hombre66
Nomad
Posts: 281
Registered: 10-29-2014
Member Is Offline
|
|
New route ino baja for me
I will be in Quartzite AZ before heading down to San Felipe around 3/1. With only the aid of my 2004 AAA map, I need to wriggle my way thru the maze
of streets and roads that will take me well south of Mexicali, via Algodones. It looks like BC2,3,and 4 connect all the way to 5. Is this a clear and
well signed route.? 'preciate someones experienced help.
|
|
|
Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6327
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
|
|
The road from Algodones is well signed and easily followed. No maps necessary.
Be prepared for some great food farming aromas along the way. San Felipe is very enjoyable at this time of year. Be sure to stop at Ruben's camp for a
COCO LOCO.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
|
|
|
Fatboy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 716
Registered: 6-28-2005
Member Is Offline
|
|
It is a interesting drive. I did it a bunch times when living in Phoenix.
The drive to San Felipe from San Luis/Yuma crossing taking 2 to 3 to 4 to 5 is pretty straight forward, never started in Algodones though.
A couple of things, it seems the 2 is just out of San Luis, closer than I always expect and I almost miss it everytime.
The first part of the drive is on a relatively narrow levee so it can be a little nerve wracking if you are towing something long or wide, or if
driving on levees 20 feet above everything bugs you.
Other than that it is straight forward with lots of gas station all way to just a few miles before you hit Highway 5 to San Felipe so you do not have
to worry about filling up in San Luis for the long drive.
So it seems well signed and easy to follow to me and it is easy for me to get lost driving in a new area.
[Edited on 2-19-2018 by Fatboy]
|
|
|
woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15938
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
|
|
We crossed south at San Lou one time and easily found the road to Mexicali and then SF. There was one weird intersection where we had to pass the
obvious route and make a uturn to continue south.
You're a Baja veteran. Shouldn't be any problem.....
|
|
|
AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5835
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retireded
|
|
If you are coming down from Quartzite, you will be on hwy 95. I would head for San Luis and cross there. Better and less confusing roads, probably
less traffic!
I don't know where the immigration office is for your FMM, so ask at the crossing point. The right turn for Mex 2 is not very far after entering.
Edit; Woody types faster than me! If confusing, but enjoyable routes are ok with you, you could try zig-zagging through the farm country between
San Luis and Mex 5. I enjoyed it!
[Edited on 2-19-2018 by AKgringo]
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
|
|
|
woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15938
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
|
|
The FMM place is immediately on your right when you cross. Park under the shade structure on the left and tell them you need a visa. You are now in
secondary so don't sweat it,
|
|
|
chippy
Super Nomad
Posts: 1698
Registered: 2-2-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
Cross at San Luis and take 2 to 2d (libramiento de Mexicali)then on to 5 much mo betta.
[Edited on 2-19-2018 by chippy]
|
|
|
hombre66
Nomad
Posts: 281
Registered: 10-29-2014
Member Is Offline
|
|
Reason for going thru Algondones : Picked up my 180 day tourist card for a future trip there on my way to NM last winter. Parking on the US side and
walking in to the migra station , then walking back again was a snap. I loathe trying to find a place to park Mexico side. I will study all offerings
and decide. Much thanks to all.
|
|
|
KasloKid
Nomad
Posts: 326
Registered: 8-29-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
You could park on the US side at San Luis as well (lots of metered street parking available), walk across, get your FMM and return to the US and your
vehicle.
When you get on your way, after crossing into Mexico, move over to the right lane ASAP.... you'll be turning right at the first traffic light, which
is Mex 2. You'll go through a toll booth within the first mile.
About 30 miles later, take the exit to San Felipe (crosses over Mex 2).
7 miles later, take the exit to San Felipe (Mex 5).
You'll have to travel north towards Mexicali a couple of hundred feet and pull a U-Turn to head south to San Felipe (you'll see lots of tire tracks).
If you return the same way, there isn't an obvious way to get onto Mex 2 east bound from Mex 5. You'll have to cross under Mex 5, do the U-Turn and
head back towards San Felipe.... just after you cross back under Mex 2, exit on the right, pay the toll, then the road becomes the on-ramp for Mex 2
east.
If you use Google Earth, you can plainly see what I'm describing.
This route comes out at the far southern end of Mexicali, so no stress and drama by avoiding the drive through the city.
|
|
|
hombre66
Nomad
Posts: 281
Registered: 10-29-2014
Member Is Offline
|
|
Xlnt directions Kaslo!
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64543
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Kaslo is giving you what many have posted here as the fastest and easiest route... Hwy. 2-D, Libramiento de Mexicali. The short cut route (Mex 2 >
BC 3 > BC4 > Mex 5) will take longer as there are numerous farm towns and farm traffic.
The U-turn opening to get connected from 2-D west to 5 south is a bit further north than before... about 1/2 mile north of the 2-D overpass. The same
for north 5 to 2-D east.
[Edited on 2-20-2018 by David K]
|
|
|
hombre66
Nomad
Posts: 281
Registered: 10-29-2014
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks DK but.. seems your route will put me into the urban world of Mexicali.
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64543
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Not "my" route, but what KasloKid detailed. It is south of urban Mexicali, all highway driving. As I said, everyone who uses it and have posted here
says it is a faster and easier way than the cross-farm route of Highway 2>3>4>5.
|
|
|
AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5835
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retireded
|
|
I have driven both routes, and what David said is correct, especially if you are driving a big rig, or towing something.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
|
|
|
hombre66
Nomad
Posts: 281
Registered: 10-29-2014
Member Is Offline
|
|
Google earth helped alot. I am towing a tent trailer, so the reccomended route closer to Mexicali is the one. Thanks again to everyones input. Headed
to Final for some kayak fishing.
|
|
|
Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2757
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
Member Is Offline
Mood: Waiting
|
|
No problema. Just follow the signs. Don't forget the right turn and then a U-turn when you get to Mex5 from Mex 2D toll booth.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
