Best way to drive from Puerto Peñasco to Los Angeles

Please forgive a San Carlos person for a question, what is the best way to drive from Puerto Peñasco to Los Angeles including the following: safety on the Mexican road, condition of the road in Mexico, best place to cross into U.S., beauty of the drive, hours it takes, and proximity to Los Angeles. I am driving there from San Carlos for Thanksgiving in a small Toyota. I would appreciate any advice that you can give me. The only roads that I have driven are the Nogales to San Carlos road and the Sonoita to Puerto Peñasco road. Thank you for your help. Janet

As an avid road traveler I would suggest this route. San Carlos to Santa Ana, Santa Ana to Sonoita/Lukeville. Cross at Lukeville (short wait time, less hassle) then up to Gila Bend and further north to I-10 west to LA> You can make the trip through Mexico but the border times are longer and the tolls to get to Tijuana are expensive.

Russ, muchisimas gracias.
Also I love the Sonoran desert that u drive through that way. what do u think the wait time in San Luis or Mexicali are, or Algodones?

Can anyone tell me anything about the new hwy to U.S that goes north over Sea of Cortez?

janetandclint said:

Can anyone tell me anything about the new hwy to U.S that goes north over Sea of Cortez?

Are you referring to the Coastal Highway? No intiendo "Over the Sea of Cortez" ??? Search the forum. There is a wealth of info here, photos and all.

The coastal highway is outstanding. Access it from Puerto Penasco at the Laguna Shores turn off and follow it up to El Golfo then to San Luis, smooth wide and easy.

The new road is great. I take it a few times every month. The route I take is 330 miles from Solana Beach to Penasco crossing at the east crossing in Mexicali. It is 440 miles from Penasco to San Diego crossing in Sonoyta. Very easy drive, just a few things to watch for...as you come into San Luis there are 2 Pemex stations, across from each other, you make a left on the dirt road directly past the Pemex on your left then make another left onto the pavement which takes you a T in the road where you make a right. Then in about 2 minutes you will come to a stop where you make a left onto highway 2, the toll booth is then just ahead (12 pesos). From this point you are about 45 minutes to the east crossing in Mexicali. Heading towards Mexicali you will exit at the sign for the airport and then follow the directions to the airport as you get closer you will be able to see the control tower at the airport. At the airport stop sign you will make a left go about 10 miles and as you come into Mexicali there will be an intersection with a traffic light and a Circle K. Make a right at that intersection and then simply follow that road which will take you directly to the Mexicali/Calexico East crossing in about 5 minutes. There is a Sentri lane, Ready lane and about 10 or so regular lanes to cross. When you cross the border you will just follow the road to Interstate 8. It may sound a bit confusing but it is actual a very direct route. If you zoom in on the link in Google maps and follow the route you will clearly see the directions.

http://goo.gl/maps/rVbwk

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Hmmmm inserting the code to embed the map did not work....

I normally take the HWY 3 (Coastal Hiway) to HWY 4 to Hwy 5. Strait into Mexicali.

Rick
Cholla Bay

Hi Rick,

I have done that route many times as well and now only go the route I posted, far less traffic and no speed bumps in the small towns. Door to door it is just under 5.5 hours for me.

Wow, that is the route I hope we take. Sounds interesting. I am sure I won't recognize Mexicali. I lived there hace Muchos años, when I was young. thank you everyone for all the advice. since we did settle in San Carlos two yrs ago, we haven't seen too much more of Sonora. so this trip will be fun for me. Janet

I'm shocked when we go to the Mayan how many people are from California- probably the same on Sandy Beach. I would have thought they would stay closer to home in the summer time.

Friend booked the Vegas connection flight to RP....278 bucks round trip