BajaNomad

Mexicali East crossing to Mex-5 soutlh

KasloKid - 12-7-2022 at 12:02 AM

Looking for advice after crossing into Baja, which route to take to get to Mex-5. Will be towing a travel trailer.... Will be crossing late January. Thanks in advance!

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/32.6853982,-115.3820242/32.4...

Brudentravel - 12-7-2022 at 07:45 AM

I just crossed and will be crossing again from Caliexico to Mexicali then down 5. It is busy and kinda hectic, there was a 40 minute wait on the way back but being on a moto I was able to go straight to the front. The other crossing is via 7, much less busy but you have to take some turns and few streets to get to 5 but it's not bad just trust your GPS. I will use 7 for my next trip. Highway 5 is a very nice road all the way down to 1 where it gets narrow and twisty in places and super straight in others. No gas (well there are the guys in the pickups selling gas) where 1 meets 5, so gas up in Gonzago or San Felipe on the way down.

Cancamo - 12-7-2022 at 09:09 AM

Navigating Mexicali to Hwy 5 after border crossing is much easier than before.
Follow the through one-way traffic and pay close attention to the signs to San Felipe, (small and few), there is an easy to miss right turn at a stop sign with small S Felipe sign. When you get to a major semaforo/stoplight, with the large comandancia/police station on the left, (no signs) make a left on the main four lane in front of the comandancia. Go up around three lights, make a right at last sign to San Felipe, Hwy 5..
Stay on this, turns into 5 shortly after.

In addition, (I assume it is a result of AMLOs effort to militarize government institutions), there were no Aduana or Migracion visable, only Ejercito, (military), performing infrequent inspections. I have never seen soldiers at the border. No green or red light, no stopping, most everybody waved right through.

Not to drift off topic, but the military is now in charge of the Federal Highway Police impound yard here in BCS, something to be concerned about as unlike the Feds, these guys are not trained for this or educated past the sixth grade, if that. I fear it is just the beginning of an overall takeover, based on other similar actions at federal institutions as of late throughout the Republic.

KasloKid - 12-7-2022 at 10:22 AM

Thanks for your input.
I should've been more clear about which route to take. If you click on the link I provided, there are two options to take (well three if you see the ridiculous route further east).

Once crossing the East crossing, I've a choice to turn right or turn left to find my way to Mexl-5. Turning right takes me down to Costco by Mex-5 and turning left takes me down to Mex-5 a little further south of Costco.

Any input from frequent travellers who've used the east crossing?

Navigating isn't a worry as I can input either route into my gps.

[Edited on 12-7-2022 by KasloKid]

philodog - 12-7-2022 at 10:38 AM

I like to turn right after leaving the border station even though the sign says left to San Felipe. Maybe it's because I'm used to that route but it seems easy to me. Turn right, follow the border fence until you come some kind of sculpture monument https://goo.gl/maps/Cntd6K6Db3u46usP8 Turn left and go thru mexicali without making any turns until you come to the Kenworth building https://goo.gl/maps/RuzP7Wv6UgaE1Lig9 and turn left and you're on 5.

AKgringo - 12-7-2022 at 11:04 AM

Quote: Originally posted by KasloKid  


Navigating isn't a worry as I can input either route into my gps.

[Edited on 12-7-2022 by KasloKid]


Oh, how I wish that was true! The last three times I have crossed at Mexicali northbound, my GPS was almost useless due to dead end and detours that even the most recent upgrades did not know about.

The first two of those three trips I was headed toward Mexicali West, so this last trip I set my GPS for the East crossing. After several detours I was left with followings signs, which led me to the west crossing one more time!

KasloKid - 12-7-2022 at 11:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Quote: Originally posted by KasloKid  


Navigating isn't a worry as I can input either route into my gps.

[Edited on 12-7-2022 by KasloKid]


Oh, how I wish that was true! The last three times I have crossed at Mexicali northbound, my GPS was almost useless due to dead end and detours that even the most recent upgrades did not know about.

The first two of those three trips I was headed toward Mexicali West, so this last trip I set my GPS for the East crossing. After several detours I was left with followings signs, which led me to the west crossing one more time!



Ouch! I know the feeling!
The way I now get around the confusion is to input waypoints at critical intersections, name them 1, 2, 3 etc. Once arriving at a waypoint, I select the next waypoint and so on. Works for me all the time.

Otherwise, Garmin likes to do things their way, which mostly messes me up.

[Edited on 12-7-2022 by KasloKid]

KasloKid - 12-7-2022 at 11:33 AM

Quote: Originally posted by philodog  
I like to turn right after leaving the border station even though the sign says left to San Felipe. Maybe it's because I'm used to that route but it seems easy to me. Turn right, follow the border fence until you come some kind of sculpture monument https://goo.gl/maps/Cntd6K6Db3u46usP8 Turn left and go thru mexicali without making any turns until you come to the Kenworth building https://goo.gl/maps/RuzP7Wv6UgaE1Lig9 and turn left and you're on 5.


Thank you for this. It's the way I was leaning towards.

BooJumMan - 12-7-2022 at 11:37 AM

I have only been using the Mexicali II (East) crossing for the last 5+ years. I take the same route each time, which is below. I would definitely NOT trust your GPS through Mexico.

After you cross and get your FMM and go through the border area, you make your first left and head east. It goes about 2 miles and curves back south. You make a right at the first large intersection, which is Calle Cetys. Go on Cetys for about another 2 miles west and make a left on Blvd Venustiano Carranza and stay on that going south until you hit the 5. You'll see lots of signs for Rio Hardy and San Felipe. Stay in the middle or left lane most of the time, there are some weird intersections but its pretty straightforward.

This route was given to me by a friend whos from Mexicali.

[Edited on 12-7-2022 by BooJumMan]

KasloKid - 12-7-2022 at 12:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BooJumMan  
I have only been using the Mexicali II (East) crossing for the last 5+ years. I take the same route each time, which is below. I would definitely NOT trust your GPS through Mexico.

After you cross and get your FMM and go through the border area, you make your first left and head east. It goes about 2 miles and curves back south. You make a right at the first large intersection, which is Calle Cetys. Go on Cetys for about another 2 miles west and make a left on Blvd Venustiano Carranza and stay on that going south until you hit the 5. You'll see lots of signs for Rio Hardy and San Felipe. Stay in the middle or left lane most of the time, there are some weird intersections but its pretty straightforward.

This route was given to me by a friend whos from Mexicali.

[Edited on 12-7-2022 by BooJumMan]


Thanks for an alternate route!! I traced it through Google Earth and it appears to be fairly straight forward. No commercial traffic and not complicated.

bajafreaks - 12-7-2022 at 04:35 PM

A little hijack here.
What about Mexicali West? Thats the route Ive gone 3 times and used gps to find 5. Never went southbound using East maybe its worth trying? I'll be crossing on 12/18.

mtgoat666 - 12-7-2022 at 06:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajafreaks  
A little hijack here.
What about Mexicali West? Thats the route Ive gone 3 times and used gps to find 5. Never went southbound using East maybe its worth trying? I'll be crossing on 12/18.


I always go southbound via Mexicali west and northbound thru Mexicali east.
I usually navigate south by pointing southward and using iPhone map app. The apple or Google navigation apps work well in Mexicali.
Northbound, I navigate by map app, and just approach the xing from the east side if going regular lane, and approach xing from west if going sentri.
The nav apps work well, and if I miss a turn the apps get me back on course.

phmilo - 12-7-2022 at 07:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BooJumMan  
I have only been using the Mexicali II (East) crossing for the last 5+ years. I take the same route each time, which is below. I would definitely NOT trust your GPS through Mexico.

After you cross and get your FMM and go through the border area, you make your first left and head east. It goes about 2 miles and curves back south. You make a right at the first large intersection, which is Calle Cetys. Go on Cetys for about another 2 miles west and make a left on Blvd Venustiano Carranza and stay on that going south until you hit the 5. You'll see lots of signs for Rio Hardy and San Felipe. Stay in the middle or left lane most of the time, there are some weird intersections but its pretty straightforward.

This route was given to me by a friend whos from Mexicali.

[Edited on 12-7-2022 by BooJumMan]


This is the route we use. It's pretty easy and gives you a couple quuck shopping options before you head out of town too.

KasloKid - 12-7-2022 at 11:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajafreaks  
A little hijack here.
What about Mexicali West? Thats the route Ive gone 3 times and used gps to find 5. Never went southbound using East maybe its worth trying? I'll be crossing on 12/18.


I'll be coming from Yuma and by utilizing the East crossing, I'll be shortening my route by 10 miles total. Besides, I've never done the East crossing and will be a first for me. New adventure.....

Thanks for all the input everyone! This is a prime example of why I joined Baja Nomads!

TSThornton - 12-8-2022 at 08:40 AM

After a police shakedown last year moving through the urban area after using the west crossing just before dawn, I now only use the east crossing both ways. It's comparatively bucolic out there, with green grass, open space and minimal stops. Doesn't feel as vulnerable to police or other hustles.

PaulW - 12-8-2022 at 09:32 AM

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=97435&pag...
Go to page 2 and see the routes from/to Mexicali east.
On my images the red path is the obvious best way going south.
Going north choose the Sentri from the west and the red line for Standard
These routes avoid as much as possible the congestion and for sure are best for trailer travel.
And avoid the Green route no matter what.

[Edited on 12-8-2022 by PaulW]

KasloKid - 12-8-2022 at 04:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=97435&pag...
Go to page 2 and see the routes from/to Mexicali east.
On my images the red path is the obvious best way going south.
Going north choose the Sentri from the west and the red line for Standard
These routes avoid as much as possible the congestion and for sure are best for trailer travel.
And avoid the Green route no matter what.

[Edited on 12-8-2022 by PaulW]


Thanks for confirming my choice!

jamesbee - 12-8-2022 at 08:22 PM

KasioKid I just went this same route, Take right out of border crossing then a left a ways down, another left at Costco. I was also pulling a travel trailer. Roads and traffic was fine. Coming N on way home used this routehttps://www.google.com/maps/dir/32.5437499,-115.4130164/32.6662862,-115.3813343/@32.6225259,-115.4610787,12.37z/am=t/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0

Was my 1st time driving in Baja. Cant wait till next time. Have fun!

Mulege Canuck - 12-9-2022 at 08:50 AM

Quote: Originally posted by KasloKid  
Looking for advice after crossing into Baja, which route to take to get to Mex-5. Will be towing a travel trailer.... Will be crossing late January. Thanks in advance!

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/32.6853982,-115.3820242/32.4...


We take this route. Less traffic and easy corners. We have a large truck camper on an F 350.

298D39A4-ED74-489A-AD21-F52ECAF4FE99.jpeg - 130kB

PaulW - 12-9-2022 at 09:19 AM

Mulege Chuck
He has a trailer and he has to go north form the east to get into the trailer Standard line.
IMO - That blue line is not recommended for any purpose due to the increase volume of traffic compared to the other ways.

David K - 12-9-2022 at 09:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by jamesbee  
KasioKid I just went this same route, Take right out of border crossing then a left a ways down, another left at Costco. I was also pulling a travel trailer. Roads and traffic was fine. Coming N on way home used this route
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/32.5437499,-115.4130164/32.6...

Was my 1st time driving in Baja. Cant wait till next time. Have fun!

Fixed the link by adding a space, plus here is an easier link to that route map, with a satellite base map:

https://goo.gl/maps/9G8yj3Pdi8Lqh4d96

jamesbee - 12-9-2022 at 11:04 AM

Perfect, thanks for fixing David!

Mulege Canuck - 12-9-2022 at 11:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by jamesbee  
KasioKid I just went this same route, Take right out of border crossing then a left a ways down, another left at Costco. I was also pulling a travel trailer. Roads and traffic was fine. Coming N on way home used this route
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/32.5437499,-115.4130164/32.6...

Was my 1st time driving in Baja. Cant wait till next time. Have fun!



Fixed the link by adding a space, plus here is an easier link to that route map, with a satellite base map:

https://goo.gl/maps/9G8yj3Pdi8Lqh4d96


That’s the route we go.

David K - 12-9-2022 at 01:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by jamesbee  
Perfect, thanks for fixing David!

No problema, amigo... Welcome to Baja Nomad!