, but there should be two check points that I know of. There is the one just south of the junction with highway
three, and another just north of Gonzaga Bay.
Checkpoint by Hwy. 3 jcn.: Km. 141.5
Checkpoint at Gonzaga Bay: Km. 145
Checkpoints
Whale-ista - 1-8-2020 at 09:15 AM
Thanks for the replies. Just considering my travel options, and wanted to factor in possible checkpoint waits/inspections on Hwy 1 vs. Hwy 5/1 as well
as traffic Ron in BC - 1-8-2020 at 10:48 AM
OK, now I'm confused, nothing new there.
There's more than 3 1/2 km between the intersection of 3 and Gonzaga Bay. Aren't the km numbers continuous from the border South?
