Gonna try crossing at Mexicali and taking the SF-Gonzaga-Laguna Chapala route south this year. I was wondering about getting my FMM in Mexicali.
Where is the office located and how about parking near there? I'm in a pickup with 15' trailer and need a little elbow room to park.
GraciasPacifico - 1-2-2013 at 07:32 PM
Parking is tough at the Mexicali crossing if you have a trailer. I have never been able to stop there and get my FMM when towing a trailer - finding a
place to park a truck and trailer is near impossible in my experience. The office is on the left when you enter Mexico. In addition, if towing down
through Gonzaga your trailer better be in great shape. Trailers on dirt roads are a real pain.....been there done that! Best of luck to you with your
plan...
Papers at Mexicali
John M - 1-2-2013 at 09:35 PM
Entering at Calexico, often called Mexicali West is easy. Highway 111 ends at the border entrance, no surprises.
As you enter stay to the left as the offices are on the left almost immediately as you clear Mexican customs. Parking just beyond the paperwork
office. Then, after you get your stuff, try to get to the right immediately and take the road I've marked as the way to San Felipe. Good signage all
the way, but keep you eyes open for lots of stop signs. Just keep following the arrows toward San Felipe. 20 to 30 minutes to clear the major Mexicali
traffic and you are on your way to adventure.
John MDavid K - 1-2-2013 at 09:49 PM
Nicely done John!Spearo - 1-3-2013 at 10:20 AM
Thanks John M! Very informative.
I usually cross at Tecate. I park in the US, walk over and get my papers, come back into the US and drive across. I may try this at Mexicali since
the parking is a pain.
As for the dirt road and trailer issue, its a well constructed aluminum trailer, I carry two spares and extra bearings. I can air down the tires for
the 40 miles of gravel. My buddy did it in a 30' fifth wheel and told me no problem.
Thanks againsancho - 1-3-2013 at 11:35 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Pacifico
Parking is tough at the Mexicali crossing if you have a trailer.
That is my experience, although Johns post has diagramed,
the parking spot on the diagram, is, at least the times I have looked
for a parking spot there, is iffy at best, and this is with a car. If that curb
area is taken up, I've had to drive 6-8 blks into Mexicali
to find a parking that is a green curb, which allows parking,
and walk back to Immigration. Parking a trailer of any size
in downtown Mexicali is not something I would do. You didn't
say which direction you are coming from, you may
consider the East crossing, some 7 mi. east of the Downtown
crossing, you avoid downtown. I have heard there MAY be parking to the RIGHT
as you enter the Downtown crossing, just before the
Mex Customs entry gates, park to the right, then walk thru the
traffic lanes going in, to Mex Immigration pictured on
the diagram, then return to your vehicle and drive in.
Or another option entirely, is to park on the US side, walk
into Mex, get fmm, then return. Sorry for making this, confusing, but parking in Mexicali near Mex Imm can be nonexistant, I would not leave Mexicali
without
an fmmDavid K - 11-1-2013 at 08:52 AM
Bump for Phil Scastone001 - 3-22-2018 at 09:49 AM
is this information still valid as to where the office is to get the FMM in Mexicali?David K - 3-22-2018 at 10:38 AM
Yes, it is immediately on your left when you go through the automatic gates. You may need to double park and that's okay if no space is open.sancho - 3-22-2018 at 12:22 PM
is this information still valid as to where the office is to get the FMM in Mexicali?
At the Calexico/Downtown West crossing, the 8 or so
parking spots in front of Mex Imm office are often full. Don't
assume you can double park, was a guy that got ticketed.
At least check inside Imm office to see if that is permitted.
Had to park at the public square, park, 4 blks. from Imm
last time
