BajaNomad

San Luis Border crossing

CJ - 7-6-2019 at 07:25 AM

I’m going from San Felipe to Phoenix thinking of crossing at the San Luis crossing. This would be the first time crossing there, how is it there?

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mtnpop - 7-6-2019 at 07:33 AM

We have done this crossing for several years now. pretty easy most of the time and there is now a bypass from San Luis that goes around the east side of Yuma and connects with I8 a couple of stop lights on it but very little traffic.
we are very happy using this crossing..
some of our friends use Algodones just west of San Luis but I think there may be more traffic
good luck

BajaRob - 7-6-2019 at 08:01 AM

We cross at San Luis 5 or 6 times a year. Northbound we use the south lane which is the Sentri lane. Crossing time is 1-2 minutes. Algodones does not have a Sentri lane and can take up to 2 hours.

AKgringo - 7-6-2019 at 08:30 AM

My experience with that crossing was the same as BajaRob, but that was five years ago! I still think you have a good plan crossing there.

BajaRat - 7-7-2019 at 07:13 PM

Weekends are a little slower, hour plus without setri pass
Lionel :cool:

1surfer - 8-4-2019 at 04:12 PM

How about south bound at San Luis ? I am heading to La Ventana from Colorado and that seems the most direct. Probably would take the E cutoff from I8.

bajabuddha - 8-4-2019 at 04:28 PM

1surfer, if you're in a hurry your best shot from CO is down I-25 to Hatch NM, take the cut-off to Deming, then west on I-10, take the I-8 interchange west to a bit over the CA border to Calexico/Mexicali and southbound there (if you're not hauling a big trailer).

The road from San Luis RC to Mexicali is kinda boring... if you're NOT in a hurry and wanna see better country get to Gila Bend AZ, go south to Sonoita then west on the Mex. hwy. Good scenery till you get to San Luis RC, then boring like I said.

chippy - 8-4-2019 at 04:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 1surfer  
How about south bound at San Luis ? I am heading to La Ventana from Colorado and that seems the most direct. Probably would take the E cutoff from I8.



Easy peasy. Take Araby rd. hwy 195. Southbound early mornings are best. By far the easiest crossing.

1surfer - 8-4-2019 at 05:10 PM

Just looking at a map, it seems like the San Luis road goes south and then intersects the same road that heads south from Mexicali. Headed to El Rosario then Guerro Negro. The san luis crossing looks shorter. Not in a super hurry but thought the crossing line in may be shorter. Looks like once in Mex you go south on 40 to 4 then south on 5. Maybe not that much shorter.

Just wondering what would be better. Mexicali or San luis in regards of crossing line time in general.

1surfer - 8-4-2019 at 05:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
Quote: Originally posted by 1surfer  
How about south bound at San Luis ? I am heading to La Ventana from Colorado and that seems the most direct. Probably would take the E cutoff from I8.



Easy peasy. Take Araby rd. hwy 195. Southbound early mornings are best. By far the easiest crossing.


That is what it looks like on the map. I like the sound of easiest crossing. That sort of what I am after

Bajazly - 8-4-2019 at 09:43 PM

Be careful of the roads that go south out of San Luis or Algodones, not the they are dangerous but they will go thru a lot of small towns with a lot of traffic, small markets on the side of the road and trucks. South out of Mexicali is very easy and there is for all intents and purposes, no wait in line, maybe a quick inspection but not any kind of line.

Inmigración for your Fmm is on the left heading in and there is a good easy parking lot right before you cross.

San luis

1surfer - 8-5-2019 at 08:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly  
Be careful of the roads that go south out of San Luis or Algodones, not the they are dangerous but they will go thru a lot of small towns with a lot of traffic, small markets on the side of the road and trucks. South out of Mexicali is very easy and there is for all intents and purposes, no wait in line, maybe a quick inspection but not any kind of line.

Inmigración for your Fmm is on the left heading in and there is a good easy parking lot right before you cross.


So you are saying that I should consider going over at Mexicali because the drive south from there is easier ? less congested ?

Bajazly - 8-5-2019 at 08:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 1surfer  
Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly  
Be careful of the roads that go south out of San Luis or Algodones, not the they are dangerous but they will go thru a lot of small towns with a lot of traffic, small markets on the side of the road and trucks. South out of Mexicali is very easy and there is for all intents and purposes, no wait in line, maybe a quick inspection but not any kind of line.

Inmigración for your Fmm is on the left heading in and there is a good easy parking lot right before you cross.


So you are saying that I should consider going over at Mexicali because the drive south from there is easier ? less congested ?


You make good time west on I-8 then just a little town traffic thru Mexicali then it's fast all the way into San Felipe. If time is no big deal then the back roads are cool. Small towns, levee roads, farms and people to see. Often the road less traveled is cool but in this case for sure slower.