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WideAngleWandering
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Posts: 416
Registered: 3-13-2012
Location: US-Based but traveling
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Seattle to Asuncion - fastest route to maximize my baja time
Howdy Nomads,
I'm back .. but this time on a short two week vacation from Seattle. I'm going to drive long hauls as much as feasible on the way down.
Departing Seattle on Thursday morning.
One night in Sacramento
Arriving Bahia Asuncion by mid-day Sunday.
1836 miles. http://goo.gl/maps/380tX
Some Questions:
How would you route and schedule stopovers? I'm probably driving solo, willing to go up to 12-14 hours a day, and willing to drive at odd hours
if it means dodging a lot of socal traffic.
Mexicali or Tecate border crossing? Tecate is nice and small. Mexicali is a bit chaotic at first, and farther out of my way.
Considering Highway 3 from Tecate to just north of Ensenada. I think i've driven this before (through wine country?) and remember it being a
decent highway. Good plan?
How long would you set aside to drive from Tecate to Asuncion? I fear it is a 2 day drive, minimum.
Where is a decent (cheap, not gross) place to stay (or camp) south of Ensenada (within a 4-8 hour drive from Asuncion)?
I'll be driving Betsy, the reliable but slow old truck. She can hit 75mph on the freeway but I tend to cruise at 55-60. Mountain passes are slow
climbs.
Recommendations?
[Edited on 2014-2-24 by WideAngleWandering]
Traveling the Americas via my old land cruiser
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Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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I would Cross at Tecate. The road through Guadalupe Valley to Ensenada is much improved.
You can stay at Los Olivos campground in San Quintin. It is about three hours south of Ensenada. Approx 150 mls
If you want a hotel Jardines is next door. Call to reserve to be safe. Lots of room at the campground tho.
Id say t is a day and a half from Tecate to asuncion.
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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It is best to drive through socal from 9AM to 2PM during daylight hours, but you will still encounter some traffic on hwy5 around the downtown LA
area. And there is always a chance of encountering an accident. If you leave the Bakersfield area around 8AM you should pass the corridor of traffic
all the way to the border before it picks up. The night time, however, is best of all.
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AlanDow
Junior Nomad
Posts: 38
Registered: 1-23-2011
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I have made several trips from Roseburg Oregon to Asuncion over the last six months, and since it is an easy 8 hour drive from San Quintin to
Asuncion, I always stay at Jardines in San Quintin. And I agree with Skipjack Joe that the best time to run the so Cal gauntlet is between the
morning and afternoon rush hours. So I usually plan to stay the night just north of LA (Buttonwillow or Gorman) this gets me though So Cal in the
morning, and gets me to San Quintin before dark.
However if you are planning on arriving in Asuncion on Sunday, that means you are likely to pass through so Cal on Saturday which should improve your
chances of missing bad traffic no matter what time you pass through (without the weekday commuters to contend with).
Also there are a few major routes through so Cal (I-5, 405, 210/15) so I always tune in KFI on the am radio as soon as I can and monitor their traffic
updates so I can adjust my route if there is an accident.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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I have found that when traveling from the PNW, it is quicker and less stressful to take highway 395. Under ideal conditions, I5 is probably a bit
faster but your chances of a hang ups due to heavy traffic, road construction, or weather are much higher. The bonus of driving 395 is the gorgeous
scenery, no traffic, and the ability to pull over and stretch your legs whenever you want.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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RnR
Senior Nomad
Posts: 839
Registered: 5-1-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
I have found that when traveling from the PNW, it is quicker and less stressful to take highway 395. Under ideal conditions, I5 is probably a bit
faster but your chances of a hang ups due to heavy traffic, road construction, or weather are much higher. The bonus of driving 395 is the gorgeous
scenery, no traffic, and the ability to pull over and stretch your legs whenever you want. |
I agree. I thoroughly dislike the I-5 corridor.
Hwy 395, to I-15, to I-215, to Tecate.
Just check the snow forecast from about Alturas to Bishop. If it's not actively snowing, the roads will be clear within 8 hours of the end of any
storm.
Absolutely beautiful scenery this time of year.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Next time try the I-15 instead of the 215. You can eliminate the corridor and traffic from north of San Bernardino to Corona.
Also, if he wants to cover ground in the least amount of time, straight down the I-5, then Mex 1. It will take longer to take the 94 then Hwy 3 to
Ensenada
| Quote: | Originally posted by RnR
I agree. I thoroughly dislike the I-5 corridor.
Hwy 395, to I-15, to I-215, to Tecate. |
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 19320
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by WideAngleWandering
Seattle to Asuncion - fastest route to maximize my baja time
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Take san ysidro xing.
Avoid Sacramento, LA and San Diego at rush hour
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 19320
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by RnR
| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
I have found that when traveling from the PNW, it is quicker and less stressful to take highway 395. Under ideal conditions, I5 is probably a bit
faster but your chances of a hang ups due to heavy traffic, road construction, or weather are much higher. The bonus of driving 395 is the gorgeous
scenery, no traffic, and the ability to pull over and stretch your legs whenever you want. |
I agree. I thoroughly dislike the I-5 corridor.
Hwy 395, to I-15, to I-215, to Tecate.
Just check the snow forecast from about Alturas to Bishop. If it's not actively snowing, the roads will be clear within 8 hours of the end of any
storm.
Absolutely beautiful scenery this time of year. |
395 is pretty, but much slower than 5. Also, 395 has winter weather problems, and has ski traffic at start and end of each weekend (though this year
ski season has been cancelled).
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boe4fun
Super Nomad
Posts: 1040
Registered: 1-22-2006
Location: Margaritaville
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Mood: Circling the drain........
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W-A-W, Shoot me a U2U, maybe we can caravan down together.
Two dirt roads diverged in Baja and I, I took the one less graveled by......
Soy ignorante, apático y ambivalente. No lo sé y no me importa, ni modo.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mtgoat666
| Quote: | Originally posted by RnR
| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
I have found that when traveling from the PNW, it is quicker and less stressful to take highway 395. Under ideal conditions, I5 is probably a bit
faster but your chances of a hang ups due to heavy traffic, road construction, or weather are much higher. The bonus of driving 395 is the gorgeous
scenery, no traffic, and the ability to pull over and stretch your legs whenever you want. |
I agree. I thoroughly dislike the I-5 corridor.
Hwy 395, to I-15, to I-215, to Tecate.
Just check the snow forecast from about Alturas to Bishop. If it's not actively snowing, the roads will be clear within 8 hours of the end of any
storm.
Absolutely beautiful scenery this time of year. |
395 is pretty, but much slower than 5. Also, 395 has winter weather problems, and has ski traffic at start and end of each weekend (though this year
ski season has been cancelled). |
I have had much worse weather related delays on Siskiyou Pass than I ever
have on 395.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
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Mood: mellow
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I-5 over the Grapevine, then I-210 east to I-15.
Then I-805 to the border. Lot faster than going through Tecate.
Been doing this for 25 years, so know what I'm talking about.
Used to go east out of Bakersfield to 395, but now the traffic around Ypsilante is getting as bad as LA, so the 210 is better and faster.
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BajaBlanca
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Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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If you have food and water in your vehicle and only stop for gas, from the border to la bocana is 12 hours. I have done this by myself, but the
Brazilian in me really steps on the gas when there is a starightaway with no traffic.
I imagine the border to Asuncion would be the same 12 hours.
Have a wonderful trip!
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5912
Registered: 7-18-2011
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Let's say you leave Sacramento Friday morning. You're looking at a 8-9 hour drive until you're past LA and SD traffic and hitting the border. So I'd
either wake up really early (5AM) or sleep in and leave at 8AM. Either way and any way it's a crapshoot. I'd go with 5AM. That should get you to
the border by 3PM, with enough time to make some progress into Mexico. Maybe stay in Ensenada Friday night. That would get you to Asuncion by
Saturday night. Or take it slow and make some stops and arrive Sunday.
Hotels 4-8 hours from Asuncion? Catavina. El Rosario. San Quintin.
Oh, and I'd take I-5 to I-405 and avoid the 3 lane stretch of I-5 that doesn't end until La Mirada. Stay on I-405 till you hit the 73 toll road South
to the I-5 again.
I would do San Ysidro if you're looking at speed and time considerations.
Have fun.
[Edited on 2-24-2014 by Ateo]
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DianaT
Select Nomad
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Registered: 12-17-2004
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We are expecting a well needed storm this weekend in the Eastern Sierra and they are quick to put on chain restrictions especially over certain passes
on 395. But if it is open, it sure beats going through LA. I also agree on I-15 and not I-215. Do carry chains even if you don't intend on using
them. If they have the carry chains restriction going and you get stopped for anything else, they will check to see if you have chains.
To check road conditions anywhere in CA, call 1-800.427.7623. We find the information quite up to the moment for weather conditions, accidents,
constructions, etc.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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I see you planned your trip on the biggest rainstorm in a looong time down here! oh,wait, you're from seattle, you probably won't even notice!
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 19320
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ateo
Oh, and I'd take I-5 to I-405 and avoid the 3 lane stretch of I-5 that doesn't end until La Mirada. Stay on I-405 till you hit the 73 toll road South
to the I-5 again.
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i dunno... i think 405 thru west LA is always bad, it's bad 24/7. i just stick to the 5. it just lasts an hour or so. and your reward is good car
pool lanes in OC
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BornFisher
Super Nomad
Posts: 2115
Registered: 1-11-2005
Location: K-38 Santa Martha/Encinitas
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Map Quest says I-5 all the way. Beats 395 by 2 hours.
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WideAngleWandering
Nomad
Posts: 416
Registered: 3-13-2012
Location: US-Based but traveling
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As always, a diversity of opinions. In summary, the best route is any one of the available routes.  Keep in mind that I'll be driving an '84 diesel Landcruiser. Slow and steady.
I've considered:
I-5 to 395, crossing at Tecate. I like this crossing. A bit concerned about road conditions up north and at high elevation (Willamette Pass,
Oregon? Somewhere in California?).
I-5 all the way to Tijuana. Cross in San Diego?
I-5 to just north of the grapevine, then 210, I15 and I805, crossing at San Ysidro. Never crossed here.
That said, I'm leaning towards the last route for the US leg.
New questions:
Can anyone describe where I can park at San Ysidro and find the office for a tourist card? I've never been asked for one in Baja but I'd rather
avoid the hassle and just have it on hand.
Will that office giving out tourist cards on weekends?
What is a realistic drive time from San Ysidro to San Quintin?
[Edited on 2014-2-24 by WideAngleWandering]
Traveling the Americas via my old land cruiser
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5912
Registered: 7-18-2011
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If you're taking your time it'll be four hours from San Ysidro to San Q.
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