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Mexico 1: Santa Rosalía to Loreto, Bahía Concepción, Baja California Sur
Photo: Kirt Edblom · CC BY-SA 2.0 · cropped

Drives Baja California Sur, Mexico Central Baja: Guerrero Negro, Mulegé and Loreto

Mexico 1: Santa Rosalía to Loreto

MEX 1 · Santa Rosalía → Loreto

Leisurely121 mi3 hr 30 min5,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 700 ftOne way
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The drive

This is the Sea of Cortez stretch of Mexico 1, 194.2 km (121 mi) from Santa Rosalía to Loreto in about 3 hr 30 min. It starts in the old copper town, passes Mulegé, follows the shore of Bahía Concepción and then runs on to Loreto, with bays, beaches and cliffs along the way. The road climbs and dips about 5,000 feet in all but never rises above about 700 feet.

Mulegé sits in a river valley with a palm oasis. Its Jesuit mission was begun in 1754, and its old prison, famous for having no bars, is now a museum. South of town the highway runs beside Bahía Concepción, past beaches such as Playa Santispac, which is visible from the road, and Playa El Requesón, where a sand spit leads to an islet at low tide.

Loreto, at the end, is where Jesuits founded the first mission on the peninsula in 1697.

Along the way

  1. Santa Rosalía (Mexico 1)
  2. Mulegé
  3. Playa Santispac (Bahía Concepción)
  4. Playa El Requesón
  5. Loreto
Elevation
5,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 700 ft
Santa RosalíaLoreto
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Santa RosalíaLoreto
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Pavement is rough in places, with potholes common on this stretch of Mexico 1.
  • Cattle can wander across the road between Mulegé and Loreto, and shoulders are narrow, so avoid driving after dark.
  • Fuel is sold in Santa Rosalía, Mulegé and Loreto. The beaches on Bahía Concepción are dry camping with few facilities.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check SICT (Mexico's federal roads agency).

Questions about this drive

How long does Mexico 1 from Santa Rosalía to Loreto take?

Mexico 1 from Santa Rosalía through Mulegé to Loreto is 194.2 km (121 mi) and takes about 3 hr 30 min without stops.

Where is Bahía Concepción on Mexico 1?

Bahía Concepción lies between Mulegé and Loreto. Mexico 1 follows its shore, passing Playa Santispac and Playa El Requesón.

Is there gas between Santa Rosalía and Loreto?

Santa Rosalía, Mulegé and Loreto all have fuel. Top up in Mulegé before the run down the bay to Loreto.

What is the road like on the Santa Rosalía to Loreto drive?

Mexico 1 is a two-lane highway with narrow shoulders and a rough surface in places, and the section around Bahía Concepción has many curves.

What you get in the app

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More drives near here

All 7 drives in Baja California Sur, Mexico ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Mexico 1: Santa Rosalía to Loreto, from Santa Rosalía to Loreto