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I'm moving to San Diego from Tampa for a postdoc position at UCSD and I'm going to be driving my car all the way. I'm here on a visa and would like to avoid all checkpoints just to be safe, so I don't want to be driving on the I-10 since it has multiple checkpoints along the stretches from Texas to Arizona and possibly at the California border. What would be my other options, I'm OK with 4 or 5 more extra hours. I'd also like to know the best routes for sightseeing and attractions.
Last edited by tduncan80; 07-27-2015 at 02:34 AM..
I-75 North to Atlanta, I-20 West to Memphis and I-40 West to I-5 South in Los Angeles would be your best bet. You definitely want to avoid Texas, as well as the southern border areas of New Mexico and Arizona. It's about 5 hours longer via this route versus using I-10 or I-20 the entire way, and definitely a good bit more scenic as well.
I-75 North to Atlanta, I-20 West to Memphis and I-40 West to I-5 South in Los Angeles would be your best bet. You definitely want to avoid Texas, as well as the southern border areas of New Mexico and Arizona. It's about 5 hours longer via this route versus using I-10 or I-20 the entire way, and definitely a good bit more scenic as well.
Thank you!. Where do I get off I-40 exactly, as far as I can see from the map I-40 does not pass through Los Angeles. Do I have to drive all the way to Bakersfield then take the I-5.
Thank you!. Where do I get off I-40 exactly, as far as I can see from the map I-40 does not pass through Los Angeles. Do I have to drive all the way to Bakersfield then take the I-5.
Actually, I-20 does not run through Memphis. Instead, take I-20 west in Atlanta, and then take it to US 78 North just past downtown Birmingham, AL where it its a divided highway that is co-signed with Alabama Route 5 with a few traffic lights for about 10 miles (16 km), and then you'll come with the interesection of one of the youngest interstates, I-22. Take that westbound, where US 78 remains co-signed. Follow that road into Mississippi until you reach the Tennessee border where you'll enter Memphis where the freeway ends and becomes a highway with a few traffic lights through industrial areas on the city's southeast side. After about five miles, you'll hit I-240, and then take that westbound. After about three more miles, you'll encounter the juncition with I-55. Continue straight by following the signs for I-55 north. After passing the city's southwest side, you'll cross over the Mississippi River and into Arkansas. After crossing the alluvial plain, you'll reach West Memphis and join I-40 westbound, where you'll continue to follow it westbound as I-55/US-64 split off a couple miles later.
As far as getting off I-40, you'll just continue following it until the end in Barstow, CA. You will then merge onto the 15 freeway southbound. You won't ever enter Los Angeles County as you'll eventually pass through the Inland Empire, so you should avoid most of the heavy congestion associated with that city, though of course check traffic reports to see if you should take the 215 as an alternate, where you'd eventually return to the 15. Eventually, take exit 19 to CA Route 56 westbound, and then follow that for nine miles until you hit the 5, where you'll take that southbound for about five miles until you see UCSD (you can't miss it even from the freeway).
Now, in terms of checkpoints, you'll still have to encounter the agricultural inspection station just past the CA border.
Actually, I-20 does not run through Memphis. Instead, take I-20 west in Atlanta, and then take it to US 78 North just past downtown Birmingham, AL where it its a divided highway that is co-signed with Alabama Route 5 with a few traffic lights for about 10 miles (16 km), and then you'll come with the interesection of one of the youngest interstates, I-22. Take that westbound, where US 78 remains co-signed. Follow that road into Mississippi until you reach the Tennessee border where you'll enter Memphis where the freeway ends and becomes a highway with a few traffic lights through industrial areas on the city's southeast side. After about five miles, you'll hit I-240, and then take that westbound. After about three more miles, you'll encounter the juncition with I-55. Continue straight by following the signs for I-55 north. After passing the city's southwest side, you'll cross over the Mississippi River and into Arkansas. After crossing the alluvial plain, you'll reach West Memphis and join I-40 westbound, where you'll continue to follow it westbound as I-55/US-64 split off a couple miles later.
As far as getting off I-40, you'll just continue following it until the end in Barstow, CA. You will then merge onto the 15 freeway southbound. You won't ever enter Los Angeles County as you'll eventually pass through the Inland Empire, so you should avoid most of the heavy congestion associated with that city, though of course check traffic reports to see if you should take the 215 as an alternate, where you'd eventually return to the 15. Eventually, take exit 19 to CA Route 56 westbound, and then follow that for nine miles until you hit the 5, where you'll take that southbound for about five miles until you see UCSD (you can't miss it even from the freeway).
Now, in terms of checkpoints, you'll still have to encounter the agricultural inspection station just past the CA border.
Thank you for the detailed route. Yes I read that I have to go through agricultural checkpoints before going into California, that shouldn't be a problem though, I just don't want to take chances with border patrol checkpoints given that I'm here on a visa and not a U.S citizen.
As far as getting off I-40, you'll just continue following it until the end in Barstow, CA. You will then merge onto the 15 freeway southbound. You won't ever enter Los Angeles County as you'll eventually pass through the Inland Empire, so you should avoid most of the heavy congestion associated with that city, though of course check traffic reports to see if you should take the 215 as an alternate, where you'd eventually return to the 15. Eventually, take exit 19 to CA Route 56 westbound, and then follow that for nine miles until you hit the 5, where you'll take that southbound for about five miles until you see UCSD (you can't miss it even from the freeway).
Now, in terms of checkpoints, you'll still have to encounter the agricultural inspection station just past the CA border.
There is a border patrol checkpoint on the 15 between San Diego and Temecula, most times I've gone through they haven't been stopping or slowing down cars but you never know. All three freeways that lead into San Diego (5,8, and 15) have border patrol checkpoints.
If the OP has a VISA so I don't see what the problem is unless they plan to smuggle some drugs.
There is a border patrol checkpoint on the 15 between San Diego and Temecula, most times I've gone through they haven't been stopping or slowing down cars but you never know. All three freeways that lead into San Diego (5,8, and 15) have border patrol checkpoints.
If the OP has a VISA so I don't see what the problem is unless they plan to smuggle some drugs.
I've heard of stories of U.S citizens being detained at these checkpoints, so I just wanted to avoid the trouble. It looks like I might just end up driving the I-10, it appears there is no way of avoiding the checkpoints.
I've heard of stories of U.S citizens being detained at these checkpoints, so I just wanted to avoid the trouble. It looks like I might just end up driving the I-10, it appears there is no way of avoiding the checkpoints.
Now that I think about it, the Border Patrol stations are on the Northbound sides of I-5 and I-15. They're looking for people or stuff coming up from Mexico and not so much going into it. If you're driving INTO San Diego (Southbound) along those two freeways I don't actually think they have inspection stations. The on on I-8 is for the westbound direction coming into SD though.
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