Along the Mexico border???

I-10 to I-8 is fine. Drive that route several times a year. On I-8 there is a border patrol checkpoint heading west in California but its quick and easy and most likely you won't even stop. In all the years I've not been stopped once nor seen anyone else.

Between Gila Bend and Yuma there are only a few places to get gas. We usually fill up in Gila Bend at the Pilot which has a McDonalds or Wendy's next door.

At Yuma there is a truck stop on Fortuna Rd. on the north side of I-8. At El Centro there is a truck stop off 4th street, south 1 block then turn right on Wake Ave. There is an RV park on Wake to the left of 4th st.

Before passing El Centro make sure you have plenty of gas. Between there and El Cajon area I'm not aware of many RV friendly gas stations except for the Golden Acorn Casino at I-8 mile marker 61.

As for being near the border in a few areas you won't notice it. No problems at all.

Trackrig wrote:
We're in PV now having a great time. It's always interesting to talk to people who are here for the first time - they can't believe how different it is from what they read all of the time in the US papers.

Bill

Tourist areas in Mexico are far different than the border towns and the remote borders areas.

We have stayed at the small state park in Columbus NH a couple of times. The small museum there is interesting.
Two observations:
One morning another camper told us a man had come to his door overnight asking for water, odd since this is a campground - there are water spigots every few feet. He had called HSA, worried.
From there we drove west along the border for 50 miles or so. Every few minutes we would see a border security car alongside the road or at an intersection, each giving us a wave as we drove by. I rarely saw another car. I became convinced that if we didn't pass by the next Homeland Security car on time they'd have come to look for us.
The people in Columbus regularly go across the border to shop or see a dentist. A fellow in the museum assured us we could walk over and back without worrying about a passport; we did not test that.
We have enjoyed our stays there. I would turn my phone off to avoid Mexican roaming charges though.

NOPE! Have fun.

TyroneandGladys wrote:
Will fill up just north of El Paso and not stop unless from a breakdown till Van Horn TX. the stretch Of I 10 between El Paso and Van Horn is not where you want to stop.

We normally stop overnight at exit 72, Ft Hancock, but it is in a war zone. The Border Patrol pulled their officers out and abandoned the Americans that live there. The Sheriff has told ALL the citizens of the county to arm themselves and take the appropriate action if confronted by illegals. We can hear gunfire every time we stop at Angie's for the night. Yes, this is inside the United States.

dbbls wrote:
No matter how close the road is to Mexico, it is still in the US. Don't worry.

What other US National Monument other than Organ Pipe Cactus has had nature hikes with some law enforcement officers hiding in the hills and closely watching the two-hour nature hikes, while another pair of armed rangers would follow the tourists closely from the ground and that is not for bears or cougars.
And this quote from Organ Pipes own website " illegal border crossings and activities, including drug smuggling, occur daily"

On our trip this summer when we leave the Phoenix area we will spend an overnight in Deming NM with the next stop at Balmorhea State Park. Will fill up just north of El Paso and not stop unless from a breakdown till Van Horn TX. the stretch Of I 10 between El Paso and Van Horn is not where you want to stop.

Going to San Diego you will be using I 10 to I 8 in AZ. I 8 on to San Diego is close to the border but you will have no trouble there. A Border patrol checkpoint or two but nothing to worry about. Just do not pick up any hitch hikers!!

The U.S. areas are very safe and even some of the Mexico border is safe. The only place we would not go is Juarez Mexico. RVers cross the border at many places to shop. It's safe. There are U.S. cities that have unsafe areas, too. Just use common sense. If you're not crossing the border - no worries. Have a good trip!

Moved to Roads and Routes from Coast to Coast.

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We're in PV now having a great time. It's always interesting to talk to people who are here for the first time - they can't believe how different it is from what they read all of the time in the US papers.

Bill