How long would it take to drive from Las Vegas, NV to Cabo San Lucas, MX?

Question

I found a site that's supposed to help with driving in Mexico, but my spanish is not evolved enough to understand it.

Answer 1

I'm in Cabo right now and while downstairs in the lobby of my resort, overheard a gentleman say he would never, EVER, drive down here again!! Don't know where he drove from, but he said he drove through Ensenada and he thought it would take two days but took three days.

Answer 2

I'm not 100% certain, but my "guess" is it's 8 to 10-ish hours from LV to "the border", depending on which border...

I have driven the San Diego (Ysidro) route a few times, and FROM THERE, it's "roughly" 1000 miles of mostly great roads to Cabo.  They tend to be, however, very narrow and with no shoulder, so BE A LERT!

... the world needs more lerts ...

DO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT!

I currently live in and around Cabo and I try not to drive at night, even locally, when I can get away with it.  Something like 95% of fatalities on the long single road down baja occur at night.  (that "may be" a legend, but not one I plan to mess with)

Drunk driving is a popular pasttime (it's getting much better, though!), there are wandering cows (no real fences to speak of) and goats and chickens and and other odds and ends wandering around.  Plus, the TRUCKS!  The trucks make me nervous even during the day and at night ...

... well, I don't drive at night, but I assume they're still scary.

My general message is this: Take your time, don't worry, stay a lert, drive during the day, soak in the sights, get your tourist card in Ensenada, get Mexican car insurance in San Ysidro (or online, before you cross the border, even...).  One point of concern, IF (and if you're cautious, it's a BIG IF) there's an accident, you are guilty, until proven innocent, so make sure you've got your paperwork in order, a tourist card and insurance. These things will go a long way to keeping you out of trouble, in case of emergency.  BE PREPARED, have extra water, get gas, even if you don't think you need it, get rest, but ENJOY YOURSELF!

From the border to Cabo, I usually take about 4 leisurely days, swim, eat well, etc.  

Once I get to Cabo, I'm "home", so the drive down IS the vacation and it can be a very good one!  

(satelite radio helps a lot!)

Good luck!

Answer 3

All good comments. Let me add that it may look like you can save time by going through Mexicali instead of TJ, but the last bit of roadway is basically unpaved groove cut between the mountains and the roadway. It is not for the fainthearted.

   I have driven in Mexico many times, and I don't like it. A lot of people ask if it is dangerous, but people rarely ask about how expensive it can be.You rarely save money unless you are very practiced at the route. Between the cops, the breakdowns, not driving at night, the tolls, the hotels, you end up spending a lot.

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  Since you mentioned Las Vegas, I have observed that a flight to Cabo can be expensive. It is cheaper to get a ride on one of those CanadaAir Regional Jets and fly to Puerto Vallarta via Pheonix (USAir). They are advertising $375 per person round trip.

Answer 4

No special permits (other than your tourist card) are required to drive on the Baja peninsula. (states of Baja California and Baja California Sur)  I do recommend Mexican insurance.

You can purchase your Mexican insurance online in advance and just drive right on through the border - no waiting. Do get your tourist card at the border or in Ensenada (my recommendation) they will tick you $50 if you get to La Paz or Cabo without it, sometime you can get it at the GuerreroNegro.

It is just over 1000 miles from San Diego to Los Cabos, the route I recommend for you. I have driven it more than 20 times.

The road is now a well maintained two lane road 98% of the way with a few miles of 4 lane here and there. it is a two day trip down the peninsula, don't drive at night for a lot of reasons. Stop at Guerreronegro, (I had to make it one word so it didn't get bleeped) the entry point into Baja Sur for the night. Lots of truck stop motels, most under $30, most pretty clean, nothing fancy. The La Pinta state sponsored hotels are about $90 and a little nicer. You can't safely do it in one day, it is ON THE WHEEL driving all the way, no cruise control stretches, but a lovely drive. Get gas in El Rosario southbound and GN northbound, there is only one gas stop inbetween, La Pinta in Catavina. The northern 1/2 of the trip is longer, about 11hrs, and the southern half about 9-10hrs.

Driving at night can be deadly.Drunks, Cows and increase chance of roadway bandits,.although that has been dramatically improved in the last 8 months.

Answer 5

mapquest.com

Answer 6

Heather I hope you are aware of all the fees and paperwork to get your car across the border. Registration , Mexican insurance is pricey. Mexican DMV is not fun to deal with and without all the nessecary stuff they wont let you cross.

As long as your aware................

Lock your doors , dont travel at night and dont drive an expensive car that will make you a target...............

Best guess is Las Vegas to border 10 hours another hour to cross if all paperwork is done, add 2 hours to visit the little offices there that will do your insurance and registration for you - for a fee :)

Another 8 to get to Cabo.

Price of gas and time ,I'd fly if its an option

Answer 7

Give yourself 3 plus days.  It would be 1200 kms from the border, and you have the choice of driving down the mainland and crossing by ferry over to la paz, or driving down the baja.   You should map out your journey so you know where you will be staying each night.  Don't drive at night unless you have to, very dangerous.  

Here's a website that might give you a better idea of how long a trip it is and you can see a map and plan your trip...plus cabo bob is a funny guy.