View Full Version : Looking for a parking place near McAllen
Having received advice from tricepilot and scar04 we are now thinking that we should go to McAllen. More info at post #8 below.
We are coming to Texas and then crossing into Mexico for a couple of weeks of dual sport riding. Our first stop in Mexico will be Galeana so we are thinking of crossing at Rio Grande City or Roma to get the shortest route south.
Does anyone know a place near Roma or Rio Grande City to leave two SUVs (I think) with trailers for a couple of weeks?
We also will need to get vehicle import permits. Do these two places have permits available on the Mexican side?
Any inputs will be appreciated.
Is this the right place to ask this?
scar04
12-03-2009, 08:41 PM
Closest place I can get to Roma to park is my ranch on the North side of Zapata. There is a crossing at Falcon, which is at Falcon Dam. Couldn't tell you about crossing in Rio Grande, but Roma would put you in Miguel Aleman. Falcon would shoot you into Nuevo Ciudad Guerrero. Sorry I can't be of more help
tricepilot
12-03-2009, 11:35 PM
You're better off 281 south off of 37 south from San Antonio. Cross at McAllen/Reynosa, then west on MX 40. Dogleg at General Bravo to China to General Terán to Montemorelos.
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/731324014_ddWp9-M.jpg
From Montemorelos you can hit the dirt to Galeana through Agua Dulce, or continue pavement all the way through Linares.
It's just a few hours from Reynosa, and rest assured, you won't make up the time at the other crossings given the time spent getter to them off of 281 anyway.
Closest place I can get to Roma to park is my ranch on the North side of Zapata. There is a crossing at Falcon, which is at Falcon Dam. Couldn't tell you about crossing in Rio Grande, but Roma would put you in Miguel Aleman. Falcon would shoot you into Nuevo Ciudad Guerrero. Sorry I can't be of more help
Thanks for that.
I'm still working this out but have a couiple of questions.
Is the traffic really heavy going down toward Roma? It looks pretty populated.
How long does it take to go from the end of I35 to Zapata?
scar04
12-04-2009, 09:31 AM
Thanks for that.
I'm still working this out but have a couiple of questions.
Is the traffic really heavy going down toward Roma? It looks pretty populated.
How long does it take to go from the end of I35 to Zapata?
Zapata is about 60 miles SE of Laredo on US-83. Roma is, if I recall, about 45 minutes past Zapata. The thing to remember about 83 is that alot of Mexican nationals will drive down 83, and then cross into Guerrero, because the road is better. It's a two lane with a fair amount of tractor trailer traffic that can really hold you up. I've had days where there's no one on the road, and then days where its backed up for miles. You won't get clear of heavy traffic until you hit the LCC South Campus.
If you're gonna shoot to leave through the valley, I'd take tricepilot's suggestion of 281.
You're better off 281 south off of 37 south from San Antonio. Cross at McAllen/Reynosa, then west on MX 40. Dogleg at General Bravo to China to General Terán to Montemorelos.
From Montemorelos you can hit the dirt to Galeana through Agua Dulce, or continue pavement all the way through Linares.
It's just a few hours from Reynosa, and rest assured, you won't make up the time at the other crossings given the time spent getter to them off of 281 anyway.
Thanks for the input. I am totally unfamiliar in that part of Texas and Mexico so need to be told if I'm making a mistake, but here's my thinking on the route.
Time really isn't an issue, if we don't make it to Galeana the first day that will be OK. In the CC area on unpaved roads I typically average 10-15 mph overall for a day's travel. On a paved road it might go up to 30-40 mph. Even in the US on my oilhead I seldom average over 50 mph for the day. I stop a lot.
Your route from General Bravo on is what I was planning.
I always try to avoid bigger urban areas and freeways. My DR350 really likes to be around 55-60 on the highway. It will go faster but the oil gets expensive.:lol2:
With that in mind I've been looking at the smaller roads to get away from the border.
How about crossing at Los Ebanos?
Is finding a place to park a problem in the McAllen area?
scar04
12-04-2009, 10:15 AM
I'm sure you can find somewhere in McAllen. There are a few bike shops that might be able to help you out. I think there's a TWT member or two in the Brownsville McAllen area.
We are planning to leave MN on December 26 to arrive in the McAllen area on December 27. We will have either a van and an SUV with trailer or two SUV's with trailers.
We plan to return, pack up and head home on January 6th or 7th.
If anyone has lots of space and could let us park that would be great. Otherwise we will be looking for paid parking.
We are a group of five at present. Two of our members are young and rambunctious (the youngest just turned 50) but we will keep them on a short leash when we are in polite company.
When we went to Mextrek, 3 of us parked trucks at the McAllen airport. They have an economy long term lot that charged $3.00 a day.
tricepilot
12-06-2009, 07:53 AM
From MN, I-35S to San Antonio all the way.
In S.A., leave I-35 by taking I-37S. You will be passing near the Cradle of Texas Liberty, so tip your hat to your right as you pass through the city. Leave I-37 to take 281S (sign will also say Rio Grande Valley), you will drive straight into McAllen.
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/733083727_rE2ck-L.jpg
Entering McAllen, loop west on 83 and exit 10th street. Take a right. One block on the left hand side, get rooms at the La Quinta ("A" on the map). Unpack and go across street to have pre-trip celebration at Republic of the Rio Grande with beers and steaks. :eat: Note: After getting rooms, I would take the trucks/trailers to the airport and dump them. Up to you. You'll get an earlier start across the border this way.
In the morning, you will continue on 10th street (336) south to the border. You will pass the airport. You know this because last night, you dumped the trucks and trailers here. Continuing on, 10th/336 loops to the west and joins 115, which runs straight into the border crossing. Before this crossing, there are all kinds of money exchange houses.
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/733081755_gNS9j-L.jpg
Cross the bridge, and keep to your left. The Aduana is just a few hundred yards to your left, big complex along the river. Get your TVIP and tourist visas, depart the Aduana by taking another left, follow the curved road around to the first set of signs pointing towards Monterrey.
Leaving Reynosa, you will use MX40. :rider: Follow signs west pointing to Monterrey. You will leave MX40 before Monterrey, to dogleg to Montemorelos as I described before.
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/733081760_ube9Y-M.jpg
In Galeana, ask for rooms on the first floor of the Hotel Magdalena. They'll let you park the bikes right there on the square, in front of the hotel. Yes, it's a sidewalk. It's ok. Just be nice. Best restuarant in town is The General, one block away. A lot of homage is paid to generals in Mexico, you've noticed.
No Charge :sun:
there are two long term lots at the airport, the cheap one is hidden on the east side,
<iframe width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&safe=off&ie=UTF8&fb=1&gl=us&hnear=1100+So uth+10th+Street+McAllen,+TX+78501&ei=FSocS6mDBo3oM 8XTgN4C&ved=0CAgQnwIwAA&msa=0&msid=102283553183639 827897.00047a1681f1408e51ae1&ll=26.186405,-98.234425&spn=0.018485,0.027466&z=15&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&safe=off&ie=UTF8&fb=1&gl=us&hnear=1100+So uth+10th+Street+McAllen,+TX+78501&ei=FSocS6mDBo3oM 8XTgN4C&ved=0CAgQnwIwAA&msa=0&msid=102283553183639 827897.00047a1681f1408e51ae1&ll=26.186405,-98.234425&spn=0.018485,0.027466&z=15&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">$3 parking lot</a> in a larger map</small>
Larger size map
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&safe=off&ie=UTF8&fb=1&gl=us&hnear=1100+South+10th+Street+McAllen,+TX+78501&ei=FSocS6mDBo3oM8XTgN4C&ved=0CAgQnwIwAA&msa=0&ll=26.1891,-98.235626&spn=0.030654,0.055189&z=14&msid=102283553183639827897.00047a1681f1408e51ae1
Have a great trip!
In Galeana, ask for rooms on the first floor of the Hotel Magdalena. They'll let you park the bikes right there on the square, in front of the hotel. Yes, it's a sidewalk. It's ok. Just be nice. Best restuarant in town is The General, one block away. A lot of homage is paid to generals in Mexico, you've noticed.
That was a lot of useful info. Thank you.
Last time in Galeana we stayed at the Jardin. Is the Magdalena nicer or cheaper or both or niether?
tricepilot
12-06-2009, 09:58 PM
Is the Magdalena nicer or cheaper or both or niether?
First, tell me the difference between ham and pork.
there are two long term lots at the airport, the cheap one is hidden on the east side,
Have a great trip!
OK, thanks for the map. That looks pretty handy.
I'll have to check with the vehicle owner to be sure it is OK with him.
First, tell me the difference between ham and pork.
Well, ham is a kind of pork. Or is that a Texas thing that means it's a horse apiece.:shrug:
racklefratz
12-07-2009, 08:45 AM
"Scar04" -
How many flavors of "reality" do you imagine exist?
scar04
12-07-2009, 08:49 AM
Oooohhh Republic of the Rio Grande is still open? They had a good Chicken Fried Steak last time I was in McAllen working for the IBC about 3 years ago. Hope it's still as good.
scar04
12-07-2009, 08:51 AM
"Scar04" -
How many flavors of "reality" do you imagine exist?
Depends on the topic, and my mood. We can never come to a consensus.
It could be like a Baskin Robbins. 32 flavors to match what you want.
Besides, I heard it on mythbusters, so it must be cool.
tricepilot
12-07-2009, 08:56 AM
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/734299044_aK3KB-M.jpg
there are two long term lots at the airport, the cheap one is hidden on the east side,
Our designated driver asked me if we had to pay extra for the trailer.
I called to check and they said they charge by the space so a van and trailer would have to pay $6/day. They also said that when we left we would have to go inside to pay and to have someone go out with us to be sure the arm didn't come down too quickly and damage the rig. I could see that becoming an issue if we leave at a low staffed time.
Did you have to do that?
I also looked on Google Earth and didn't see a gate, but maybe that was an old photo.
Hi Charlie, the three of us each had open pickups, no trailers. We all paid at the automated gate with credit cards.
John
One of our number has a brother in Brownsville so now we have the possibility to park there.
What is the border crossing like there?
Easier or more difficult than Reynosa?
Is getting through Matamoros any better or worse than Reynosa?
We presently plan to arrive at the border area at 3-5 a.m. so would be crossing VERY early.
If we still go up to Reynosa from Matamoros would it be best to go on the US side or the Mexican side?
vBulletin® v3.8.1, Copyright ©2000-2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.