Other Americans, apparently trying to sound world-wise, like to say that Highway 1 is just like an American highway. That’s not the case either; in fact, it makes all but the very worst of American highways look like the Autobahn. Compared to what we gringos are accustomed to, it’s narrow, winding, unpredictable, poorly marked and downright dangerous.

Nonetheless, with a little restraint and common sense, you can travel Highway 1 in relative safety. The first thing to keep in mind is that most of the highway is extremely narrow by American standards and often lacks any shoulders at all. Instead, in many areas, you’ll find a two-foot drop off the blacktop on either side of the road. Keep your eyes on the road - not on the stereo, the CB or your sandwich. There’s plenty of room for any street-legal vehicle; there’s just not much room for error. This is especially true if you’re towing a trailer. If you drop a trailer tire off the blacktop in the wrong spot, you could be in big trouble.

Remember too that you can’t depend on signs and markings along Highway 1 the way you can in America. Sometimes a slight curve will be marked with twenty blaring yellow and black arrow markers, while a sudden fall-away hairpin may not be marked at all. Be prepared for anything at any time and depend on your own eyes, not the road signs.

Don’t believe what the center line tells you either. Most of it is composed of a double yellow line, and it should be. Sometimes, though, the double yellow will continue down ten miles of perfectly straight, flat road ideal for passing. In other places, a dotted center line will lead right up to a blind curve or hilltop. Again, just use your eyes and your common sense.

The inconsistency of the center line has led to a curious Baja custom. Slow vehicles will often use their left turn signals to indicate to cars behind them that it’s safe to pass. Usually it is, but don’t take the left turn signal as gospel; sometimes the signaling vehicle can’t see any more than you can, and sometimes that left turn signal is really signaling a left turn.

The speed limit on most of Highway 1 is right around 35 miles per hour. This is yet another instance in which common sense should come first. In certain places, 35 is way too fast; in others you can drive 60 without taking an unnecessary risk. Always err on the side of caution, though, as you never know when you’re going to have to stop in a hurry for a cow in the road, a washout, an accident, a slow-moving vehicle, a sudden curve or any number of other things.

The customary warning that you should never drive Highway 1 at night is a reasonable one. Due to the lack of dependable warning signs, reflective markers and lights, it’s not easy to see even the road itself, let alone cows, etc., which may be in the middle of it. If you have to do it, do it slowly and carefully and don’t keep driving if you get sleepy.

There are enough gas stations along Highway 1 that you shouldn’t need to carry extra fuel. It’s not uncommon, though, for a station to simply run out of fuel, so you should keep your tank as full as possible in case the next station is out. Carrying an extra five or 10 gallons doesn’t hurt either. You will almost certainly get overcharged for your fuel, but remember that it’s not just because you’re a gringo - locals get overcharged too.

Auto shops in Baja don’t much resemble your local Jiffy Lube. They’re often dilapidated tin shacks with dirt floors and a few greasy tools hanging from the walls. Don’t despair; Mexican mechanics, for the most part, are very, very good at what they do, which is getting vehicles back on the road on way or another. It may not be pretty, but they will almost always find a way to at least temporarily fix virtually anything that goes wrong.

Regardless, you should prepare your vehicle as completely as you can. Make sure everything - tires, belts, hoses, etc. - is in good working condition and carry an extra one of everything you can think of - including but not limited to fuses, fluids, oil, filters, engine parts and dollars. Also carry emergency equipment - flares, reflectors, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, tow rope, etc. In many areas, there’s no place to get a disabled vehicle off the road, and placing a few flares a quarter-mile back up the road could save your life and/or someone else’s.

As for the police, some of them are crooked and will give you tickets just because they can. You can either play the game, pay them on the spot and go on your way, or you can stand up for yourself and ask to be taken to the station to pay your fine there. Sometimes the latter will save you some money; sometime it will just take an extra couple of hours. The truth, though, is that the “corrupt Mexican policeman” stereotype is for the most part just that - a stereotype. The vast majority of the police force won’t bother you.

The military checkpoints scattered along the highway are only unnerving the first few times you pass through them. These soldiers are looking for drugs or guns, and they may make a cursory search of your vehicle. Almost universally, though, they’re polite and business-like. It probably goes without saying that you shouldn’t take guns or drugs to Baja.

It takes about two to three days to drive from Tijuana to Cabo, so if you’re going any further than L.A. Bay, you’ll probably want to spend at least one day along the road. RV and “dry” camping is available in many places and ranges from fancy, full-hookup sites to pitching a tent in absolute solitude at the end of a side road.

For those not equipped to camp, many hotels are available along the way. Like camping accommodations, these range from the most basic rooms to luxurious suites. Those wanting to travel in a bit of luxury should consider the “Baja Travel Pass” offered by the government-owned La Pinta Hotels chain. The Travel Pass costs about $140.00 per person and includes four nights in La Pinta hotels, four breakfasts, four margaritas, coupons for food and beverages and a 50-percent discount on a future stay at the La Pinta Ensenada. In addition to Ensenada, La Pinta operates top-flight hotels in San Quint'n, Catavi'a, Guerrero Negro, San Ignacio and Loreto.