BajaNomad

San Felipe via Tecate?

sancho - 10-2-2010 at 09:29 AM

I usually cross at Calexico, but what are the advantages
that anyone sees at crossing at Tecate? I understand
you aviod Mexicalli, which may be enough right there.
I believe the mileage is the same, from San Diego.
Is paying for an fmm a little more time consuming at Tecate?
and I believe there is a grade on the toll road
and a toll of something close to $8 or so
each way?
thanks for your time

David K - 10-2-2010 at 10:11 AM

I have been both ways... mileage and time is close to the same. The cost if using the toll (which is how the time is the same, as you can drive faster and avoid Mexicali traffic) is just under $10 for all three tolls combined (El Hongo, La Rumorosa, Mexicali Libramente at Mex. 5)...
NO FMM needed for San Felipe for 3 days or free one for 7 days... but there are no migra checkpoints anywhere in the state of Baja California.

mcfez - 10-2-2010 at 01:22 PM

Cross Mexicali all the time. Best to cross into Mexico 11-3 pm Enter USA 1-3 am ....so my experience says.

Take a book when waiting in line.....

David K - 10-2-2010 at 03:12 PM

Enter USA 1-3 am ....so my experience says.

So, night driving, are we??? :biggrin:

mcfez - 10-2-2010 at 03:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Enter USA 1-3 am ....so my experience says.

So, night driving, are we??? :biggrin:



All the time. I follow the trucks....or the trucks follow me. Been driving Mex at night for 30 years

David K - 10-2-2010 at 04:14 PM

Yup, we went to El Rosario a Friday night last month... got dark in Ensenada and arrived at Baja cactus at 11:30... just like in the good 'ol days before narco-terrorism:wow:

grace59 - 10-3-2010 at 05:24 PM

We like the Tecate to San Felipe and back trip. It avoids the long crossing into and out of Mexico. When you are waiting at the border to return to the US in Tecate there are a few vendors (get a bag of the churros for 2 dollars), but there are no windshield washers or beggers. Just avoiding all the Mexicali traffic makes it worth it...tolls total about 10 dollars.

mcfez - 10-3-2010 at 05:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by grace59
We like the Tecate to San Felipe and back trip. It avoids the long crossing into and out of Mexico. When you are waiting at the border to return to the US in Tecate there are a few vendors (get a bag of the churros for 2 dollars), but there are no windshield washers or beggers. Just avoiding all the Mexicali traffic makes it worth it...tolls total about 10 dollars.


I hate the Mexicali crossing, but am "forced" to take it home. My son Nicky and Grand kids.... LOVES to deal with the vendors. And they are respectful to them too...even giving that guy without legs (he is always by the steel road bumps as one approaches the booths) the left over pesos. My truck's front window glass is getting thin......

Saving Time by Crossing at Night ?

MrBillM - 10-3-2010 at 07:38 PM

Yeah, Sure, You Betcha !

I can speak only to crossing at Mexicali's Garita Oriente, but I ALWAYS cross on a weekday from 1 to 3 p.m. and, in the last year, there was only one time it came close to an hour with the rule being between 20-40 minutes.

On the last two Northbound crossings on a Wednesday, including last week, I arrived just before 1 p.m. and the crossing times were 9 minutes and 5 minutes from STOP in line to the Kiosk.

Not much of an incentive for Night Driving.


[Edited on 10-4-2010 by MrBillM]

mcfez - 10-3-2010 at 10:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
Yeah, Sure, You Betcha !

I can speak only to crossing at Mexicali's Garita Oriente, but I ALWAYS cross on a weekday from 1 to 3 p.m. and, in the last year, there was only one time it came close to an hour with the rule being between 20-40 minutes.

On the last two Northbound crossings on a Wednesday, including last week, I arrived just before 1 p.m. and the crossing times were 9 minutes and 5 minutes from STOP in line to the Kiosk.

Not much of an incentive for Night Driving.


[Edited on 10-4-2010 by MrBillM]


Less traffic on average at the gate.
Less traffic on the roads.
Cooler at night.
You Betcha, incentive for this driver.

TMW - 10-4-2010 at 09:05 AM

I don't recommend crossing into Baja at Mexicali on a Friday evening. Long lines.