BajaNomad - NB Mexicali border crossing

NB Mexicali border crossing

elfbrewery - 3-31-2023 at 03:45 PM

We drove north through Mexicali East last time and it took way too long. We'll be crossing on a Sunday morning via Mexicali West. Google has me taking the Sentri lane, but we can't. What is the normal route going north via Mexicali West?
Thanks!!

AKgringo - 3-31-2023 at 03:55 PM

I wish I could help you, but I have wound up taking a different route each of my last four trips through the west crossing!

Using a GPS such as Garmin, or TomTom won't help either, because even with a current update, they probably have not kept up with the ever-changing detours due to construction or traffic modifications.

There are probably Phone apps that do a better job than my Garmin, but I have not used one. Following the signs has given me quite an exposure to Mexicali.

Lee - 3-31-2023 at 04:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by elfbrewery

We drove north through Mexicali East last time and it took way too long. We'll be crossing on a Sunday morning via Mexicali West. Google has me taking the Sentri lane, but we can't. What is the normal route going north via Mexicali West?
Thanks!!

I stage in SF overnight and at Mexicali East at 8am on any Sunday NB. Plan your crossing time better.

Other times of day, luck of the draw for either crossing.

mtgoat666 - 3-31-2023 at 05:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee

Quote: Originally posted by elfbrewery

I stage in SF overnight and at Mexicali East at 8am on any Sunday NB. Plan your crossing time better.

Other times of day, luck of the draw for either crossing.

Get sentri or global entry!

Good luck getting approved

thebajarunner - 4-1-2023 at 10:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote: Originally posted by Lee

Quote: Originally posted by elfbrewery

I stage in SF overnight and at Mexicali East at 8am on any Sunday NB. Plan your crossing time better.

Other times of day, luck of the draw for either crossing.

Get sentri or global entry!

I am now at 18 months pending approval
Took Goat advice and asked my Congresslady for help
She tried,
They told us both to sit down, shut up and wait.
System is broken as is most of our government

AguaDulce - 4-1-2023 at 10:32 AM

I am waiting for my Sentri/Global card. I took the interview last Monday at Otay. The total time from application to interview was less than 3 weeks.Not hard at all. Broken Govt? Maybe, but you need to put in the effort if you want it.

elfbrewery - 4-1-2023 at 11:10 AM

I'm not interested in getting a Sentri card. I just want to know driving directions through Mexicali to the westbound crossing. I will be driving up from San Felipe early, so wait time might not be bad, maybe...

bajaric - 4-1-2023 at 01:43 PM

Since no one else has chimed in, I can describe crossing at Mexicali west about a year ago, after the new construction that realigned the crossing. When driving north on the 5, the "old way" is still an option. Drive north all the way until within a block of the border, then make a right turn (east) at the last minute. This puts you on a one-way street. Drive east five blocks until you pass the left turn where sign says "sentri" then start looking towards the left at each intersection until you are beyond the end of the line. Turn left. After one short block you will dead end at the border fence where a one-way road goes west. Turn left (west). The wait is usually one or two hours.

It is possible to approach the crossing from the west, the "new way", but I have not attempted it and have heard it is confusing and easy to get in Sentri by mistake.

elfbrewery - 4-1-2023 at 02:06 PM

Thanks. It does look confusing. I'll keep digging.

thebajarunner - 4-1-2023 at 06:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AguaDulce

I am waiting for my Sentri/Global card. I took the interview last Monday at Otay. The total time from application to interview was less than 3 weeks.Not hard at all. Broken Govt? Maybe, but you need to put in the effort if you want it.

Wow, I cannot wait to hear how you suggest that "I put in the effort" to bust through this log jam.
I applied for me, and then my wife, same day. She got her interview in a couple weeks. My app is "Still Pending"
And the blessed (incompetent) government agency will not give you further information or assistance.... JUST WAIT!!!
My congresslady could not make it happen
I await your further suggestions....

rccali - 4-2-2023 at 01:26 AM

Quote: Originally posted by elfbrewery

Thanks. It does look confusing. I'll keep digging.

It's been a few months since I last crossed from the West side of the Northbound POE but in November of last year there was temporary signage in place on Avenida Baja California that will direct you to the entryway coming from the West side of the border crossing.

As you are driving north on the 5 turn left onto Calle Jose Azueta and then turn right on the next street Av Reforma. Av Reforma turns into an overpass that goes over the sentri lanes below and then becomes Avenida Baja California.

After several blocks you will see a sign directing you to Calexico. You turn right and then in 4 blocks you turn right again at Calle Internacional which leads to the regular border lanes. They have concrete barricades in place when you make the right onto Calle Internacional. You pass over the regular lanes just before you take a circular ramp down from the overpass. If you notice that there is a longer wait entering from the West side than the East side you can continue straight instead of taking the circular exit ramp down which will lead back to Av Madero and to the East side entrance.

It's not as difficult as it sounds. After you navigate it once or possibly twice you will see that it's not that complicated.

elfbrewery - 4-2-2023 at 12:40 PM

Very descriptive and appreciated. Your reply resolves a lot of my questions and I feel it should be the way to go on a Sunday morning. No se sabe nunca.
The only thing I need to watch for is getting into the correct lane on Calle Internacional?
Thanks so much!

rccali - 4-2-2023 at 10:03 PM

Yes unlike the road next to the border fence on the East side the traffic goes in both directions on the West side. So make sure you turn into the first lane and not the second lane with oncoming West bound traffic.

Whenever I cross and I see there are wait times more than 30 minutes I always check both sides to see which is less backed up. When I have crossed in the past several times there have been drastic differences in wait times for each side depending on how many lanes are open and where the open lanes are located.