Nogales crossing

Hi --
We will be crossing at Nogales hopefully on the 13th of november. We are 2 motor homes, both towing cars. How is the southbound traffic at the Mariposa Gate on Sundays? Last year we went from Lukeville, but weren't crazy about the road from there.
We are planning to stop in el Fuerte for a few nights to catch the train to Copper Canyon. Is there a more direct route from MX 15 north of Los Mochis or do we need to take Highway 32 from Los Mochis to el Fuerte?
Eventually we may also visit Morelia after the first of the year. Any suggestions as to routes from say Melaque up through Colima and then to Morelia?
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Regards,
John & Sue

[davide]

This message was posted all around the Mi Casa RV Park in Nogales AZ. This is not the best of days to cross at any rate because Mexican nationals are returning home with carloads of stuff purchased in Tucson. The Aduaneros are always pumped up on Sunday.

I will be crossing there and I am going to use Sunday for last minute shopping at the Wal-Mart.

[whip_52]

You will have to wait for Monday morning. Just plan on leaving early and be at the crossing at 8:00AM. That will put you at the head of the line and it's easy to get your paperwork done.

Since you are coming from the north going to El Fuerte, I would take the shortcut. There is a brief inspection at Estacion Don when you pass into the state of Sinaloa. Aprrox. 10-15 miles south of there (sorry, I don't know the exact distance) is a little town called El Carrizo. You cannot turn directly into the town from the north. You will pass by and be ready for the "Retorno" about 1/8 mile farther down the road. It is marked by signs. Get in the left lane and make the "U" turn and take the maxipista north back to the turnoff to El Fuerte.

Last time I took this shortcut was in 2001. It cuts strait across the farmlands until it crosses some railroad tracks. This section had some potholes but wasn't too bad. After the tracks, the road was newer. It winds through the foothills and takes you right to the RV parks on the west side of El Fuerte.

The section from El Fuerte to Los Mochis is a straitforward enough drive. Once you pass San Blas, the traffic is heavy and slow. Plan to take a little extra time.

Originally Posted by whip_52

You will have to wait for Monday morning. Just plan on leaving early and be at the crossing at 8:00AM. That will put you at the head of the line and it's easy to get your paperwork done.

Since you are coming from the north going to El Fuerte, I would take the shortcut. There is a brief inspection at Estacion Don when you pass into the state of Sinaloa. Aprrox. 10-15 miles south of there (sorry, I don't know the exact distance) is a little town called El Carrizo. You cannot turn directly into the town from the north. You will pass by and be ready for the "Retorno" about 1/8 mile farther down the road. It is marked by signs. Get in the left lane and make the "U" turn and take the maxipista north back to the turnoff to El Fuerte.

Last time I took this shortcut was in 2001. It cuts strait across the farmlands until it crosses some railroad tracks. This section had some potholes but wasn't too bad. After the tracks, the road was newer. It winds through the foothills and takes you right to the RV parks on the west side of El Fuerte.

The section from El Fuerte to Los Mochis is a straitforward enough drive. Once you pass San Blas, the traffic is heavy and slow. Plan to take a little extra time.

The shortcut sounds like a good one. I used to live in Mochis for 2 yeasr and the road between Los Mochis and El Fuerte is very safe and comfortable in the daytime. I would not recommend making the trip at night. I was driving back from El Fuerte to Los Mochis one night and the road had been blocked with boulders. My friend that is from Los Mochis anxiously told me to get some speed and run over the blockage. It turns out there were bandits that were going to rob us. I've heard many stories like this! But in all honesty the road is perfectly safe in the daytime!

I've been on the train several times and strongly recommend it. I would opt for the first class tickets for sure because the train stops less places. Stopping probably sounds like it would be more interesting, but they don't actually let you get off! Also if you go into Mochis, stop by the Hotel Santa Anita and they have a travel office with GREAT packages for the trips.