Baja Road Report Aug 4, 2004

After having driven the full length of the Baja Highway One, three times in less than one month, I feel I have a pretty good idea of the Baja road conditions. Let me say though that these road reports are obviously subjective. For example you may see the road report by, Escarabajo Amarillo (yellow beetle) on the front page of Eastcapers now hosted by us here on the BajaInsider.com. This little car’s perception may be a bit different than mine however where the road is gone it is bad and you do need to drive with extra caution in those areas.While I have driven the Transpennisular highway for over 15 years, my perception is, the road is in pretty good condition.

In fact as I see the road from Tijuana to Cabo is better now than it has ever been. San Ignacio is worth the short detour from Hwy 1Yes, there are still two major sections out and another one lane area that is being worked on between Loreto and Mulege. Yes, there is still more construction just north of La Paz but I will have to say that there is more good and great highway than there is bad. They’re even using computerized paint systems to paint the lines on the highway! Times have truly changed.

Some other noticeable changes have come in the use of more signage for dangerous curves and construction work ahead (tramo en reparacion). Again this statement is relative to what was before. If you compare the Baja Transpennisular highway with the American roads just over the border you will be disappointed to say the least. It amazes me every time I get over the border headed north as to how wide and smooth California highways really are. How ample the shoulders are and how often there are turnouts even on small narrow highways. Yes there really is no comparison from the U.S or Canada to Mexico, but then the Mexican government is not investing a million dollars a mile as is the case in many of the US highway systems.