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Driving to Rocky Point ....






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- Head east on I-8 from Yuma to the State Route 85 exit at Gila Bend.
- Continue into Gila Bend and turn left just beyond McDonalds. This
turn is marked with a sign stating Mexico and SR 85 South.
- Continue south on SR 85 to Ajo. Ajo is a good place to stock up on
anything you may have forgotten. It is the largest town between Phoenix and the border.
Ajo also has an ATM machine located at Bank One on the corner of the only intersection in
Ajo with a traffic signal, right across from the town square.
- Continue south on SR 85 from Ajo. Next civilization is Why,
AZ. Why is a good place to top off the fuel tank before crossing into Mexico. Gas in
Mexico is available in most locations but the quality can be inconsistant and not what you
are used to stateside. The stop at Why usually has about the best gas prices between
Phoenix and the border. Don't miss the top ten things to do in Why,
AZ!
- Continue south through Organ Pipe National Monument to the border at
Lukeville, AZ. Last stop prior to Mexico. The settlement at Lukeville is called Gringo
Pass and has all facilities available if there was anything you forgot. There is a
well stocked grocery store, etc. but the prices are pretty steep.
- Crossing the border at Lukeville, AZ/Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexico. When
you reach the border, pay attention to the Mexican border police. Sometimes they will just
flag you on through and on your way. Sometimes they will ask where you are going and how
long you will be in the country. If they ask you to pull over for a search be polite and
cooperative and you will soon be on your way...(A word of caution... do not bring firearms
into Mexico without first obtaining a permit, or the border stop may be as far as you
get!!) If you are only going to Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) or Bahia la Cholla (Cholla
Bay) you do not need a passport or visa since these towns are located in the Mexican
Free Zone.
- Getting through Sonoyta.... Once across the border you will continue
south into Sonoyta. The speed limit here is fairly slow so be careful. Driving in Mexico
is not a problem as long as you drive defensively. About 2 miles from the border you will
come to a three way intersection. Stay to the left (towards Caborca). Do not take the
direction to San Luis. About 1 block south of there the road will split into a Y.
Pharmacia San Luis will be on your right just before the Y. Stay
to the right and you will be on the road to Rocky Point. You will pass Vasquezs
on your left if you have made the correct turn. There is a traffic light soon after Vasquezs
that is easy to miss if you dont know it is there. Continue along the same road all
the way to Rocky Point. Vasquezs and the Pharmacia San Luis
are good places to stop and visit. The pharmacy carries many items over the counter that
require prescriptions in the US. Vasquezs has a great selection of all
kinds of Mexican curios, pottery, liquors and everything else. You will not be able to
haggle prices at these places but may find just what you are looking for.
- Sonoyta to Puerto Peñasco. The highway from Sonoyta to Puerto
Peñasco is approximately 50 miles of open range. Being open range you are subject to
encountering livestock on the highway on occasion. This is one of the major reasons that
we recommend not driving this highway at night (cattle dont wear taillights and are
difficult to see). You will know you are close to Rocky point when you start seeing sand
dunes.
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