BajaNomad

Tijuana border crossing

absinvestor - 9-5-2011 at 04:17 PM

Heading up to the coast of Oregon in mid October. We have been using Tecate crossing which we like when going to Colorado but somewhat out of the way when heading straight north. It has been 15 years since we've used Tijuana to cross. I know it will be busier but is it still a straight shot when heading North? We will be driving a 33ft motorhome and towing a car. I can deal with the traffic if getting to the border crossing is simple. (I know we are leaving the perfect fall weather in Baja but grandkids pull us out for the holidays!!)

Bajahowodd - 9-5-2011 at 05:04 PM

If you don't wish to go through Tecate, and you don't have Sentri, you really ought to consider crossing at Otay. Exiting off the toll road may be a bit dicey with your rig, but, after you head right on 2000, the rest of the trip is almost all freeway style.

RnR - 9-6-2011 at 07:28 AM

Second on Otay.

There's almost a 100% chance that you are going to secondary. If the inspector can't see everything from his booth, (your towed car, inside your MOHO's refrig, etc.), you're off to secondary.

Getting into secondary at San Ysidro with a large rig/trailer is difficult. They send you to the right against the flow of traffic. Otay is easier to get to the secondary inspection area and the inspector's usually arrive faster.

Pescador - 9-6-2011 at 07:41 AM

You either want to do Tecate or Otay. They have now closed down 6 lanes, at least, at TJ and the wait is terrible. Where we normally crossed in 30 minutes, the wait was at least two hours and really slow. You will be pulled into secondary which means you have to start out on the far left for the RV lane and then go against all traffic to go complete right (across 24 lanes of traffic with 6 or 7 closed) and pull into secondary. If you were not a serious drinking man before, you would be after that experience.
If you decide to go out at Tecate, then you can turn right and go to highway 8 and probably still get to San Diego in less time than crossing at TJ.
I have not used Otay, (I am still trying to find it from the south) but the other posters here have more experience on that.

Lee - 9-6-2011 at 07:51 AM

Since Tecate is more or less out of the way, Otay seems to be the best bet.

Don't go through San Ysidro with a MH.

David -- can you post a map and directions for this guy?

David K - 9-6-2011 at 08:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Lee
Since Tecate is more or less out of the way, Otay seems to be the best bet.

Don't go through San Ysidro with a MH.

David -- can you post a map and directions for this guy?


Me?

No matter where you are headed along the west coast, I will only recommend Tecate and not Otay Mesa... However, if you must torture yourself with a mandatory 2 hour wait*, then use the Corredor 2000 from Hwy. 1 at Popotla, and at the end of the 2000, go west on 'Industrial' 5 miles to the Otay Border Garita... well signed.

* Not seriously, but typical.

durrelllrobert - 9-6-2011 at 11:44 AM

I second Otay especially when headed north. After you cross just get on Ca 125 north (toll road), cross over I 8 and continue down the hill to Santee where it becomes CA 57. Go west to I 15 which gets you just south of Miramar or continue a little further west to I 5 which gets you just north of Pacific Beach. Either way you miss all the SD trafic and cut at least 30 minutes off your travel time.

Dave - 9-6-2011 at 12:55 PM

Will they let MoHo's use the truck (left) lane at Tecate?

If so, you would have zero wait and making back westerly would be quicker than either SY or Otay.

J.P. - 9-6-2011 at 01:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Will they let MoHo's use the truck (left) lane at Tecate?

If so, you would have zero wait and making back westerly would be quicker than either SY or Otay.



When you go through Tecate in a MH. keep to the left booth so you can turn into secondary. I used to go through Tijuna in a 36'mh pulling a toad but not since they went crazy.

DENNIS - 9-6-2011 at 01:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Will they let MoHo's use the truck (left) lane at Tecate?

If so, you would have zero wait and making back westerly would be quicker than either SY or Otay.


No way, although with a MoHo of good length, it's advised to use the left of the two gates as there's more room to make the tight, right turn when you exit the inspection booth. the guard has assured me that a 35 footer can do it with good driving skills.

absinvestor - 9-6-2011 at 03:36 PM

Thanks for the great info. Since I'm familar with Tecate guess I'll exit there. We usually end up in secondary (dog food or something!!) so it looks like timewise and worry wise Tecate is my best bet. Thanks for the advice. Ron

Toll???

bajaguy - 9-6-2011 at 08:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I second Otay especially when headed north. After you cross just get on Ca 125 north (toll road), cross over I 8 and continue down the hill to Santee where it becomes CA 57. Go west to I 15 which gets you just south of Miramar or continue a little further west to I 5 which gets you just north of Pacific Beach. Either way you miss all the SD trafic and cut at least 30 minutes off your travel time.





Bob....what's the toll for the 125 from Otay to the 57????

J.P. - 9-6-2011 at 08:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I second Otay especially when headed north. After you cross just get on Ca 125 north (toll road), cross over I 8 and continue down the hill to Santee where it becomes CA 57. Go west to I 15 which gets you just south of Miramar or continue a little further west to I 5 which gets you just north of Pacific Beach. Either way you miss all the SD trafic and cut at least 30 minutes off your travel time.








I am not bob but the toll is around 3.50 for a car




Bob....what's the toll for the 125 from Otay to the 57????