Mexicali East Driving

Mexicali crossing – Finding a good route after 20 years of experience.
Going South –
Always choose the non-declare gate. If an inspection is required, the border person will make a lane for you to park in. If you need an FMM ask for instructions and directions, then walk a short distance to the office. Pay the agent. No bank is required. Nowadays they use credit cards.



Driving south from the gates:
There are two choices the Google map choice and the city traffic avoidance route = East route.
I highly recommend the later which uses a left turn at the border exit onto the main boulevard then traveling east – south - west- south. This applies any time of the day due to easier drive. During busy times the left turn requires crossing the heavy traffic lane heading north. See the map.
Going north –
It is more complicated because during high traffic times morning and evening It gets tricky. During mid-day with light traffic both ways described will work, but some require hard turns or U turns to enter the border.
Again, there are two main choices the Google map choice and the city traffic avoidance route = East route.
Google maps only works for Sentri/Ready during high traffic. The reason is during high traffic you cannot enter Standard without driving east down the boulevard until you can make a U turn and enter the east route.
If you follow the East route, you will find you cannot make the right turn into the Sentri/Ready land either because of traffic or because a cop will wave you westbound. Going westbound past the border you will have to make a U turn to get into the left lane the Sentri/Ready. That lane eventually turns left into the border. During high traffic this way may no be [possible due to the long lines.
The East route is best and required for standard entry. See the map.
Northbound it is required to use Standard and as you approach the gate use the Right Lane.
Folks with trailers are required to use Standard far left (east) Lane. The only trailer seen in the Sentri are small utility ones. Don’t try it with a big one. The lane is narrow and the exit from the gate requires a hard right.
Overall map view explanation:
Green is Google Maps leading to Sentri/Ready. Blue is East route to Sentri/Ready. Red is East route to Standard.

And images near the border



The image above shows the two routes.
Use the Sentri/Ready path and get in the left lane when you turn east to allow a left turn into the border lanes. There are two lanes provided for S/R is the left lane is Sentry and right lane is Ready.
The Standard entry lane follows the truck route. And makes an easy right turn into a single border lane. That lane is now a generous single lane as it is too narrow for two lanes. Big improvement. As you all should know by now this is the only crossing for trailers and Motorhomes. If you do not follow these directions and try to turn into Standard Lane with a west approach you will have to go a long way to find a U-turn. Likewise, there is a cop that will prevent you from entering S/R lanes when the approach is from the truck route.

BTW, going southbound when using the truck route watch for the new sign “Rio Hardy -5”. There is a San Felipe sign that is dark and hard to read. Short left turn lane. Southbound following the S/R route is straightforward with no need for signage. Using the S/R route avoids left turn to follow the truck route at the busy intersection at the border exit.



The image above is self seems clear enough. When you get to the inspection station find one for Sentri and hardly any vehicles. The Ready Lane is full of vehicles and there are 4+ inspection stations. The Standard line opens to two lines and two inspection stations. Sometimes they open and extra lane for motorcycles – left of standard lanes. Rigs pulling small trailers have been observed in both lanes. The right lane is miserably slow.
Be aware there are new height limitations going north. The only lanes with no height restriction are the two lanes to the right (east side) used for buses and motorhomes. I do not know the clearances. I have been told it is less than 7 feet. That means a lifted truck will not fit. Do not expect the height limitation to be posted on the Mexican side.

Quote: Originally posted by floydo

Don't know why, but northbound for the past 5 years or so I've used the sentri turn coming from the east low traffic route and taken the hard right. That said, I've never seen police at the intersection. I guess if you get waved, then it is the u turn into the turn lane eastbound..... Hmmmm... Nice post Paul! [Edited on 10-24-2023 by floydo]

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

Going South – Always choose the non-declare gate. If an inspection is required, the border person will make a lane for you to park in.

Mexicali East -- I always choose the non-declare (gates on the left), and always get inspected.




That right turn into the parking area you highlight in red is difficult to make without hopping the nasty oversized curb with your right-rear tire (lifted vehicle with oversized tires recommended), though perhaps a multi-point turn could be done.

Quote: Originally posted by geoffff

Thanks for sharing your experience, Paul! Quote: Originally posted by PaulW   Going South – Always choose the non-declare gate. If an inspection is required, the border person will make a lane for you to park in. Mexicali East -- I always choose the non-declare (gates on the left), and always get inspected. My experience for past several years is go thru non declare, they pause you on the covered area angled slots on the left. When done ask where to park for FMM and they say just beyond on the left. Walk then to the right under the cover to pick up FMM. The FMM and payment is in the same covered area as the inspectors.... Cheers

Going south on the "east" (red) route.

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

Really sucks for the last 3 weeks. Red track. Construction at the San Luis highway intersection both N and S with terrible detours to get you lost unless you have a newer car with an up to date city map.

Quote: Originally posted by ChrisLaPaz

Floydo, Is the fmm office in the building labeled “fmm park for customs” in the image or in the covered area labeled “inspectors”? I’m going there in a couple weeks and never entered at Mexicali before.

Quote: Originally posted by ChrisLaPaz

I’m riding my motorcycle down to la Paz (live there half time) and didn’t want to leave it unattended while I search around to get fmm.

Quote: Originally posted by ChrisLaPaz

Not really committed to the east. I was going to use the west crossing but seeing the the immigration/fmm office is right at the east crossing I thought it might be easier. I’m riding my motorcycle down to la Paz (live there half time) and didn’t want to leave it unattended while I search around to get fmm. I’ve entered at every other crossing and returned to USA through Mexicali west (which was horrible with an rv pulling a trailer ). San Luis has been my favorite but it’s out of the way as I’m coming from Palm Springs area. If the fmm office is right at the crossing with good parking at Mexicali west I’d probably go that way because of the proximity to getting on 5. I’m not all that concerned about it, just wondering.

Quote: Originally posted by ChrisLaPaz

Not really committed to the east. I was going to use the west crossing but seeing the the immigration/fmm office is right at the east crossing I thought it might be easier. I’m riding my motorcycle down to la Paz (live there half time) and didn’t want to leave it unattended while I search around to get fmm. I’ve entered at every other crossing and returned to USA through Mexicali west (which was horrible with an rv pulling a trailer ). San Luis has been my favorite but it’s out of the way as I’m coming from Palm Springs area. If the fmm office is right at the crossing with good parking at Mexicali west I’d probably go that way because of the proximity to getting on 5. I’m not all that concerned about it, just wondering.

I guess I did something similar to Boojuman described above.
Here is a good way. I will try it next time.

Novena, 2, north a short way N on 2, left to Roble, Rt to Largo del Nte, left to Venusyiano, left on 5 south. Hope it works?

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

David No signs for that newest East route shown above. None should be needed. I worry about the left turn from 2 to Roble because GE is not detailed to my satisfaction. The West route has signs and there is so much traffic most folks miss the sign. That is where the Hwy 5 has a gentile right at the Y. Easy to be in the wrong lane for sure. My last crossing south from west crossing I missed a sign and got totally lost and had to pull over and get orientated. It has been a while so maybe signs are better. On the first post on this thread the green route for the east Mexicali crossing still functions as I described. Signs are still an issue.

Quote: Originally posted by Bajaroad

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW   David No signs for that newest East route shown above. None should be needed. I worry about the left turn from 2 to Roble because GE is not detailed to my satisfaction. The West route has signs and there is so much traffic most folks miss the sign. That is where the Hwy 5 has a gentile right at the Y. Easy to be in the wrong lane for sure. My last crossing south from west crossing I missed a sign and got totally lost and had to pull over and get orientated. It has been a while so maybe signs are better. On the first post on this thread the green route for the east Mexicali crossing still functions as I described. Signs are still an issue. Given the closure detours, would you say your Green route is now the preferred route going south? Just more congested? I've only ever taken the Red route, except once from the West crossing.

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

Google maps does not show closures

Mexicali is small city. Don't sweat it. Point south, drive on!

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW   Google maps does not show closures Mexicali is small city. Don't sweat it. Point south, drive on!

Quote: Originally posted by Bajaroad

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666   Quote: Originally posted by PaulW   Google maps does not show closures Mexicali is small city. Don't sweat it. Point south, drive on! Yep.....no sweat. Trying to get it straight tho because I'm on a moto leading another rider, which makes it more difficult to follow directions and communicate. I'm using a Garmin GPS, and it's offering these directions which differ only slightly from Google. ,.........Well I'd share the Garmin route but the file size limit is too small.

East Crossing going north

Quote: Originally posted by ChrisLaPaz

Floydo, Is the fmm office in the building labeled “fmm park for customs” in the image or in the covered area labeled “inspectors”? I’m going there in a couple weeks and never entered at Mexicali before.

Quote: Originally posted by baja-chris

My last trip north I got to the Mexical East crossing at 8:15pm. It closed at 8pm. No mention of this on the US border website. Had to reroute to west crossing and got shook down my local cops TWICE. F those guys. I'm so tired of the corruption down there.

2x shake down

Quote: Originally posted by baja-chris

First one was speeding. I was in center lane going speed limit or within a few mph of it and getting passed on both sides by much faster traffic. Second one was a lane change/merge as we approached the west crossing about 2 miles after the first stop. Different cop. Perhaps they talked on radio. I was towing a flatbed with expensive truck on it. Its not really the time nor the money. It just the corruption that bugs me which is why I did not pay the first one but after 45 min on the second one they wore me down and I gave them $38. I was shocked they wasted so much time on me. Guess they were convinced I'd eventually start peeling off $100 bills. Wrong.

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Quote: Originally posted by baja-chris   First one was speeding. I was in center lane going speed limit or within a few mph of it and getting passed on both sides by much faster traffic. Second one was a lane change/merge as we approached the west crossing about 2 miles after the first stop. Different cop. Perhaps they talked on radio. I was towing a flatbed with expensive truck on it. Its not really the time nor the money. It just the corruption that bugs me which is why I did not pay the first one but after 45 min on the second one they wore me down and I gave them $38. I was shocked they wasted so much time on me. Guess they were convinced I'd eventually start peeling off $100 bills. Wrong. In the future or for Nomads reading this... Rather than play their game, insist on going to the station! If you did violate the law, the fines in Mexico are small. If you are innocent, they will leave you alone for easier prey. They may ask that you follow them to the station, but then pull over and give you your license back. They will not take you to the station if you are innocent, since you will tell the judge how the officer attempted to extort cash from you. It is illegal for a cop to accept money!! They know Americans are fearful of Mexican jails, etc., and have that fear edge. They also know Americans are in a hurry and will pay to end the game. *Don't be in a hurry and don't play... Insist on going to the station and seeing the judge.

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Quote: Originally posted by baja-chris   First one was speeding. I was in center lane going speed limit or within a few mph of it and getting passed on both sides by much faster traffic. Second one was a lane change/merge as we approached the west crossing about 2 miles after the first stop. Different cop. Perhaps they talked on radio. I was towing a flatbed with expensive truck on it. Its not really the time nor the money. It just the corruption that bugs me which is why I did not pay the first one but after 45 min on the second one they wore me down and I gave them $38. I was shocked they wasted so much time on me. Guess they were convinced I'd eventually start peeling off $100 bills. Wrong. In the future or for Nomads reading this... Rather than play their game, insist on going to the station! If you did violate the law, the fines in Mexico are small. If you are innocent, they will leave you alone for easier prey. They may ask that you follow them to the station, but then pull over and give you your license back. They will not take you to the station if you are innocent, since you will tell the judge how the officer attempted to extort cash from you. It is illegal for a cop to accept money!! They know Americans are fearful of Mexican jails, etc., and have that fear edge. They also know Americans are in a hurry and will pay to end the game. *Don't be in a hurry and don't play... Insist on going to the station and seeing the judge.

Quote: Originally posted by Lee

Quote: Originally posted by David K   Quote: Originally posted by baja-chris   First one was speeding. I was in center lane going speed limit or within a few mph of it and getting passed on both sides by much faster traffic. Second one was a lane change/merge as we approached the west crossing about 2 miles after the first stop. Different cop. Perhaps they talked on radio. I was towing a flatbed with expensive truck on it. Its not really the time nor the money. It just the corruption that bugs me which is why I did not pay the first one but after 45 min on the second one they wore me down and I gave them $38. I was shocked they wasted so much time on me. Guess they were convinced I'd eventually start peeling off $100 bills. Wrong. In the future or for Nomads reading this... Rather than play their game, insist on going to the station! If you did violate the law, the fines in Mexico are small. If you are innocent, they will leave you alone for easier prey. They may ask that you follow them to the station, but then pull over and give you your license back. They will not take you to the station if you are innocent, since you will tell the judge how the officer attempted to extort cash from you. It is illegal for a cop to accept money!! They know Americans are fearful of Mexican jails, etc., and have that fear edge. They also know Americans are in a hurry and will pay to end the game. *Don't be in a hurry and don't play... Insist on going to the station and seeing the judge. Opposite POV here. DON'T GO TO ANY POLICE STATION! I'm guessing Dave missed the post recently about what happened at the police station. Thinking because you did nothing illegal and are innocent will get you off with a reprimand. Wrong. I've written about this before, 2nd hand info from a friend who went to the station in Ciudad. Didn't turn out well for him. A scam is a scam and if stopped on the street, trust that you will be scammed at the station. Not necessarily 100% of the time. Going to the station means you trust the police and the justice system where ever you are. To me, that's naive. The ''Judge'' at the station might be the janitor, another corrupt cop. There is no REAL judge at the station to administer justice. It's all a scam. Negotiate on the street and don't waste a lot of time. Geeze. What bullshlt! ''If you are innocent, they'll leave you alone." Stop with the bogus advice Dave!

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Not bogus at all... 2nd hand story may be true in Constitución. The post was about a border city (Mexicali), was it not? Sure, negotiate with the cop if you can... and show friendliness, honesty, apologetic, and none of your America superiority BS. In my 50 years of driving in Mexico, I have a few stories, and have never been burned by a cop when I negotiated myself out of a bogus traffic stop. They all make good fireside stories, too.

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