BajaNomad

I FOUND THE DEFINITIVE BORDER CROSSING WEB APPLICATION!

Udo - 3-2-2013 at 11:37 AM

I found it by reading the BAJA PONY EXPRESS (or BPE, as the locals call it).
It is thoroughly comprehensive and includes all US/MEXICO border crossings, waiting times, etc.
You can select your crossing at will, and check average wait times

Highly informative!

Here is the link

http://traffic.calit2.net/border/border-wait-times.php?type=...

willardguy - 3-2-2013 at 12:02 PM

they busted this out last april. still only as accurate as the data they receive, from border patrol.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=59381#pid7132...

durrelllrobert - 3-2-2013 at 12:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
they busted this out last april. still only as accurate as the data they receive, from border patrol.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=59381#pid7132...


Amen on that

Skipjack Joe - 3-2-2013 at 02:18 PM

Very useful. Where is the 'Andrade' crossing?

Udo - 3-2-2013 at 02:23 PM

No idea, Skipjack.
Perhaps another Nomad might know.

rts551 - 3-2-2013 at 02:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Very useful. Where is the 'Andrade' crossing?


over by yuma

Pacifico - 3-2-2013 at 03:14 PM

Thanks! Downloading it right now!

DENNIS - 3-2-2013 at 03:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Very useful. Where is the 'Andrade' crossing?


over by yuma


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrade_Port_of_Entry

Pescador - 3-2-2013 at 05:21 PM

Andrade is such an insignificant crossing that they do not report to any of the monitors. The only time I have ever had a problem there was when the Q-tips (little old ladys in white tennis shoes) (Don't bust my chops that is what they are called by the locals) are crossing back in droves.

rglansing - 3-2-2013 at 06:43 PM

Andrade is the Algadones crossing that the snow birds in Yuma and southern Arizona use for Dental and Eye care. And just to shop.

fixtrauma - 3-2-2013 at 06:57 PM

We used this site to plan the hour of our crossing in December and January. The times in our case were much better than posted!!

durrelllrobert - 3-2-2013 at 08:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Very useful. Where is the 'Andrade' crossing?

Los Algadones, just west of Yuma.

EDIT:
Oops, i replied before i looked at the other answers below.

[Edited on 3-3-2013 by durrelllrobert]

BajaNomad - 3-2-2013 at 08:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
they busted this out last april. still only as accurate as the data they receive, from border patrol.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=59381#pid7132...


This app has been noted multiple times by Nomads. My own personal experience with it has been VERY positive.

;)

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=64914

willardguy - 3-2-2013 at 08:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNomad
Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
they busted this out last april. still only as accurate as the data they receive, from border patrol.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=59381#pid7132...


This app has been noted multiple times by Nomads. My own personal experience with it has been VERY positive.

;) It was also found to be very inaccurate by nomads. this from the creator of the site.




The data for the graphs comes from the "Border Wait Times - U.S. Customs and Border Protection" website, http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt. That site only shows a snapshot of data for the past hour or until a new wait time is given. The graphs you see are an aggregate of data from the last 3 months.

Unfortunately, the data on the graphs is only as good as the data that comes in.

For the Tecate data on last Friday at 5pm, the data that came in is way less than the 2 hours mentioned. We're hoping to come up with a way to get more data ...

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=64914

CortezBlue - 3-2-2013 at 09:12 PM

I've had this app for months, and I hate to bust your bubble, but it is hit or miss.

Can't say that it has been accurate, at least in Calexico

SFandH - 3-3-2013 at 11:57 AM

The problem with the averaged wait time data is that it is average data. What's the variance? What's the standard deviation? The real wait time could be significantly different. Is is a holiday? Is it raining? Is it Mexico day a Disneyland? Is school in session? Lots of variables that need to be considered that aren't.

I just looked at the site. It says the current wait time at San Ysidro as of 10 AM is 14 minutes (Sunday) with 6 lanes open. Yeah, sure thing. It's probably more like 2 hours and 14 minutes with what, 13 lanes open?

http://traffic.calit2.net/border/border-wait-times.php?type=...

Udo - 3-3-2013 at 03:59 PM

I cross at Tecate 100% of the time, and at least for Tecate, it appears very accurate.
I know DK also crosses there regularly and at different days, just as I do.
Whoever came up with the Tecate crossing spread sheet did an excellent job!

SFandH - 3-3-2013 at 04:28 PM

It appears that the bar charts beneath the line graph show the variation in the data (min/max/average) for a given day and hour. As you can see, there are wide variations for the San Ysidro crossing. Right now it could be anywhere from 50 minutes to 200 minutes. Big difference. Where's a Gaussian distribution when you need one?

willardguy - 3-3-2013 at 07:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
I cross at Tecate 100% of the time, and at least for Tecate, it appears very accurate.
I know DK also crosses there regularly and at different days, just as I do.
Whoever came up with the Tecate crossing spread sheet did an excellent job!
hey amigo, help me to understand. you cross at tecate 100% of the time, yet this earlier:

Otay is the one I use regularly to cross when I stay in La Mision (POCO CIELO).
After crossing, turn left at the traffic light. Go about fi miles, and just before you start going through the toll road to Tecate, make a right.
Word of caution...
When heading North on Corridor 2000, the last 10 miles is pretty torn up, and the detour is the center divider.
The trip South is not affected.


and if you just discovered this app how do you verify its accuracy? :?:

willardguy - 3-5-2013 at 10:41 PM

well it wasnt even close today at SY. but it got me thinking wouldnt it be great if there were a site where people that just crossed could input their times, kind of a yelp for border crossing times? or maybe there already is?:?:

BajaNomad - 3-5-2013 at 11:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
it got me thinking wouldnt it be great if there were a site where people that just crossed could input their times


That's what the CBP info is anyway; uncertain how they gather that info though.

It's been pointed out to me many times that finding out how long it took for someone that just crossed is somewhat moot to someone getting in the line.... cause when they got in the line it was: 1, 2, 3, 4? hours ago.

Some services in Tijuana report line lengths for San Ysidro and Otay crossings - not time. Seems to be, perhaps, more relevant info for someone looking to cross northbound.

David K - 3-5-2013 at 11:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
I cross at Tecate 100% of the time, and at least for Tecate, it appears very accurate.
I know DK also crosses there regularly and at different days, just as I do.
Whoever came up with the Tecate crossing spread sheet did an excellent job!


Yup, I do go southbound at Otay, Tecate and Mexicali (west)... but northbound, (just about) always at Tecate.

We did Mexicali north once in the past couple years... but regretted it. I did have the longest border wait at Tecate when Max and I were returning from an event in Guadalupe, 5 hours starting at 4:30 Sunday afternoon, as I recall.

One other time it was 3 hours... but more often it is 05-45 minutes.

Ateo - 3-6-2013 at 07:58 AM

As I was sitting in the Otay line this weekend listening to a podcast about technology and our future, I mourned the sorry state of our current border crossing experience. Can it not be better?

Here's what I would do (given I had funding):

Electronic signs on all northbound routes to the border stating border wait times.
San Ysidro: 3 hours
Otay: 1 hour
Tecate:45 minutes

They should break down the specific lanes as well (Sentri, Ready, Regular)

The I'd open a pay to cross (toll) border. I'm getting Sentri soon but in the past I would've paid $30 to not sit in line for 4 hours.

How about free wifi while in line?

Then I'd open another border at playas with a super green, enviro friendly bridge, with 80 lanes over the TJ river.

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Edited on 3-6-2013 by Ateo]

Udo - 3-6-2013 at 08:29 AM

Apologies for the misunderstanding.

What I should have stated is that I cross south at OtaY almost 100% of the time (unless I have my kayak, then I cross at Tecate).
Northbound crossing is always Tecate.
Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
I cross at Tecate 100% of the time, and at least for Tecate, it appears very accurate.
I know DK also crosses there regularly and at different days, just as I do.
Whoever came up with the Tecate crossing spread sheet did an excellent job!
hey amigo, help me to understand. you cross at tecate 100% of the time, yet this earlier:

Otay is the one I use regularly to cross when I stay in La Mision (POCO CIELO).
After crossing, turn left at the traffic light. Go about fi miles, and just before you start going through the toll road to Tecate, make a right.
Word of caution...
When heading North on Corridor 2000, the last 10 miles is pretty torn up, and the detour is the center divider.
The trip South is not affected.


and if you just discovered this app how do you verify its accuracy? :?:

Udo - 3-6-2013 at 08:33 AM

I'll write to the Secretario de Turismo, Ateo,
you have a great idea there.