Nogales, AZ Truck Route to KM 21

 We had nothing to do yesterday so decided to get all our paper work for Mexico done. In other words - get our Mexican vehicle insurance here in Nogales. We use Sanborns, been using them since 1978, and they have an office on Mariposa Rd. Then we went on into Mexico to KM 21 to get our Tourist Cards and the paper work for the Jeep. We have a 10 year permit on the RV already. 

We are staying in Amado, AZ at the DeAnza RV Resort - rather expensive. $61 per day - $300 per week. And we are stuck here waiting for a new hot water heater - another story. We got on 19 heading south and almost immediately found road construction. Resurfing the road. Stopped in a mile or so. 

But a few miles on even more road work. I imagine it changes daily and hopefully will be done sooner rather than later. 

Getting closer to turn off for border. Be sure to take Exit 4 Mariposa Rd. There are several signs. 

I took these photos through the front window so there is some glare, sorry. Another sign Exit 4 Truck Route. This is the exit you want - the truck route. All road signs south of Tucson are in Kilometers. 

Blurry but you curve to right here to stay on Mariposa Rd. And then you run into major construction.  

Lanes narrow down some.

Just follow the road. 

As we were stopped in traffic I noticed the support column - it has Mariposas (butterflies) on it. How pretty. 

A little more construction. Then it stops and a very nice road. And a real surprise - new a roundabout - your around it before you realize there is one. So just a heads up. 

Coming to the US border. We were in the Jeep so just went to the CARS line. If you are in an RV BE SURE TO GET IN THE TRUCK LANE it is on the right. 

Yesterday for the first time in years there was a guard at the car lanes and every one in front of us was being stopped. As we got there the guard was picking up his water bottle and leaving. Just waved us through. So no idea what they were asking or checking for. Just be aware. Trucks were not being stopped - just driving right on through. (When we were coming back the cars were backed up for about 400 feet!)

Through the twists and turns around the building and then on to the road in Mexico. Keep to the left and watch out for the trucks joining your lane. An short video of going through the US side of the border in the Jeep. Tight turns. Truck route is on right of divider. 

Into Mexico.

I say again KEEP TO THE LEFT

Not far and you come to the first toll booth. It was collecting tolls. 56 pesos for the Jeep. Forgot to check for an RV. 

Another short video of the toll booth and going through the Mexican customs. At 1 minute 20 is when we hit the tope - I do not have sound turned on in the dash camera just because of moments like this. 

Soon after the toll booth is the Mexican customs area. AGAIN KEEP TO THE LEFT of all the dividers. I know it seems wrong, but trust me. You go between the sign post and the divider. Go slow, not very wide. 

Just up ahead a little ways, by the curve I think there is a gigantic tope (speed bump) We were talking and saw it just before we hit it. Sure glad we were in the jeep and not the RV. The bump is gray like the pavement  so watch for it. Go slow!

Then there is a second one right at this arrow that I added. It too is hard to see. GO SLOW

Then continue through this area - cars and RVs. 

When you get through that narrow space you'll come out to this. If you are in a car keep to the left. If you are in an RV (anything bigger than a small van or pick up truck) go to the right to the BUS lane. 

Prepare to stop there is usually a bar across the lanes. Some times they want to inspect you, sometimes not. They usually want to see passports and registrations. This time in the car we just drove through the inspection point. 

Now on to KM 21. Road is new and good. Follow Herrmosillo signs. 

Just before this is a Tope alert sign - a car driving over a bump- SLOW down. The silver bumps are vibradores - they will shake you to pieces. These are warning you of two BIG topes. 

They are hard to see - watch for brake lights on vehicles in front of you. 

I am going to stop here for today. We are almost to KM21.

Going to WalMart and have a race to watch.