BajaNomad

Border Crossing in Mexicali???!

Tres Rios - 12-6-2017 at 01:42 PM

Heading out Dec 16th for our month long road trip in Baja. Was wondering which crossing at Mexicali is preferred???! Cheers....

JZ - 12-6-2017 at 01:49 PM

Crossed at the West one about a month ago. It was late in the afternoon on like a Wednesday. It was an absolute mess. They close off all the side streets and funneled ppl down one way. About 8 traffic cops out directing traffic. Never saw anything like it.

So, I'd avoid that one, in the afternoon at least, and see if the East crossing is better.


[Edited on 12-7-2017 by JZ]

Fatboy - 12-6-2017 at 01:58 PM

Crossed at the one in downtown a few dozen times including twice in November and has always been quick and easy for me.

Never have used the Eastern one out of town so who knows...

It is always been so easy to cross southbound there that I have never considered the Eastern one, sure if something is going on like happened to JZ then who knows.

Plus if you need a tourist permit it is right there on the left as soon as you cross.

AKgringo - 12-6-2017 at 02:05 PM

I last crossed heading south at Mexicali west on Nov 20 2016. It was about noon on a Sunday, and the entire process, including getting an FMM, took 15 to 20 minutes. It couldn't have been smoother!

I have never crossed at Mexicali east, so I intend to try it next time for comparison.

[Edited on 12-6-2017 by AKgringo]

David K - 12-6-2017 at 02:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Fatboy  
Crossed at the one in downtown a few dozen times including twice in November and has always been quick and easy for me.

Never have used the Eastern one out of town so who knows...

It is always been so easy to cross southbound there that I have never considered the Eastern one, sure if something is going on like happened to JZ then who knows.

Plus if you need a tourist permit it is right there on the left as soon as you cross.



Me too, Mexicali west/downtown, #1... but also usually on weekdays... sometimes on Saturday morning. Friday afternoon and evening is a mess there because all the folks are going home or going on vacation that time.

Once you pass the red light/green light point, pull over to your left and park in front of the white building. This is INM where you get your tourist card (or have a pre-obtained card validated). Then, take the central boulevard which has the train tracks in the center to get to San Felipe. There are lots of signs along the way, too. The train tracks in the center is hard to miss, however. In 5 miles is the split between San Felipe/ Hwy. 5 and San Luis R.C./Hwy. 2. You are home free at this point!

Fatboy - 12-6-2017 at 02:15 PM

Also, not sure were you are coming from and your experience driving in Mexico is but Mexicali can be a little unnerving to a noob

So if the first time driving in Baja then stay in the middle lane is generally best through Mexicali and the signs to San felipe can be a little misleading.

You are going to make a right a hundred yards or so after crossing then generally you just stay southbound from there on out.

If you driven through before then you know whats up.

Tres Rios - 12-6-2017 at 03:51 PM

We'll be crossing on a Sunday, but sounds like Downtown may be the better choice as of now.... I'm a Baja Driving Virgin and Big city driving does get to me a little so we'll be wanting to get out of Mexicali ASAP and on to quieter locals.... Cheers Nomads!!!!

David K - 12-6-2017 at 05:00 PM

Use Google Earth and Street View on GE to see ahead of the layout.. Just relax and be cool. In Mexico, they have a short flashing green before it changes to amber and red. So think of the flashing green as we do the amber here. If it is safe to stop before entering the intersection, then stop. Otherwise continue through. Don't be in a hurry, just enjoy seeing the difference between the states and countries.

bobrehfuss - 12-6-2017 at 05:26 PM

Month long road trip....I'm jealous, haven't done one of those for a while.

If your towing you have to cross at the east crossing. I found out the hard way and it was a three hour mess. I was also informed by the nice policia that escorted me south through the border crossing, around town and back north through the southbound traffic and back to a hidden entrance to secondary on the US side that you have to use the east crossing in a motor home as well.

With that being said the east crossing is only seven miles farther east than the west crossing (about 10 min) and you pretty much avoid all the city driving so I now only use the east crossing when going through Mexical, north or south.

Also my map app on my iPhone gave me great directions after crossing and it directed me to Hwy 5 past the mayhem of the city.

Not sure where your coming from but I prefer the Tecate crossing and take Hwy 2/2D from Tecate to Hwy 5 below Mexicali. It does take a few minutes longer than blasting 80 MPH out Interstate 8 but I'm not in a hurry, it's a nice drive from Tecate to Mexicali and that route avoids ALL city driving.

Tres Rios - 12-6-2017 at 06:11 PM

Leaving from Three Rivers, Ca heading south to San Diego. Tecate sounds like my kinda crossing, no big city BS.

Tres Rios - 12-6-2017 at 06:18 PM

Are Propane camp stove canisters readily available in less populated areas of Baja???!

bajapedro - 12-7-2017 at 07:29 AM

I like to cross west most of the time and at 4AM. At that time, no-one seems to care what you have in your vehicle. The 28 stop lights are alway a drag going through town. The East crossing is a little further out of the way, but going through Mexicali is smoother, as their are only 6 stoplight(I think) and a number of stop signs.
Our usual plan is to cross into Mexicali through West and exit through East. We often have dogs, and there are easy dog stops once you cross back into US.
Either way, enjoy!

mexicali-kid - 12-7-2017 at 08:10 AM

In December the lines going into Mexico can be long at Mexicali West. Especially on a weekend.