The first thing I recommend is a good GPS unit - I have a Garmin ETrex Vista and found this company (
GPS4Baja.com ) who sells updated road and contour maps of Baja. I recommend it because they took the time to plug all the gas station locations which can be important in a few spots. I drove my own truck - I recommend Mexico insurance from AAA (Mexico required Liability insurance). Made the entire trip in one shot - I think it was about a 14 hour drive from the border, but I drove pretty fast
)
For the most part, the roads were in fantastic shape - just extremely narrrow. I do NOT recommend driving there at night because there are NO lights and it is DARK - combine that with the narrow roads and the random cows that seem to hang out in the middle of the road for no particular reason and you are asking for an accident.
The gas stations were nice - Pemex is the national gas station of Mexico and they are ALL (supposed to be) open 24 hours/7 days a week. Bring cash, pesos if possible as the attendants math can be questionable. There were about (6) military checkpoints, nothing to worry about unless you are planning to smuggle in a truckoad of ganja.
Thats all I can think of - I think next year I will plan a stop in Guerrero Negro (the last town you drive through on the "outside" of the peninsula) just to make things a little less baja 1000 if you know what I mean.
You are from Sacramento - thats about 7-8 hours from the border... you may want to get an early start and try to get across the border on day one - about an hour and a half south of the border is a nice little golf resort you can stay at... (
Bajamar ).
Good luck - let me know if you need any other info.
Marz
