BajaNomad

Any truck stops / rest areas in Baja?

US 41 - 6-9-2021 at 11:01 AM

This might be strange to some people, but when I travel across the US, Canada, and mainland Mexico I have been known to camp out in my car at various truck stops and rest areas. I was sort of wondering if there are any good truck stops along Highways 1 and 5 throughout the Peninsula. Surely the truckers sleep somewhere right?

SFandH - 6-9-2021 at 11:08 AM

Large PEMEX stations are a good place to spend the night in a camper/trailer.

We've stayed at the Los Pinos station, a bit south of San Quintin, a couple of times.

Because of security concerns I wouldn't recommend just pulling off to the side of the road.

Lots of truckers stay in their trucks at small restaurants along the road.

motoged - 6-9-2021 at 03:47 PM

.... but no truck stops or rest areas as you know them in Canada and USA..... reply above is sensible advice.

David K - 6-9-2021 at 04:24 PM

On the toll highways, which are in the north border corridor and to Ensenada. They are at or near the toll gates. They are not roomy or as large as those north of the border.

Travel in Baja is not at all like north of the border... in many other ways, it is better!

What are you driving?

AKgringo - 6-9-2021 at 04:40 PM

Unless you are driving an RV, or towing something large, you can usually find a hidden spot near the highway. I like following an arroyo, an old detour, gravel pit, or ranch road to find a "rest area", but it is tough to do after the sun goes down!

On my first trip to Bahia Asuncion, I was running late, and didn't get there until after dark. I asked the Pemex station where I could camp, and they showed me what they thought was a safe spot right next to the station.

The next morning, I realized that I was just about a stones throw from the campground I was looking for, Shari's Campo Sirena!

[Edited on 6-9-2021 by AKgringo]

US 41 - 6-9-2021 at 06:33 PM

Thanks for all the awesome responses! I drove to Mazatlan a few years ago from Texas and found a few Pemex truck stops along the way. On the autopista between Torreon and Durango (city) there were several "oasis's" as we'd call them in the Midwest that had gasoline and a c-store right on the tollway. I spent 2 nights at the one in Cuencame, once on the way to Mazatlan and once on the way back to Texas.

I've actually found quite a few truck stops with showers in the mainland of Mexico using Google Maps. Interestingly enough the Mexican way to say shower is regadera, rather than ducha. So when you read reviews on GM that are automatically translated about the truck stops, the phrase "watering cans" will pop up as a most reviewed subject. Watering cans in this case actually means showers.

Baja seems to be lacking in truck stops, but I did seem to find one just south of CD Constitucion that apparently has showers. Part of my interest in this subject is that I am actually a truck driver here in the states.

And I won't be in an RV, just a little 4 door car.

[Edited on 6-10-2021 by US 41]

JZ - 6-9-2021 at 07:02 PM

There are a bunch of very inexpensive motels all over Hwy 1.

4x4abc - 6-10-2021 at 04:08 AM

Pemex La Cuesta at the foot of La Rumorosa is a truck stop, great showers

BajaBlanca - 6-10-2021 at 06:54 AM

AKGringo, the pemex is indeed RIGHT there by Campo Sirena LOL

US 41 - 6-10-2021 at 09:47 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
Pemex La Cuesta at the foot of La Rumorosa is a truck stop, great showers


I just looked it up on Google Maps and that looks like the kind of place I would stay at in my truck on a regular basis. Got to love the old school truck stops with real restaurants in them still. I'll definitely be checking that place out when I drive through La Rumorosa this winter.

Archie - 6-10-2021 at 10:26 AM

I recall seen showers for truckers at El Descanso, some 40-50 miles south of El Rosario, and at Mauricio´s in Nvo. Rosarito. The parking lot its big enough to acomodate several trucks for the night.

Also north of La Paz, dont know the exact name of the place, just passing El Centenario, they offer the whole package: showers, drugs and lot lizards

[Edited on 6-10-2021 by Archie]

msteve1014 - 6-10-2021 at 03:55 PM

Some of the small hotels have a price for a shower only, many are posted out front.

US 41 - 6-18-2021 at 07:01 PM

Well I found 5 truck stops total in all of Baja.

*Pemex La Cuesta Rest Area - just east of La Rumorosa; thanks to 4X4abc

*VP Fuels / Pemex - located in Villa Alberto which is about 50 miles southeast of Guerrero Negro on MX 1. Not sure if it has showers though.

*Pemex- located in Cd Insurgentes. Doesn't seem to have showers but has huge lot for trucks and RVs.

*Servicio Truck Stop - located in Cd Constitucion. One reviewer on Google Maps said they have showers.

* Pemex- located on southside of La Paz. A couple of reviewers said that they have showers and one mentioned that they also had laundry.

Unfortunately there weren't a lot of reviews for the 4 in Baja Sir but I can't imagine that there is a whole lot of truck traffic in those parts either. In Sonora it seemed like there were more. I'd be curious as to if they sell pocket truck stop locator books in Mexican truck stops like they do up here in ours. On the mainland it seemed like the most common price for a shower is 40 pesos (2 dollars).

Truck traffic

AKgringo - 6-18-2021 at 08:17 PM

Quote; "Unfortunately there weren't a lot of reviews for the 4 in Baja Sir but I can't imagine that there is a whole lot of truck traffic in those parts either."

I could be wrong, but I don't think any freight comes into the Los Cabos area by sea anymore. That means there has to be a lot of truck traffic from the port at Pichilinque or down from Baja Norte.

4x4abc - 6-18-2021 at 09:15 PM

A LOT OF TRUCK TRAFFIC!

in fact, La Paz is building a new highway for the truck traffic, to keep them out of town
the building boom in Los Cabos is not slowing down - it is exploding

bypass.jpg - 227kB

msteve1014 - 6-19-2021 at 04:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by US 41  
Well I found 5 truck stops total in all of Baja.



*VP Fuels / Pemex - located in Villa Alberto which is about 50 miles southeast of Guerrero Negro on MX 1. Not sure if it has showers though.


"almost sure" they do have showers, never needed one there. It looks like it does. Does anyone know if it is a VP station now? I was last there in 12/19, on my way north.

wilderone - 6-19-2021 at 06:26 PM

There are hundreds of places to pull off the highway, including campgrounds for nominal fee, that are way better than staying overnight in a stinky gas station with traffic and people coming and going. What is your route? Whatever it is, I'll give you 5 spots.

David K - 6-19-2021 at 07:50 PM

You can have a really nice motel room for about $40 in El Rosario (Baja Cactus, next to gas station) and in San Ignacio (La Huerta, just past the mission).

US 41 - 7-9-2021 at 09:13 AM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Large PEMEX stations are a good place to spend the night in a camper/trailer.

We've stayed at the Los Pinos station, a bit south of San Quintin, a couple of times.

Because of security concerns I wouldn't recommend just pulling off to the side of the road.

Lots of truckers stay in their trucks at small restaurants along the road.


It appears that the Pinos Station has a shower too.

There's also a restaurant in Punta Prieta called Maria's that is open 24/7 and appears to have shower services for drivers and travelers according to a couple of reviews on Google Maps.

David K - 7-9-2021 at 10:16 AM

Yes, that restaurant is open late for trucker clients. It is on the east side of the highway, south of the entrance paved road into the old village.

C205Driver - 7-9-2021 at 03:02 PM

David… might consider this information for your next map update?!

David K - 7-9-2021 at 05:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by C205Driver  
David… might consider this information for your next map update?!


Specifically what? The restaurant?
Maybe that can be added to the Nomad Kilometer list?
I can check on Google Street View, but about Km. 14, I would guess?
Thanks!
PS Anyone here can submit additions for the list in that thread, on the Nomad Road Conditions forum.