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bajadude65
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 2-26-2020
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Calexico-Mexicali-la paz
First time driving this way-3 of us wheelchair users so any tips on approaching border-crossing using which lanes-best days to cross-fmm where we go
to get validated-any tips,thanks so much
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2308
Registered: 4-23-2006
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There is a wealth of information here. Welcome!
If you can ignore some negativity here, most have good intel,first hand skinny to offer
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10566
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Depending on where you are coming from (I'll assume SoCal), the West crossing is the best.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Be in the left lane at Mexicali #1 (West) to park for the FMM. Park and go into the building (with your passports) for the INM (immigration) desk.
After you have the FMMs, go back to the parking area then drive through the automatic gates... Red or Green light for random vehicle inspection,
ahead. Proceed south and follow signs for San Felipe (Mex #5). I won't confuse you with a short cut!
125 miles south, top your gas tank at San Felipe (5 stations in the area on the route). Turn right at the traffic circle (not the white arches, but
beyond them... this is the route south. In 10 kms (6 miles) from the traffic circle, you turn left for Puertecitos (and south). Ahead ends at the
airport. This is Km. 0 for the rest of Hwy. 5 south. In 200 kilometers you will reach Hwy. 1 which is the road for the rest of your trip. Next gas is
about 100 miles south. Never pass a gas station if you are below a half tank without topping off.
Try and see some things, don't be in a hurry! At San Ignacio oasis, turn right at the whale bones and go the 2 miles to the town plaza and see the
huge mission church, built in the 1700s with 4 ft. thick stone blocks!!!
I used it for the cover of my book>>>
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13197
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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Welcome Bajadude65! Have a wonderful trip and when you are done, give us a trip report to add to our archives, especially since it will include info
for future wheelchair users who travel to Baja.
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unbob
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Posts: 407
Registered: 8-7-2006
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Quote: Originally posted by JZ  | Depending on where you are coming from (I'll assume SoCal), the West crossing is the best.
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So, coming from the east on I-8, the east Calexico crossing is recommended?
"I'm too young to be this old!"
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BajaNomad
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Thread Moved
2-27-2020 at 11:32 AM |
JZ
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Registered: 10-3-2003
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Yes, it's a little faster when coming from the East. Avoids a little of the city traffic.
Going North I always use the East crossing.
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Bajazly
Super Nomad
Posts: 1013
Registered: 6-4-2015
Location: Goodbye Cali and Hello San Felipe
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Going thru East is not quite as straight forward getting to 5 as west is but it's not too difficult. Also going thru West in Calexico there are more
places to get gas and last minute things you may want. Many casa de cambios too. The very last one on the left always has the best rate, a block
before you have to turn right to go a block to enter the crossing.
Believing is religion - Knowing is science
Harald Pietschmann
"Get off the beaten path and memories, friends and new techniques are developed"
Bajazly, August 2019
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bajadude65
Newbie
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Registered: 2-26-2020
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we will be coming from LV NV to Calexico-so Mexicali west left lane it will be-love historic sites-local food-gas stations lol-hope to cross over
March between 18 to 25- so huge thanks for the info,we are very excited
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Please report back in after your trip (or during) to let us know you are ok and to hear what fun you had!
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bajadude65
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 2-26-2020
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weekday or weekends for the best times to cross at Mexicali to San felipe
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JZ
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Only time I've ever seen a backup was late afternoon on a Friday. We usually cross between 10am and noon or early evening.
Coming back is another matter. You need to time it. Avoid Sundays and certainly the end of holiday weekends.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Agree... avoid Friday late afternoon and early evening if southbound.
Northbound, I only recommend Tecate... extra driving is a whole lot better than waiting in line with idling cars!
However, even Tecate can have bad days.. no guarantees. Also it is NOT open 24 hours!! I think 11 pm or midnight to 5 am it is closed?
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10566
Registered: 10-3-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | Agree... avoid Friday late afternoon and early evening if southbound.
Northbound, I only recommend Tecate... extra driving is a whole lot better than waiting in line with idling cars!
However, even Tecate can have bad days.. no guarantees. Also it is NOT open 24 hours!! I think 11 pm or midnight to 5 am it is closed?
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You don't have Sentri?
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Don Pisto
Banned
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Registered: 8-1-2018
Location: El Pescador
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Mood: weary like everyone else
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never know, yesterday was 5-10 minutes readylane Otay at 12 noon.....returning from La Jolla to Chaparral at 4:30 was two effin hours! 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | Agree... avoid Friday late afternoon and early evening if southbound.
Northbound, I only recommend Tecate... extra driving is a whole lot better than waiting in line with idling cars!
However, even Tecate can have bad days.. no guarantees. Also it is NOT open 24 hours!! I think 11 pm or midnight to 5 am it is closed?
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You don't have Sentri?
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No. No Sentri at Tecate, either. Mid-week, there is no line and weekends is 45 minutes average.
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JZ
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Why don't you have Sentri?
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Bajazly
Super Nomad
Posts: 1013
Registered: 6-4-2015
Location: Goodbye Cali and Hello San Felipe
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Mood: More Relaxed Everyday
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I cross about 3 to 5 times a month, crossed twice in one day about a week ago, and once you deal with the 1 or 2 or no car wait, Tecate will be a
distant memory.I usually wait longer for the traffic light to get onto city streets than I do at the gate and I've been there all different times and
days.
Believing is religion - Knowing is science
Harald Pietschmann
"Get off the beaten path and memories, friends and new techniques are developed"
Bajazly, August 2019
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Sentri is designed for people who cross frequently, like Bajazly.
Typically, I cross 2-4 times a YEAR, not a month. Only in 2017 did I cross more, 8 times researching for the new road guide.
The border wait, if there is one, is simply a part of the trip. I don't allow such things to upset me.
By all means, if you cross every month, get one.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18391
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | Sentri is designed for people who cross frequently, like Bajazly.
Typically, I cross 2-4 times a YEAR, not a month. Only in 2017 did I cross more, 8 times researching for the new road guide.
The border wait, if there is one, is simply a part of the trip. I don't allow such things to upset me.
By all means, if you cross every month, get one. |
sentri and global entry are great for even infrequent border crossing. the border line can be unpredictable, and the long line is always frustrating
-- nothing is worse than waiting in a long line on sunday night after a long trip when you are tired after 8 hours of driving!
the added bonus of tsa pre-check is worth it alone -- the only thing worse than a border line on a sunday night is having to remove your shoes and
belt and toiletries and laptop at airport security!
and the price of sentri or ge is super cheap, works out to about $25/year/person.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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