Southbound Driving Directions

After crossing the border and going through Customs at the Calexico/Mexicali East Gate, continue straight. You will soon come to a T-intersection. Turn LEFT at the T-intersection and go east.

Continue approximately 1.4 miles to the second stop light and turn RIGHT onto a six-lane road. There is one stop sign before these two stop lights. At the first stop light, you will see an OXXO store and a Pemex gas station on the left. At the second stop light (where you turn right), you will see a Pemex gas station across the street on the left.

Continue approximately 1.3 miles to the first stop light and turn LEFT. You will see a sign before the left turn that says Centro Cívico and San Felipe. After the left turn, you will be on a four-lane street that has big power lines in the center divider. The name of this street is Carranza, but there is no street sign.

Continue on this street (Carranza) all the way to Highway 5, which is about 6.5 miles. You will encounter approximately 18 stop signs and stop lights, as follows:

  • Stop sign.
  • Stop light: Eucalipto Street (Calafia industrial park on the right, OXXO store and Pemex gas station on left).
  • Stop light.
  • Stop light.
  • Stop light: You will see a San Felipe sign. Get in the lane under this sign (middle lane). It is a little congested around here.
  • Stop light.
  • Stop sign: Taco Luis on right.
  • Stop light: OXXO stores on right AND left.
  • Stop sign: Baja 1000 on right.
  • Stop sign: OXXO store on left.
  • Stop sign: LG Electronics plant on left.
  • Stop light: Railroad tracks.
  • Stop sign: Palacio on left.
  • Stop sign: Del Oro Street.
  • Stop sign: Abeto Street (Goodrich on right).
  • Stop sign: El Piñon Street.
  • Stop sign: Manzanilla Street.
  • Stop light: This is Highway 5. Turn LEFT here. There is a Pemex gas station on the right. There is also an orange sign that says San Felipe (with a left-pointing arrow).

Continue on Highway 5 all the way to El Dorado Ranch/La Ventana del Mar, which is approximately 105 miles. El Dorado Ranch/La Ventana del Mar is at highway kilometer marker 176. El Dorado Ranch/La Ventana del Mar is about 8 miles north of the town of San Felipe.

Dirt Road Detours (subject to change)

Dirt Road Detour South of Mexicali

There is a dirt road detour on the southern outskirts of Mexicali as a result of the earthquake on April 4, 2010. This detour is located at approximately highway kilometer marker 40, near the cutoff to Algodones. The detour is approximately 3 miles long. It has many ruts and loose gravel, and it is very dusty (or muddy, if it has been raining). Drive carefully.

Dirt Road Detour North of San Felipe

There is a dirt road detour approximately 30 miles north of El Dorado Ranch. This detour is approximately 9 miles long. It has many ruts and loose gravel, and it is very dusty (or muddy, if it has been raining). Expect to go 20-30 mph on this stretch. There is a military checkpoint during this detour.

Also during this detour, you will encounter a Y. Stay to the left, heading generally south. (If you go to the right, you will be heading west on Highway 3 to Ensenada. If you find yourself on this road, you will soon encounter a second military checkpoint. Turn around and get back to Highway 5.)

Military Checkpoint

There is a military checkpoint approximately 22 miles north of El Dorado Ranch. You must stop here. The guards will ask to look inside your car, and they will probably ask you to get out of your car. The guards do not speak very much English. They are looking for guns, ammunition, and drugs. If you are courteous and cooperative, everything should be fine.




Other Driving Notes




Be sure to buy Mexican car insurance and carry a copy of it in your car.




Do not bring any guns, ammunition, or drugs into Mexico.




There are very few street signs in Mexico.  Most people refer to landmarks when giving directions.




All mileage and speed signs are in kilometers.  Multiply by 0.6 to get an approximate U.S. equivalent.




The word TOPE means speed bump in Spanish.  The speed bumps in Mexico tend to be larger than the ones in the U.S., so definitely slow down for these.




Emergency Phone Numbers




Dial 066 for emergency assistance (police, ambulance, accidents).
Dial 078 for tourist assistance (driving directions).




Northbound Driving Directions




To return to the Calexico East Gate from El Dorado Ranch in San Felipe, reverse these directions.  Here are a few additional tips.




Just before you finish the 105-mile stretch going northbound on Highway 5, you will see three signs announcing the toll road (Libramiento Mexicali and Cuota).  Do not take the toll road; just use it as a landmark.  You will pass under the toll road.  Approximately 2 miles after the toll road, you will encounter the first stop light on the trip.  Turn RIGHT at this first stoplight.  There is a Pemex gas station on the corner (on the right and across the street).  The name of this street is Carranza, but there is no street sign.




Continue on this street (Carranza) for approximately 6.5 miles.  You will encounter approximately 18 stop signs and stop lights, as follows:



    

  • Stop sign:  Manzanilla Street.
    • 

  • Stop sign:  El Piñon Street.
    • 

  • Stop sign:  Abeto Street (Goodrich on left).
    • 

  • Stop sign:  Del Oro Street.
    • 

  • Stop sign:  Palacio on right.
    • 

  • Stop light:  Railroad tracks.  Watch out here—the right lane disappears.
    • 

  • Stop sign:  LG Electronics plant on right.
    • 

  • Stop sign:  OXXO store on right.
    • 

  • Stop sign:  Baja 1000 on left.
    • 

  • Stop light:  OXXO stores on right AND left.
    • 

  • Stop sign:  Taco Luis on left.
    • 

  • Stop light.
    • 

  • Stop light:  Continue straight and follow the Aeropuerto and Garita Internacional II signs.  It is a little congested around here.
    • 

  • Stop light.
    • 

  • Stop light.
    • 

  • Stop light:  Eucalipto Street (Calafia industrial park on the left, OXXO store on right).
    • 

  • Stop sign.
    • 

  • Stop light:  Turn RIGHT onto this major, six-lane street.  This is also the road to the airport.
    • 




Continue approximately 1.3 miles to the first stop light and turn LEFT.  The name of this street is Novena, and there is a street sign.  You will see a Pemex gas station across the street on the right at this stoplight.




Continue approximately 1.4 miles on this street (Novena).  You will go through one more stop light and one stop sign during this 1.4-mile stretch.  At the second stop sign, turn RIGHT to the East Gate entry.  You will see signs and probably a line of cars at this point.  Have your passport ready.  The U.S. Customs agent will ask for it.  Do not bring back any illegal products (no fruits or vegetables either).




Have a safe trip!