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gallesram
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Driving at night
I'm familiar with (and always follow) the very good advice of not driving at night in Baja. That said, I have also found that there are exceptions
(like the toll road between TJ & Ensenada, which I have driven at night on many occasions without incident). I typically don't go further than
Ensenada at night, but one time decided to keep going to San Quintin and made it just after nightfall; I remember thinking "that wasn't so bad; maybe
San Quintin would be as far as I should go at night". But then the stretch to El Rosario & the Baja Cactus isn't that much further, either.
I guess I'm wondering if people would go as far as El Rosario at night? I definitely wouldn't go further due to the increase in animals south, but
would be interested in people's perspective.
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captkw
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night driving
HOLA,the inshure company's due survey's in the us..and they find you chance's of getting in a wreck are 90percent at night,,now that's the us,,,,,and
no,,mexico does not stop at night,,matter fact,that when the trucker's roll !!but,,myself,I have found that driving early bird and getting off the
road before 3 has a lot of benie's,,driven to alaska to panama,and more mile's than anybody I've ever met,,,,so for me,,I try and not drive at night
and I'm usally towing a boat,,but it happen's,,and when it does,,,,,,,,SLOW DOWN !! K&T
[Edited on 2-23-2012 by captkw]
[Edited on 2-23-2012 by captkw]
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Woooosh
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I would have the thought the TJ to Ensenada part was the more dangerous section.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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TMW
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I usually don't drive at night but have on many occasions, just not late night. The main reason I don't like driving at night reguardless whether it
is in the US or Mexico is that I just don't see as well. As is said slow down and pay attention. As far as going on to El Rosario go for it.
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DENNIS
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It's not the crime and it's not the darkness or anything like that for me. It's the potholes. Even daytime driving around here requires a constant
eye on the road surface.
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captkw
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| Quote: | Originally posted by captkw
HOLA,the inshure company's due survey's in the us..and they find you chance's of getting in a wreck are 90percent at night,,now that's the us,,,,,and
no,,mexico does not stop at night,,matter fact,that when the trucker's roll !!but,,myself,I have found that driving early bird and getting off the
road before 3 has a lot of benie's,,driven to alaska to panama,and more mile's than anybody I've ever met,,,,so for me,,I try and not drive at night
and I'm usally towing a boat,,but it happen's,,and when it does,,,,,,,,SLOW DOWN !! K&T
[Edited on 2-23-2012 by captkw]
[Edited on 2-23-2012 by captkw] |
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gallesram
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Agree with (and appreciate) the comments; except the toll road is the safest road for me since I have yet to encounter an animal and the road surface
is generally very good. Has anyone had an issue with crime at night? I have focused more on animals and potholes (as well as people driving with
their lights off) as being the real concerns.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by gallesram
Has anyone had an issue with crime at night? |
Well....it has happened. Seems it runs in cycles. The criminals get uppity and the police, prompted by tourism concerns, put it down. I've often
thought they all come to these conclusions in a seedy bar somewhere.
There really is no pattern of bad activity on the roads at this time that I've heard of, but crime is like porn. You'll know it when you see it and
there are two things that come out at night that I can readily think of....c-ckroaches and criminals.
Don't drive at night.
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sancho
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Logic dictates the obvious, I do remember someone
driving at nite and being able to see headlights of
cars and did not consider it more dangerous, I would
disagree. I was on a TJ/La Paz bus yrs. back, those
drive straight thru, 1 time the bus driver that was not
driving was pointing out landmarks between Rosarito
Ensenada, I realized this was this kid driver's first time down
the Peninsula, oh boy. So. of El Rosario we must
have been going 80 mph, I was in the front seat, so
I had a picture of a cow coming thru the windshield. Just about
the time I was going to say forget it, and get off, this
20 yr old woman came up and sat next to the driver
at which time he slowed to 55 or so, what a relief
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captkw
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bimp/bump
| Quote: | Originally posted by captkw
| Quote: | Originally posted by captkw
HOLA,the inshure company's due survey's in the us..and they find you chance's of getting in a wreck are 90percent at night,,now that's the us,,,,,and
no,,mexico does not stop at night,,matter fact,that when the trucker's roll !!but,,myself,I have found that driving early bird and getting off the
road before 3 has a lot of benie's,,driven to alaska to panama,and more mile's than anybody I've ever met,,,,so for me,,I try and not drive at night
and I'm usally towing a boat,,but it happen's,,and when it does,,,,,,,,SLOW DOWN !! K&T
[Edited on 2-23-2012 by captkw]
[Edited on 2-23-2012 by captkw] |
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Sunman
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I broke my rule on my latest trip. It got dark on me around San Vicente and I drove through to El Rosario and stopped for dinner, then decided to
press on another hour to my usual campsite near Catavina.
I have KC's which helped greatly but I must tell you it was far more stressful than I thought it would be. Notwithstanding other drivers and
livestock, it' s definintely harder to see the potholes, but more importantly you can't always see the edge of the road either which could be
disastrous for you. Factor that in with the necessary constant scan of the road in daylight hours you need to be extra vigilant at night. Plus at that
point you've probably been driving for 6 or 7 hours already, fatigue can be a factor too. Poorly adjusted headlights and people who don't dim their
lights really wear on your eyes too.
I'm not saying it can't be done safely but there is w/o a doubt MUCH more risk. I was really surprised how bad it affected me at the end of the day.
I'll think twice before pressing on again.
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Mula
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Why try to make El Rosario at night ????? for dinner at Mama Espinosa's?????
No more for me. Catavina or San Quintin!
Love the Baja Cactus, but tired of a bad meal after I get out of the truck and don't want to go to the other end of town for a meal.
Also there's the fog in the AM.
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Cypress
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Driving at night is no problem, just keep the high beams on and your eyes open.
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bill erhardt
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
Driving at night is no problem, just keep the high beams on and your eyes open.
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And/or, find a rabbit, the bigger the better, and stay back a hundred yards, or so. A bus or an empty tractor/trailer is ideal. Let the rabbit blow
the livestock off the road and the oncoming traffic back on their side.
I would rather not to drive at night, but if circumstances dictate and I have a choice, I much prefer the predawn hours to early evening hours after
nightfall. Most of the livestock has done its wandering for the night, there are a lot less drunks on the road, and fewer drivers rushing to get
where they want to be.
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gallesram
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Sunman, that's what I have experienced too; it does wipe you out driving at night. In fact, you mentioning that made me remember that's one of the
reasons I avoid it.
Mula, I really don't care for El Rosario (and I won't eat at Espinosa's anymore) but the stretch to Catavina is so remote that I'd rather do it in the
daylight. I'm always worried about the animals, too, and I always seem to find them in that stretch.
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bigzaggin
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I've tried hard over the years to obey a strict "no driving at night" policy - and heading S - try to cross at VERY first light. But of course, I've
broken my own rule more than a few times. And yes, the stretch between TJ and Ensenada can be hairy. Last time I did that in the dark, there was a
stretch where it was down to one lane - BOTH directions - and very hard to read oncoming traffic.
The fact is, it's really easy to talk yourself into going JUUUST A BIT further, but there is some logic to the San Quintin or Catavina theory.
Especially San Quintin heading S. You think it's juuuust a hop to El Rosario, but the stretch at/around Socorro is HAIRBALL at night. Zero shoulder,
zooming big rigs and people fly on those straightaways.
S of El Rosario at night, forget it. Can you do it safely, sure. Is it worth it? No. No vale.
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David K
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Many times have driven at night to EL ROSARIO because staying at BAJA CACTUS is well worth it! I would pick up Baja Angel at 5:00pm from her work and
be at Baja Cactus by midnight... Never any problem... We would have dinner on the way down at the Halfway House or Tacos El Yaqui or another spot.
Why are you guys stuck on Mama Espinoza's? There are many OTHER places to eat in El Rosario!! Too many taco stands to name, but for sure try Ed's
Baja's Best Bed & Breakfast Bar & Restaurant... It is on the other end of twon, 2 miles from Baja Cactus. Hugo's Tacos Mision has killer
stuffed baked potatoes and giant burritos, too. Ateo's trip report mentioned another good restaurant even closer to Baja Cactus. Primo's La Bocana
Beach Restaurant at the Sinahi Motel is another option...
I made a map in 2006 showing all the businesses along the highway with restaurants highlighted, but things do change... Here it is:
EDIT: Ateo's post with mention of a new restaurant called 'Mi Casita'... and the photograph of it shows it is next to or across the highway from the
tire repair (#19 on my map) and the police station (#20).
[Edited on 2-24-2012 by David K]
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CP
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After many years of never driving at night in Baja because of animals, bad roads, other vehicles lack of lights,, no road construction 'notice', etc
etc we thought well what the heck just between La Paz and Cd. Const. and we will be almost in Cd. Const by nightfall.
5 minutes to Cd. C., It is dark and I noticed a goat walking on the side of the road, I 'gently' hollered at husband who rapidly reduced speed just in
time for us to see a strange green glow in front of us. If not for that goat we likely would've driven right into the rear of an old lighteless,
reflecterless little pickup truck creeping down the highway. The light was from the cellphone of one of the guys in the cab.
Luckly lesson learned. No more night driving. Thank you seņor goat!
But I still cannot get husband to see that beforelight is the same dark as nightfall....mornings seem to be a different ballgame.
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gallesram
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David, thanks for those restaurants; in fact, I think you posted once that you drove to Baja Cactus arriving at midnight, and that's what made me
think of this topic, so I appreciate you joining in. Great descriptions of the food, too! I like the BC hotel but have never liked the town, so I
generally avoid it; but if I can get to Mulege an hour earlier, it's worth it.
CP, your post really made me sit up; I definitely would have plowed into that truck, too.
Sounds like the obvious lesson here is that if you do decide to push through, you definitely have to slow things down a lot (which is obvious, but the
stories I'm reading definitely bring it home). That's tough when you're used to going 70 MPH on those lonely straightaways and especially when you
just want to make the next town.
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bigzaggin
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David -
You're missing La Pasadita, our must stop taco joint in El Rosario. It's right around #33. I have pictures somewhere.
AWESOME shrimp tacos. Really nice people. Surprisingly clean bathroom in the back.
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