BajaNomad

Driving from SJD to La Paz

Cliffy - 8-13-2022 at 05:28 PM

Driving to La Paz from SJD and trying to determine the best route
GMs shows going all the way around through Todos Santos
Haven't been there in a while and wondering if Route 1 north out of the airport is a better way?
Either way looks to be about 2-3 hrs
This will be mid September
Anyone done it recently?
Used to stop in Todos Santos for lunch
Is it still a good stop or is something else better?
Thanks for any help here guys Really appreciate it.

AKgringo - 8-13-2022 at 06:05 PM

I drove both of those roads in February 2020. I was in La Paz when the "Rona" was just getting started, so things were different! Other than Gas stations and grocery stops I couldn't tell you much about any good places to stop.

Both roads are good, and probably close in driving time, but I did a lot of stops to check out interesting places. I prefer the east side driving by Los Barriles, then up over the mountains.

The highway on the west coast actually by-passes Todos Santos now unless you choose to detour through town. It is a flatter, mostly straighter road than the east side.

If time is not an issue, and you have a fairly rugged vehicle, you might enjoy the dirt road just north of the airport that runs through the Los Naranjos ranch that rejoins the pavement south of Pescadero.

I enjoyed poking around the mountains on that road, but it is not for everyone.

gnukid - 8-13-2022 at 06:16 PM

San Jose Del Cabo is a different location than Cabo at the tip.

Whoops in reverse...

Many of us use go from La Paz, to Colosio up the road over the mountain to San Juan de Los Planes to San Antonio, to San Bartolo, to Los Barilles to San Jose, which is scenic with many places to stop.

Or you can go to Todos Santos, bypass the town and take the toll road to San Jose (not Cabo), which is convenient, but less scenic.

There is rain forecast this week periodically and at times its quite significant and dangerous, use your phones weather tool to get latest updates per city.

[Edited on 8-14-2022 by gnukid]

BajaBill74 - 8-14-2022 at 10:01 AM

I vote for Hwy 1 North. It's a beautiful drive.

tiotomasbcs - 8-14-2022 at 01:13 PM

Living in TS area we use the smooth, wide open hwy that paralells the Pacific Ocean and then hooks into .Toll Rd towards San Jose. San Jose North up past Los Barriles is beautiful but slow, windy road. Use one and then the other...then give us your Opinion?!

Cliffy - 8-14-2022 at 08:23 PM

Looking at each on the map trying to decide

AKgringo - 8-14-2022 at 08:29 PM

The west side is a good truck route. The east side is more of a scenic drive.

Cliffy - 8-14-2022 at 08:37 PM

Any speed traps on either route to take note of?

AKgringo - 8-14-2022 at 08:45 PM

Not a speed trap, but I have seen police set up an inspection point for northbound traffic just before you get to La Paz. I got waved through both times, and they seemed to be more interested in Mexico plated vehicles.

bajafreaks - 8-15-2022 at 07:01 AM

Quote: Originally posted by tiotomasbcs  
Living in TS area we use the smooth, wide open hwy that paralells the Pacific Ocean and then hooks into .Toll Rd towards San Jose. San Jose North up past Los Barriles is beautiful but slow, windy road. Use one and then the other...then give us your Opinion?!


Exactly what I was going to recommend, do a loop that way you see it both routes. Stop in El Triunfo for lunch.

BajaUtah - 8-15-2022 at 07:01 AM

From the airport I'd vote for the 1 north but you have a choice at San Antonio. I turn east and head for Los Planes instead of going to El Triunfo. The 286 from Los Planes to La Paz is a fast, direct shot and avoids the endless string of stop lights and the cop stop on the 1 just south of La Paz. The 286 puts you just east of La Paz on the Balandra road and makes a really easy shot into downtown if that's your final destination. As a bonus the view from the top of the Los Planes road back to Bahia de la Ventana is pretty spectacular.

For visual aid:

David K - 8-15-2022 at 07:23 AM





Cliffy - 8-15-2022 at 08:25 AM

Have printed up David's maps for the trip and have copied the BajaUtah comments

THANKS!
Haven't driven in that area in 20 years. Last time I drove from SJD to Cabo Pulmo along the coast road looking at ocean front property