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phmilo
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Northbound border crossing
We've pretty much got our southbound trip dialed in. But coming back, what is the best border crossing and options for overnighting? I assume it's
the same prefreence for early, but I'm not enthusiastic about staying in the border towns.
We have a couple of regular passengers, so no sentri or ready lanes. I'm still thining overnight in San Felipe and then on the road at first light to
Mexicali. Hopefully early enough to not have to wait hours and hours.
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David K
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Going north to where?
If California Coastal, then Tecate is the winner... Open only 5 am-2 pm until Covid hours are dropped, maybe in November.
If California Desert and north, most like Mexicali East.
If Arizona or east of there, San Luis, Sonora is talked up.
Wait and get more feedback on these.
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John M
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Generally, Mexicali East
You can see the overall trend, plus today's wait.
I searched "Border Wait Times" - It took me to the CBP website. There I selected passenger car and then the desired port of entry, in this case
Calexico East
Construction at the west port of entry has caused some driving challenges.
The average wait time is in blue while today's wait times are the orange line.
Driving from San Felipe to the border line - figure 2 to 2.5 hours very early in the morning depending on how heavy your right foot is.
John M
[Edited on 10-25-2021 by John M]
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Maderita
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Note that Tecate northbound closes at 4:00 pm on Saturday & Sunday. Be in line at least 2 hours earlier, if not 3 hours. The gate will be slammed
shut precisely on the hour.
Also, if you have SENTRI and have a non-SENTRI passenger, it is a common practice to let the passenger(s) off 200m before the gate at Otay Mesa. It is
either against the rules or frowned upon, yet many many people do that. The non-SENTRI passenger should have their personal items, shopping items, and
documents with them as they enter the pedestrian line. Bulky items that may not be attributable to that specific passenger, such as a sleeping bag
could probably remain in the vehicle. However the driver is responsible/liable for anything illegal in the vehicle.
Last night at Otay Mesa 9:00 PM, the SENTRI vehicle lane was 5 minutes, while the pedestrians had a very long line, unusually long. So that strategy
may not have helped in that situation.
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PaulW
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I have done them all and I like Mexicali East
Check the hours
Best time is 6-8AM regardless
Right lane entry is required without Ready or Sentri
Approach the entry to the border from the east not west. A cop will prevent you from making a left turn when coming from the west. The fix is keep
going until you find a place to do a U turn. Early in the AM that means go all the way to the first traffic light.
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Bob and Susan
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currently its dark until 730am
its 10 hours from mulege to mexicali
i stop 2 times for gas
the last 2 times i crossed it was a 2hour wait
(afternoon)
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phmilo
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Heading to Washington state. Probably coming up 5
Mx5. Was also thinking Tecate might be good, but not sure where to stay the night before.
Edit: we won't be doing 10 hour days, more like 6-8 max. A few stops are fine
, but don't love the idea of overnight in mexicali.
[Edited on 10-25-2021 by phmilo]
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David K
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If using I-5 from San Diego:
Stay in San Felipe the night before... fill up on fish tacos, sleep well, leave after breakfast.
Tecate is 3.5 hours from San Felipe (84 miles west of Mexicali).
Going north on Mex. #5, you will go under the Hwy. 2-D bridge, then make a U-turn at the first opening in the divided road, and then head back south
on the 5 in order to get onto Mex. #2-D, heading west to Tecate.
A toll gate is reached soon. You avoid all of the Mexicali city traffic, or much of it. You will have two more tolls before Tecate.
A few miles outside of Tecate, you fork off (at Km. 117+) to the right, onto the free highway (Mex. #2). In 1.4 miles, past the factories, is a sign
and signal for GARITA (border), to the right*. In 2.6 miles is the entrance to USA.
*A bathroom, market, and gas station is straight (0.4 mi.) ahead (ie don't turn right yet) if you need it before the border wait.
These three maps cover Hwy. 2 & 2-D:
[Edited on 10-25-2021 by David K]
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mtgoat666
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Take Mexicali west. Cross mid-day.
Never go to tecate, the line is unpredictable, and the extra drive time is significant.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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mtgoat666
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Quote: Originally posted by phmilo  | Heading to Washington state. Probably coming up 5
Mx5. Was also thinking Tecate might be good, but not sure where to stay the night before.
Edit: we won't be doing 10 hour days, more like 6-8 max. A few stops are fine
, but don't love the idea of overnight in mexicali.
[Edited on 10-25-2021 by phmilo] |
If you leave GN at sunrise, you will be at Mexicali west at about 1 or 2 in afternoon.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Alm
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Interesting. According to CBP website, at Calexico East there is zero wait after 2pm. And 1 hour at all other times, until 1pm. How can it be - 1 hour
wait at 1pm and then suddenly zero after 2pm, no people at all?
[Edited on 10-26-2021 by Alm]
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David K
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They close at 2, Covid hours! 
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del mar
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The Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP in English) reported that as of November 8, the border port of the New Mexicali areas will open from 6
in the morning to 10 at night.
One day before, the same schedule will be applied at the Tecate
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JZ
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| Quote: Originally posted by phmilo | Heading to Washington state. Probably coming up 5
Mx5. Was also thinking Tecate might be good, but not sure where to stay the night before.
Edit: we won't be doing 10 hour days, more like 6-8 max. A few stops are fine
, but don't love the idea of overnight in mexicali.
[Edited on 10-25-2021 by phmilo] |
Don't do Tecate. Mexicali East. Stay in San Felipe the night before.
Get Sentri so you don't have to deal with this on the future.
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PaulW
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Andrade and Mexicali East 6AM to 10PM starting Nov 8
until then 6AM to 2PM.
== =
| Quote: Originally posted by del mar | The Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP in English) reported that as of November 8, the border port of the New Mexicali areas will open from 6
in the morning to 10 at night.
One day before, the same schedule will be applied at the Tecate |
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LaTijereta
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Great news about Tecate re-opening up their hours to 10pm..
Always had good crossing times later in the after 5pm crossing Northbound..
Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin (1759)
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Alm
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First few days after November 8 it's going to be crazy, in general lanes of all Northbound crossings. Mexico probably don't have any form of vaccine
passport yet.
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Bob and Susan
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the border is open to mexican tourists....they only need proof of vaccine
its a madhouse on the north side again in the usa
lines are long NOW
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mtgoat666
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan | the border is open to mexican tourists....they only need proof of vaccine
its a madhouse on the north side again in the usa
lines are long NOW
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susan:
i dont think non-essential mexican visitors can enter with vaccine until November
i am not seeing a madhouse north of the border -- i think you are watching the wrong channel...
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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David K
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San Diego TV news has said Nov. 8 is when the new deal begins.
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