Mexicali East (also called Calexico East on the US side, or Mexicali II) is a border crossing in the Imperial Valley, east of the San Diego crossings. If you're heading to San Felipe, driving the Sea of Cortez side of Baja, or coming from Arizona through I-8, Mexicali East is often the correct choice.
Here's what you need to know about crossing at Mexicali East.
Mexicali East basics
Connects to Federal Highway 2 and Federal Highway 5 on the Mexican side. Check the port's hours on cbp.gov before you go.
Processes significantly less volume than San Ysidro and Otay Mesa. Weekday morning southbound waits are usually under 30 minutes. Northbound Sunday afternoons can hit 2-3 hours but are typically less severe than San Ysidro.
When Mexicali East is the right choice
Going to San Felipe: This is the standard crossing for San Felipe trips. It puts you directly on Highway 5 south, which is the road to San Felipe.
Coming from the Imperial Valley: If you're already in Brawley, El Centro, or Calexico, Mexicali East is your default crossing.
Lane options at Mexicali East
General lane. Standard crossing for any valid documents.
Ready Lane. For RFID-enabled documents.
Where a port has Ready Lanes, the passport card, enhanced driver's licence and trusted traveler cards are eligible; the passport book is not (CBP, Ready Lanes). Check cbp.gov for which lanes this port has.
The drive from Mexicali East south
Federal Highway 5 south. Desert highway from the border to San Felipe. Download offline maps before you leave. On the road, dial 078 for Ángeles Verdes roadside help and 911 in an emergency (Ángeles Verdes).
Mexicali East vs Mexicali West
Mexicali also has a second crossing called Mexicali West (Calexico West), which lands you in downtown Mexicali.
For San Felipe and Highway 5 trips: Mexicali East puts you directly on the outbound highway without crossing through downtown Mexicali.
For downtown Mexicali destinations or business travel: Mexicali West may be more convenient.
For the Highway 2 route east to Sonora and beyond: Mexicali East is your entry point.
What Mexicali East users get wrong
Assuming San Ysidro-adjacent waits: Mexicali East is typically much faster. Don't budget the same time you would for San Ysidro.
Skipping the insurance step: vehicles on Mexican federal roads must carry third-party liability insurance regardless of crossing (Ley de Caminos, Puentes y Autotransporte Federal, art. 63 Bis). Buy a Baja & Sonora policy online before you leave (Baja Bound lists a Baja & Sonora Saver discount). US and Canadian insurance is not proof of financial responsibility under Mexican law (Baja Bound FAQ). See Mexican auto insurance for what the policy covers.
Underestimating the drive to San Felipe: 2.5 hours is real. Combined with the drive from LA to Calexico, this is a full-day trip southbound.
Not filling up before crossing.
Trying to save time by driving Mexicali West to Highway 5: Route requires driving through central Mexicali. Mexicali East puts you on Highway 5 immediately with no city traffic.
Crossing here for the whole season?
If you're coming through for a winter rather than a weekend, the planning is different: documents, the vehicle permit question, border waits, and money for a multi-month stay. Our guide to driving to Mexico for the winter covers all of it, and long-term Mexican car insurance for snowbirds explains why an annual policy almost always beats buying month by month.
Heading through Mexicali East? Get a Mexican car insurance quote.