SecurityTheaterFanClubPresident

Because most people don't know if their fruit is an offending fruit or not. It's not just "an orange," it's an "orange from such-and-such place." It can be complicated and most people would just drive through.

I don't get waved through like most people here most of the time - I say maybe 25%. I almost always ask where I am coming from (to assess if I might even have an offending fruit.) I think that is because there tends to be very little traffic at my crossing points and the people are probably just bored.

There is a "honor" system at some checkpoints though - US 50 has a "Returning Locals" lane where people can just drive through without stopping.

It's also possible to get into California without passing through. Dirt roads are easy, but sticking to the state route system, you can take NV 431 to NV 28/CA 28 and take the 89 to Truckee. This will get you to I-80 after the I-80 agro checkpoint. There's another way I've done it from Nevada, but I forget.

When I pass through checkpoints with a lot of traffic, such as I-10, they are more likely to wave you through.

mbstone

All California Ag checkpoints are relics of 1912 and a complete waste of money. They will wave you through 90% of the time and let you go another 90% of the time if you claim not to have fruits or vegetables or live animals. But woe betide anyone who is moving and driving a rent-a-truck loaded to the gills with furniture. They will thoroughly inspect your load.

PoliceStateSurvivor

The answer: "Arizona" will usually get you waved through without any further trouble on I-10 and I-40.

Good to know.

I would not recommend using dirt roads you don't know unless you are a very good driver and drive a very small vehicle. Some of them take you through very difficult mountain passes.

Do you know of a way to avoid the checkpoint on I-40? This one seems to be the most troublesome. They asked me to open my trunk twice, but after a long day of driving I did not have the presence of mind to fight this battle.

Definitely a true statement.

However, the Ag checkpoint on I-8 doubles as a CBP checkpoint. Expect trouble there.

mre5765

Every time I driven into California, I've been stopped.

Considering that there are no inspections of commercial flights that arrive from other states into California, I find the whole thing to be pointless.

I'm somewhat surprised AZ doesn't set up agricultural inspections as a pretext for catching illegal immigrants.

SFOSpiff

They didn't inspect mine. All they asked is if I had a BBQ grill.

PoliceStateSurvivor

Do you mean stopped and asked a couple of questions or searched?

Completely agree.

Plenty of random CBP checkpoints (in addition to the stationary one near Yuma) along I-8/I-10 corridor.

Majuki

My dad and I were driving a Uhaul with all of my personal effects and furniture on I-5 SB in 2008. We replied in the negative to the fruit question and were sent on our way in less than 5 seconds. We didn't get a question about a grill either.

btlabarre

2016 update!

Ag checkpoint is still in use, but they wave most cars through, and even trucks they just ask what you're hauling. Now, if it's not busy, they might take the time to do a proper inspection, but they're severely undermanned, so expect a simple slowdown.
The only problem would be if a lot of trucks get lined up, cars would get pushed into the left lane before the checkpoint.
Just don't look suspicious or have fruits or vegetables and you'll be fine.

rhwbullhead

I drove to the Mohave Reserve and back from Vegas. I remember seeing the agriculture inspection sign and I expected to have to stop like I had to entering CA via I-80 but I didn't have to stop. I saw tollbooth type things on the right where I assumed trucks went but didn't see anything on the main freeway of i-15.

Do they sometimes close that part of the road and force everyone through the tollbooth area or did I miss something while driving?

sbrower

My experience is limited, because I have only made the drive about 25 times. But it is just an ag checksite and they almost never stop cars (in my limited experience).

Loren Pechtel

Second this. I've made the drive on occasion, never been stopped. Also, the ag station is only for people heading into California anyway.

Lost

I believe with cars they just look for vehicles with certain states' plates where there is some type of outbreak. I haven't even had to roll my window down in at least 10 years driving with AZ or CA plates.

rubesl

Drove Wed. from Tucson/Phoenix to LA on I-10 & they were just waiving cars through.

lonelycrowd

Serious question - are there ever agricultural checks on domestic air passengers arriving in California? I've never seen one, but it seems like that would be the way to travel if one really wanted to circumvent inspection for some reason. Are domestic passengers transiting California airports supposed to declare homegrown foods somewhere?

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Lost

No and no. Here's an article from a few years ago about the type of vehicles they're looking for. An air passenger is unlikely to be carrying any pests in any quantity (if at all).

http://m.reviewjournal.com/business/...angers-drivers