Driving to Los Angeles from San Diego

Has anyone actually driven north from San Diego?
Is it too risky? I know there are checkpoints on both the I-5 and I-15, but I hear they are rarely open. Is there any way to go around them? The person that will be driving is a U.S. citizen btw.

It's always hit or miss when driving up to Los Angeles. I remember there was a way around through Pala, but they caught on to it, so they set up impromptu checkpoints through there. Your best bet is driving through the I-5 or the I-15 since they're seldom ever open; however, there is always the risk.

if you want to take no risk. drive two cars. car #1 all legal citizens, car #2 whoever.


have car #1 drive 30 minutes ahead of car #2. If there are any checkpoints or things to look out for, have car #1 call someone in car #2 to let them know.

We did that once. There were a bunch of us in 3 cars, and 2 cars went ahead in front where they found the checkpoint closed while the third car waited at that last rest area before the checkpoint. The third car started driving north after getting the go-ahead, but then a border patrol car got in front of traffic and started slowing down the traffic speed which signaled that the checkpoint was being opened. It had been no more than 15 minutes since the first 2 cars had found the checkpoint closed.

As I said, it's very hit or miss. I went to LA about two months ago on a Saturday. The checkpoint was closed at around 9 a.m.; it was open at 3 a.m. when I was coming back.

Well it's only me and my friend driving there, so we couldn't really do the multiple cars thing anyway. If the checkpoint IS open though, they don't stop every car asking for papers, do they?

They don't stop every car; they wave some through. I believe they stop every 3rd. or 5th. car and those who look suspicious. I'm sure there's some profiling going on.

Oh damn.. guess Seaworld is out of the question

lol ditto

Every 3rd or 5th? That sounds scary :/ Wouldn't that really slow traffic down though?


Are there certain times/days when they are likely to be closed? Should I just not risk it?

Many people I know cross the checkpoint often and swear the risk is negligible since it's seldom open. The gamble is yours to take, though to me it hardly seems warranted.