I've never crossed at San Luis before. I'm heading down to San Felipe with my Truck and 35' trailer. Looking for some advise on the border crossing
with a long truck and trailer. Also if someone has directions to the toll road that would be appreciated too!!PaulW - 4-25-2021 at 01:27 PM
Left lane for secondary. They will guide you or wave you thru.
[Edited on 4-25-2021 by PaulW]JZ - 4-25-2021 at 01:38 PM
You can take a trailer through no problem. San Luis is very small, and easy to get through.
Hwy 2 is like a 1/4 mile from the border, you can't miss it, the border crossing road goes right to it.
You get your FMM on the right side shortly after crossing. Look on Google Maps for the building.
BajaRun - 4-25-2021 at 01:55 PM
Thanks PaulW and JZ!. I was going to follow up regarding the FMM but now I don't have too!! Looking forward to trying out somethin new..KasloKid - 4-25-2021 at 02:28 PM
Yuma to Mexicali and onto San Felipe. This route kicks you out at the non-busy south end of Mexicali.
At the San Luis Colorado crossing, turn right at the FIRST street after crossing. You're now on the toll road... Mex 2-D. Set your odometer to zero.
Toll booth in a few miles.
Drive 49 KM/30 Miles, then take the San Felipe turnoff which crosses over Mex 2.
Drive another 11 KM/7 Miles, get in the right lane and take the exit to San Felipe/Mexicali exit.
You have to travel north towards Mexicali a couple of hundred yards and make a U-Turn. You'll plainly see where others have done so.
You're now heading south on Mex 5 to San Felipe.
If you get your FMM at San Luis, you're better off to park on the USA side and walk across and get it. See location in pic below. Parking is tough to
find on the Mexico side. Go through US Customs back to your rig then drive across.
Google Earth is your friend!!
[Edited on 4-25-2021 by KasloKid]maspacificoII - 4-25-2021 at 03:54 PM
How is San Luis going North? Might be heading up soon and would love to miss Mexicali!JZ - 4-25-2021 at 04:03 PM
It's way easier than Mexicali, unless you have Sentr, maybe. KasloKid - 4-25-2021 at 07:13 PM
Yes, JZ is spot on. San Luis is a lot easier crossing back into the USA than Mexicali.
Getting onto 2D eastbound from Hwy 5 isn't obvious for the first timer.
Going north on Hwy 5, go past (under) 2D and make a U-turn when possible. Get into the right lane, go past (under) 2D and immediately exit right.
Pay toll right away then keep going and you'll quickly be on 2D eastbound.
maspacificoII - 4-26-2021 at 04:38 AM
Thanks! Exactly what I needed!maspacificoII - 4-26-2021 at 04:51 AM
How is San Luis going North? Might be heading up soon and would love to miss Mexicali!Lexusallterrain - 4-26-2021 at 05:52 AM
If you are towing a trailer you would be better off crossing at Algodones, as soon as you cross there is a very spacious parking lot on the right. You
park and go inside the office and get your Permit.BajaRun - 4-26-2021 at 05:54 AM
Thanks KasloKid for the heads up on the FMM, parking on the USA side and walking in and then crossing... I'm familiar with the 2D toll road, usually
cross at Algodones when not towing. I would like to try something different than Mexicali while towing. PaulW - 4-26-2021 at 07:10 AM
Been towing a trailer back and forth for 17 years.
Algodones is barely doable both directions. Northbound the US border guard will have to open up the left lane for you because you wont fit in the two
right lanes. Going south has tight turns and heavy traffic. And crappy roads that will beat up your trailer.
San Luis is ok going south usually thru secondary. Traffic is heavy, but still ok. Going north the trailer uses the standard left lane and it is hard
to avoid the plastic barriers. Not my favorite.
Mexicali East is my favorite both ways. Now days northbound the right standard right lane going north is plenty wide. Timing is very important to
avoid the surge due to closing at 2PM and with the trailer it is necessary to approach the border from the south = east by using the airport road in
order to avoid a difficult or even impossible U turn when coming the standard way from the west. And that airport route is faster than the Hwy 5
standard route. The north airport road route begins with a right turn at the first Hwy5 signal.
Going south from Algodones, or San Luis uses Mx Hwy 2/2D and the U turn at Hwy 5 is easy because of the wide left turn lane.
And last of all west crossing going south is ok, but you have to compete with the heavy city traffic all the way to MX Hwy 2D. Going north Is
unacceptable with a trailer. The route is not functional for trailers.
FMM: Stop at the crossing and ask the guard where to go and follow instructions. Get out and walk the the place directed and leave your rig parked in
place.BajaRun - 4-26-2021 at 08:20 AM
PaulW are you saying at San Luis to leave my truck and trailer at the secondary station on the Mexico side and walk to get FMM ?AKgringo - 4-26-2021 at 08:28 AM
Is there a Money Exchange on the USA side of the border at San Luis?
CambiaMax
23339 Main St, San Luis, AZ 85349
The Cambimax was closed both times I drove through last November and January. Could just be I just got unlucky with their hours or could be Covid
related. No se. The King Ranch Market just south on Main street has a cambio that was open at 7am when I got there. Just inside and to the left of the
front doors. Seemed to be a competitive rate and they had no problem with changing $500 US. Big parking lot for those towing.AKgringo - 4-28-2021 at 07:44 AM
I like to hit the road with enough pesos that I do not have to find a cambio when I reach the border. The local Wells Fargo here in northern CA keeps
10,000 pesos or so on hand, and can get more if given advance notice.
I don't remember the exchange rate, but it seemed reasonable at the time, and was worth the convenience. JZ - 4-28-2021 at 08:50 AM
The Cambimax was closed both times I drove through last November and January. Could just be I just got unlucky with their hours or could be Covid
related. No se. The King Ranch Market just south on Main street has a cambio that was open at 7am when I got there. Just inside and to the left of the
front doors. Seemed to be a competitive rate and they had no problem with changing $500 US. Big parking lot for those towing.
Good Intel. Google says they are open 9am to 8pm. Closed Sundays.
[Edited on 4-28-2021 by JZ]Tioloco - 4-28-2021 at 12:19 PM
I've never crossed at San Luis before. I'm heading down to San Felipe with my Truck and 35' trailer. Looking for some advise on the border crossing
with a long truck and trailer. Also if someone has directions to the toll road that would be appreciated too!!
I cross at San Luis weekly. While pulling a 35' trailer you will have a very tough time making it thru the secondary/declaration line (On the left
side of the port of entry) in San Luis. What I do and is what is the norm when crossing Southbound at San Luis with a large trailer or boat is to use
the far right lane southbound.
As you approach, Mexican Customs will see you and have you stop in the far right lane under the ramada. They will place a cone behind your vehicle
effectively closing the lane off while they look at your documents. (There are several other lanes open)
The office to get FMM, etc. will be directly to your right. Once you are clear to proceed you will travel straight ahead approximately 300 feet to the
traffic light and make a right turn onto Ave. Obregon (also is the toll road).
