• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • ALL ABOUT BAJA
  • BLOG
  • FAQ
  • CONTACT
  • USEFUL BAJA LINKS

AllAboutBaja.com

Travel Guide to the Baja California Peninsula

img
  • See & Do
    • Attractions
      • Cave Paintings
        • Cave Paintings and Rock Art Near Mulege
      • Pacific Side of Baja
      • Sea of Cortez Mexico
      • Whale Watching in Baja
    • Recreation
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Kayaking
      • Kiteboarding
      • Off Road in Baja
    • Eat & Drink
      • Restaurants in Baja
  • Places to Stay
    • Lodging
      • Baja Hotels & Resorts
      • Timeshares in Baja
    • RV Parks & Campgrounds
  • Getting Around Baja
    • Weather in Baja
    • 8 Useful Maps of Baja California
    • Spanish Guide
    • Travel Tips for Baja
      • Baja Safety
      • Driving to Baja
      • Driving in Baja
  • Living in Baja
    • Baja Medical
      • Hospitals
      • Medical Tourism
    • Real Estate
  • Baja Gallery
  • Questions & Answers

Driving in Baja

Driving in Baja

Driving in Baja can be one of the most rewarding means of travel. It can also be if one is not careful and alert, somewhat dangerous. It is very difficult to get lost once you are out of the border area, as there are only five main (nationally numbered) highways along the entire length of the peninsula.

The main highway, México 1, runs the whole length of the peninsula, from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas. This 1,058-mile highway is mostly well-paved but is in a constant state of repair. While this is the most highly-traveled tourist route, it is also the main route for the large trucks that bring most of the supplies from the border area to the southern regions of Baja.

México 2 (and 2D, a toll road out of Tijuana that connects with Highway 2 near Tecate) runs from Tijuana to the East through Tecate and on to Mexicali. It then continues across the Sonoran Desert and ends up connecting with México 15, north of Hermosillo, on the Mexican mainland.

México 3 runs south from Tecate through the hilly northern wine country and connects with Highway 1 just north of Ensenada. The second part of Highway 3 goes across the mountains (out of Ensenada) to the east through Ojos Negros and Valle Trinidad to finally connect with México 5, on the Sea of Cortez, approximately thirty miles north of San Felipe.

Mexico 11, is actually an extension of the main seaside boulevard (Malecón) in La Paz and continues to the north, out of La Paz, ending at the ferry terminal (ferries to Mazatlan and Topolobampo on the Mexican mainland) at Pichilingue. This highway (really just a road) travels along the Bay of La Paz and passes by some very beautiful beaches and coves.

México 19 is in the far south of the peninsula, branches off Highway 1, 16 miles south of La Paz, and provides a shortcut to Los Cabos, through the charming town of Todos Santos. Stay on México 1 to get to the beaches and resorts of the East Cape area and San Jose del Cabo.

You will need to obtain a tourist permit (FMM) if you are planning on driving south of Ensenada or San Felipe on the eastern coast.

Although driving in Baja can be very rewarding, and mostly trouble-free, it comes with a few warnings that need to be heeded, and also a few surprises. The first and most important warning is that night driving is to be avoided by almost everyone. The second (and equally as important) – get a Mexican Insurance policy before you cross the border! Third (and equally important, again) drive at a reasonable speed. Pretty easy rules for a safe trip, if you follow them you should be OK.

You may find cows (and other animals) on the road as well as slow-moving vehicles (sometimes with no lights). The road is pretty narrow and has a little-to-no shoulder in most places. These are the factors that make night driving a big No-No, especially if you have not made this drive numerous times. This means that you should carefully plan your trip to make sure that you arrive at your planned destination of the day, before nightfall.

Some other surprises can be the lack of gas (less of a problem these days), slow trucks in the mountainous areas, flooded sections of the road (usually in the summer), or long waits for construction crews to finish a section of work. The road has a tendency to be very twisty in places. Somewhat lengthy (not always) random vehicle checks by the army or federal police, designed to prevent the flow of arms and drugs, can also make for a longer (time-wise) drive than you had originally planned for.

Watch out for topes! Topes are speed bumps that may or may not have been placed by the proper authorities. Some cities, even individuals, will place them on the road illegally, to control the speed of vehicles in their area. If you hit them at speed, it can be bad and may even damage your car. Most (legal topes) are marked with signs or are painted yellow or white.

Don’t let any of this discourage you from driving in Baja. The scenery can be absolutely incredible and the locals are some of the most friendly people on the face of this earth. There are endless stories of the locals appearing out of nowhere to repair cars, help with tire changes, and provide gas, oil, or other needed items.

Also, on the positive side, is the fact that all main highways are patrolled by the Green Angels, a branch of the tourism department that was created especially to help travelers with vehicle problems. They carry gas, oil, tools, and other necessities and provide service to anyone who needs help along the highway. The Green Angels only patrol during the daylight hours.

If you choose to drive, you will be treated to some of the most spectacular scenery you could ever imagine.

City driving must be monitored very closely. In most cities in Baja, you should drive with a lot of extra caution. Drivers in Baja tend to have a common disregard for the traffic laws (yes, they really do have traffic laws) and many drivers lack common road courtesy. Stop signs are often ignored, in some places they actually speed up for stop signs. You should learn to expect turns (in either direction) from any lane on the road. Also, many streets and roads may lack basic markings, even one-way streets.

Driving in Baja can be a real adventure. The fine line that separates an adventure from a disaster can be just one bad decision or a small lapse in attention to the road. You hardly ever see any minor accidents in Baja, most accidents tend to be major. Just look at the number of shrines along the road, reminders of the need to pay attention while driving. Highway 1 is, in most places, pretty narrow by anyone’s standards. Along most of the road, the lack of any shoulder can make for some nervous times.

Be extra careful while passing another vehicle. Be aware of everything around you, look way ahead, and keep an eye on your rear-view mirrors. When I approach a vehicle, from behind, to pass, I always check to see if they actually have a mirror glass in their mirror. Then, I know that they will be able to see that I would like to pass. I also, watch carefully to make sure that they have actually seen me before I make the pass. Sometimes, a polite blink of the headlights is in order to make sure they know you are there.

Use extra care in the mountains and on all curves. Large trucks tend to use both sides of the road at times. The truck drivers of Baja are usually great drivers and very considerate to oncoming traffic and those who want to pass them. There are exceptions to the rule and there are occasions when the good ones will slip up, as can happen anywhere.

You will undoubtedly notice that a large number of cars and trucks on the road are not in the best state of repair. This can sometimes make for erratic driving and other difficulties for the driver. Give older cars, and trucks, a little more room than you normally would. Note: Before any trip to Baja, make sure that your vehicle is in a good state of repair.

If you feel that you are getting tired, pull over, splash some water on your face, go for a walk, have a short nap, and do whatever works for you. It doesn’t matter how hot it is or how late you will be, it is better to arrive late – than to not arrive at all.

That said, I do not want to scare you away from driving in Baja. I just want you to know that this is not a drive to your corner market. The incredible scenery, friendly people, and unique experiences will more than makeup for the extra care you must use during your time behind the wheel in Baja.

Decadent Outdoors

Primary Sidebar

Baja Vehicle Insurance

img

POPULAR CITIES IN BAJA

Popular Cities in Baja
    Bahia Concepcion | Bahia de Los Angeles
    Bahia San Luis Gonzaga | Cabo Pulmo
    Cabo San Lucas | Catavina
    Ciudad Constitucion | East Cape
    El Rosario | Ensenada
    Guerrero Negro | La Paz
    Loreto | Mexicali
    Mulege | Pescadero & Playa Cerritos
    Puerto Escondido | Punta Baja
    Rosarito Beach | San Felipe
    San Ignacio | San Javier
    San Jose del Cabo | San Juanico - Scorpion Bay
    San Quintin | Santa Rosalia
    Santa Rosalillita | Tecate
    Tijuana | Todos Santos

ADS

BAJA FISHING

AllAboutBaja.com Yak Fishing in Baja

Yak Fishing in Baja

ADS

Vrbo

BAJA OFF ROAD

AllAboutBaja.com Off-Roading in Baja Mexico

Baja Off-Roading

ADS

Rent Your RV Now!

BAJA ATTRACTIONS

Gray Whale in Baja

Interaction with Gray Whale in Baja

ADS

Mexican Car Insurance

BAJA RESORTS

AllAboutBaja.com East Cape Resort

East Cape Resort

BAJA GOLF

AllAboutBaja.com Baja Golfing

Baja Golfing & Golf Courses

BAJA RESTAURANTS

AllAboutBaja.com Baja Dining at Molly's Restaurant with The View

Baja Dining

BAJA LIVING

AllAboutBaja.com Baja Living

Baja Living

Footer

ALL ABOUT BAJA

  • About this Site
  • Advertise with Us
  • Link to Us
  • Legal
  • Privacy Policy & TOS

LATEST QUESTIONS ASKED

  • Busiest dates? asked by Jan Christiaan Ariza
  • Car hire in Baja asked by Rob
  • Crossing the border asked by Pat
  • Employee Social Security? asked by mary
  • Rent a House in Ensenada asked by Brenda L Spires
  • RV Rental asked by Jerry Sloan

Baja Car Insurance

img

©2010-2022 | AllAboutBaja.com - Travel Guide to the Baja California Peninsula | No part of this website may be reproduced without our written consent.


***When readers buy products and services advertised on our site, we often earn affiliate commissions that support this website.