Take I-20 as far as Fort Worth, TX then cut up toward Amarillo. Then cut across I-40 W toward TUCUMCARI (Passing through NEW MEXICO- then crossing into ARIZONA)
I live in Arizona and travel frequently to neighboring states…Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, California and Nevada. The only stop is when crossing into California and they are checking for animals without shots (remember the bird problem?) and some kinds of fruits and vegetables.
Maybe because I’m white, they always wave me through and lots of times there isn’t even one at the booth to check anything. My understanding is that they have closed the booth recently as I knew someone who worked there and she told me many people were being laid off.
They aren’t checking for immigration as far as I know but if you aren’t white and speak good English, they may ask but it isn’t really an immigration stop. I also have Arizona plates and that may make a difference.
You don’t have to stop at any visitor’s center for any stamps…that’s misinformation. You are free to travel anywhere in the U.S. and few questions are asked.
However, there are more border patrol agents in the Southern Parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California so the rules may be stricter there. If you aren’t white and don’t speak English that well, stay to the northern highways…Take I-40 instead of I-10.
On I-10, they have periodic drug checks with lots of cops and drug dogs sniffing when they do that you have to produce a lot of paperwork, insurance, car registration and license…possibly passport or proof of citizenship. Its most frequent as you enter or exit the interstate to Nogalas…big drug highway.
Most of all, be honest. If you are an illegal, obey the law and have appropriate paper work. If you’re illegal and are in an accident…you are screwed!!!
I’d suggest go on I-40 to aviod border patrols.There’s two station near Las Cruces New Mexico one of them is on I-10 westbound.When U see I-17 south in flagstaff AZ,go that away and it’ll lead U to Phoenx directly
No, you will not be stopped, the border patrol isn’t looking for cars with Georgia license plates, you’ll be fine. I live in AZ and drive down to the border area and between states all the time, don’t worry about it, even if you are illegal.
depending on how your traveling, yeah. In west texas outside of el paso you get stopped when traveling by bus, but im not sure about car travel, but thats only if you take the I-10, of you want to take the scenic route, take the I-40, better weather (not as hot this time of year so you don’t have to worry about overheating in the desert) then take I-17 south to phoenix
15 Responses to “Im traveling from Atlanta GA to Phoenix AZ is there any chance that the border patrol will stop me in the way?”
By catherine i on Sep 21, 2009 | Reply
Hi from France ♫
If you’re honest, where is the problem ? ….Huh ?
Have a nice day,
Cat.
By Joe F on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply
If I remember correctly there’s a stop along I-10 somewhere in western Texas.
By Charles N on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply
Only if you forget to get your passport stamped at the welecome center for each state you travel through.
By Steenskees on Sep 25, 2009 | Reply
Probably at some point. They will most likely search your car.
By Michael K on Sep 27, 2009 | Reply
Take I-20 as far as Fort Worth, TX then cut up toward Amarillo. Then cut across I-40 W toward TUCUMCARI (Passing through NEW MEXICO- then crossing into ARIZONA)
By Luckycup on Sep 27, 2009 | Reply
I live in Arizona and travel frequently to neighboring states…Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, California and Nevada. The only stop is when crossing into California and they are checking for animals without shots (remember the bird problem?) and some kinds of fruits and vegetables.
Maybe because I’m white, they always wave me through and lots of times there isn’t even one at the booth to check anything. My understanding is that they have closed the booth recently as I knew someone who worked there and she told me many people were being laid off.
They aren’t checking for immigration as far as I know but if you aren’t white and speak good English, they may ask but it isn’t really an immigration stop. I also have Arizona plates and that may make a difference.
You don’t have to stop at any visitor’s center for any stamps…that’s misinformation. You are free to travel anywhere in the U.S. and few questions are asked.
However, there are more border patrol agents in the Southern Parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California so the rules may be stricter there. If you aren’t white and don’t speak English that well, stay to the northern highways…Take I-40 instead of I-10.
On I-10, they have periodic drug checks with lots of cops and drug dogs sniffing when they do that you have to produce a lot of paperwork, insurance, car registration and license…possibly passport or proof of citizenship. Its most frequent as you enter or exit the interstate to Nogalas…big drug highway.
Most of all, be honest. If you are an illegal, obey the law and have appropriate paper work. If you’re illegal and are in an accident…you are screwed!!!
By M MEM on Sep 28, 2009 | Reply
There are checkpoint things along the way, but I really don’t think they’re going to randomly stop you.
By vivi on Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
What border control. You’re still travelling in the USA! Duh!
By Chris N on Oct 2, 2009 | Reply
No, border patrol is for international border, not state lines. You will not get stopped by border patrol or by anyone else for no reason.
By Jeff on Oct 2, 2009 | Reply
Travelling in a car from Atlanta to Phoenix, NO the border partol isn’t going to pull you over. But if you’re an illegal you’d deserve it.
By cokezero100 on Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
I’d suggest go on I-40 to aviod border patrols.There’s two station near Las Cruces New Mexico one of them is on I-10 westbound.When U see I-17 south in flagstaff AZ,go that away and it’ll lead U to Phoenx directly
By Drew on Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
No, you will not be stopped, the border patrol isn’t looking for cars with Georgia license plates, you’ll be fine. I live in AZ and drive down to the border area and between states all the time, don’t worry about it, even if you are illegal.
By einstein on Oct 8, 2009 | Reply
if you are black, yes. its true. they stop black people and let white people go. i have seen it.
By Girly McFemale on Oct 9, 2009 | Reply
depending on how your traveling, yeah. In west texas outside of el paso you get stopped when traveling by bus, but im not sure about car travel, but thats only if you take the I-10, of you want to take the scenic route, take the I-40, better weather (not as hot this time of year so you don’t have to worry about overheating in the desert) then take I-17 south to phoenix
By nmsu00 on Oct 12, 2009 | Reply
There is a check-point on I-10 after you leave Las Cruces, NM heading westbound.