You can drive to Cabo San Lucas by using Mexican Federal Highway 1. This extensive road runs the whole length of Baja California, commencing in Tijuana by the U.S. border and ending in Cabo San Lucas in the far south. The road runs down the west coast of northern Baja California before switching to the east coast and finally arriving in Cabo. Another possible route is to drive to Cabo using a combination of Mexican Federal Highway 1 and Mexican Federal Highway 5, which runs down the eastern coast of northern Baja California.
You can also drive to Cabo San Lucas from the Mexican mainland using the Baja Ferry service. Traveling out of Mazatlan and Topolobampo on the mainland, the vehicle ferries sail into La Paz in Baja California. Using these ferries avoids a considerable drive north, saving time and expense.
Cabo San Lucas is located on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico and within the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. Cabo lies in the tropics just south of the Tropic of Capricorn. The city and it’s fine beaches are surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, south, and east.
Cabo’s location on the southern tip of Baja California makes it a relatively remote destination. While road and flight connections to the area are excellent, it will still take you a considerable amount of time to get there.
Starting Point | Distance to Cabo | Driving Time | Flight Time |
San Diego | 1055 miles | 22 hours | 2 hours 15 minutes |
Los Angeles | 1160 miles | 23.5 hours | 2 hours 30 minutes |
San Francisco | 1541 miles | 31 hours | 3 hours 10 minutes |
Phoenix | 914 miles | 23 hours | 2 hours 10 minutes |
Las Vegas | 1246 miles | 26 hours | 2 hours 40 minutes |
Portland | 2122 miles | 38 hours | 3 hours 55 minutes |
Seattle | 2295 miles | 41 hours | 4 hours 15 minutes |
The best route to Cabo San Lucas if you’re travelling from anywhere on the west coast of the U.S. is simple. You cross the San Diego and Tijuana border at the San Ysidro crossing. You then pass through Tijuana and join Mexican Federal Highway 1, which runs the full length of the Baja California Peninsula. Not only is this the quickest and most direct route, but it also takes you past all the best places to stop. Highlights include Balandra Beach, La Paz, and Loreto. There’s more on these destinations below.
There are plenty of great places to stop when traveling by road to Cabo San Lucas. Whether national parks, vibrant towns and cities, or beautiful beaches, there’s something for everyone along this long Mexican Peninsula.
Here are a few of the very best things to see on the way:
Parque Nacional Sierra San Pedro Mártir – This stunning national park is the very antithesis of what people expect to encounter in Baja California. Home to snow-capped mountains and pine forests, it’s an amazing contrast to the hot deserts and sandy beaches that cover much of the peninsula. There’s some great hiking within the park and the opportunity to spot the rare California Condors.
Loreto – Tucked between the Sea of Cortez and the mountains, Loreto is a fine Mexican city with wonderful architecture. However, it’s the offshore Bahia de Loreto National Park that generally brings visitors here. This UNESCO World Heritage Site covers a massive 2000 square kilometers and is home to 800 different species of marine life. Sea lions, dolphins, manta rays, plus much more can be seen here.
La Paz – The capital city of the state of Baja California Sur, La Paz is a fascinating destination. It’s home to some excellent colonial-era buildings as well as the fine waterfront Malecón. There are some excellent dining options in town, and it’s also a great base for exploring some of the surrounding areas. The city also attracts visitors between October and February each year who come to swim with the whale sharks that frequent the area.
Balandra Beach – The stunning Balandra Beach is probably the finest beach in Baja California. Its crystal clear, shallow, and warm waters are ideal for families. The water is knee-deep across the whole bay, allowing you to walk across to the spectacular remote beach. If you only stop in one place on the way to Cabo, make sure it’s here.
Situated just south of the Tropic of Cancer, Cabo enjoys a wonderfully warm year-round climate. As with any destination in the tropics, it has a distinct wet and dry season. The wet season typically falls across July, August, and September, although it can occasionally run into the first half of October. These months are generally best avoided as they are hot, humid, and wet, and there’s always the possibility of a hurricane.
Outside of the wet season, you can pick your time to visit. You’re virtually guaranteed hot, sunny weather throughout the dry season from October through June. While the winter months are cooler, the temperature is still generally in the 80’s. Our favorite time to visit is October and November or May and June. Both these periods avoid the peak winter season when snowbirds descend on the area. If you visit during these non-peak shoulder months, not only will there be fewer crowds, but you’ll also get a better deal on flights, tours, and accommodation.
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