Driving Directions

Maps, driving directions, and GPS coordinates.

If possible, drive early in the day to avoid traffic, especially if you are driving from LA. Follow the following guide.
1) DO NOT DRIVE LATE AT NIGHT.
2) CARAVAN WITH OTHERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
3) GATES WILL BE OPEN FROM 10:00am - 11:00pm (coordinate your arrival between these hours)
4) Need a high clearance vehicle. Does not have to be 4x4
5) No RVs or trailers will be able to pass through
6) DURING YOUR TRAVELS ON THE DRY LAKE BED BE SURE TO TRAVEL WITH OTHERS IN A CARAVAN (sometimes Federales will flag you down for questioning, but do not be alarmed. They are in military hummers and are respectful, but do not stop for anyone else that seem suspicious)

DIRECTIONS THROUGH MEXICALI (US boarder is open 24 hours)The safest route is through Calexico/Mexicali. The border is open 24 hours a day. Majority of the drive is on the US side, there are no check points and no toll ways. From interstate-5/805 head south and take I-8 east towards El Centro. Take highway 98 towards Calexico and turn right onto highway 111 going west towards the US/Mexico border.

IMPORTANT: After going through the border, stay to your furthest possible right lane when passing through the border crossing, but not the furthest right lane, which is for cars that have to declare valubbles.

Once you pass the line. immediately turn right (see map below) onto the first street. This first street is only 50 feet away from the border passing. If you happen to miss it, don't panic keep going and take the next right, which is a one way street and when you reach the stop sign, make another right and you wil lbe back on track.

Follow the road (while it curves slight right) until you pass over a small bridge and keep to your right. After the bridge, go strait for 6 blocks (series of STOP SIGNS), then turn left on Colegio Militar (see map below). You will pass through several STOP signs going strait (I have attached a google map to this and also can be printed from http://www.blueinsomnia.com/mexicali.jpg) After 2.5 miles, you will reach a round about, continue going strait on the same axis until the road merges with highway 2. Follow on highway 2 going north-west. After 13 miles, you will see the dried lakebed to your left. You will see the sign for Laguna Salada. You can't turn left at this point so continue driving for another minute until you can make a U-turn. Head back towards the Laguna Salada exit and turn right onto the dirt road.

At the gate, there is a sign that reads Pavarotti Sin Fronteras. At the gate, sometimes they charge $5/car for mainteneace, pay it and continue. You immediately see graded tracks. Pick the middle one with the sign to Canyon De Guadalupe or if you see Fuente Eterno signs continue folliwng the graded tracks. It may seem that you are going nowhere, but periodically you will see sings that reads Canyon De Guadalupe. At 27.2 mi., upon reaching the Italian olive plantation, turn LEFT onto another graded dirt road signed "CANON de GUADALUPE". Keep going towards Canyon De Guadalupe. This last segment begins with 7 mi. of mostly good but increasingly winding dirt road, and ends with 0.6 mi. of primitive dirt road. You will pass a gate, just continue until you reach the greeter station.

Click on each image for larger map and print.

Map of Border Crossing Map of the entire Lakebed Lakebed Part 1
Lak bed Part 2 Lakebed Part 3 Lakebed Part 4

03.01.2007. 16:51