BajaNomad - Coming out of Baja at Tecate

Coming out of Baja at Tecate

satmike - 12-31-2013 at 03:25 PM

I have heard talk of turning by the circle K at the top of the hill to avoid going through town and stop signs.
Any directions or maybe DavidK could post a map would be great.
I pull a 22' trailer and it is always fun on the hill with all the stop signs and cops.
Thanks Mike

David K - 12-31-2013 at 05:37 PM

I have no idea of what Circle K (in Mexico?) you are talking about... but as far as finding the U.S. border from anywhere in Tecate, it is EASY and well signed...

The driveway to USA is located on the FREE Mexicali Hwy (Mex. 2)., just east of the tree filled traffic circle/ junction. If coming north from Ensenada on Hwy. 3, you come into Tecate after passing under the TOLL hwy. (Mex. 2-D) bridge... come down a long hill, and yes there are signals and stop signs... pass close to a big baseball park (on the right) and turn right at the next intersection (along railroad tracks and well before the big McDonald's straight ahead). you will fork left off that road, leaving the train tracks and come to the tree filled circle/ junction with Mex. 2... Turn right (east) and go to the next signal, and that is the USA driveway (signed Garita, etc.).

I have posted satellite images of this whole series of turns... a few years ago... I will repost here if I locate them...

Here is the thread: Directions to Tecate Border North: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=50870

[Edited on 1-1-2014 by David K]

rts551 - 12-31-2013 at 06:04 PM

he is talking about the Circle K at the top of the hill on the Tecate HWY before the entrance to the toll road. don't remember a way around unless you take the toll road east to the free road....and then back towards Tecate that way.

Baja Bucko - 12-31-2013 at 06:15 PM

The bummer abt Tecate is ....well, I have a CLUTCH and folks just seem to pull up CLOSE right behind me every time especially creeping up that hill. My next Baja vehicle will have no clutch but that's not happening for a long while as otherwise I love my Ranger.

EnsenadaDr - 12-31-2013 at 06:28 PM

The roads you are talking about a little bit down towards the center of town near the Circle K on the Carretera Ensenada - Tecate are the toll roads, going east is Mexicali, going west is Tijuana/Otay Mesa. If you want to get to the Tecate border go straight and follow the signs, it is about 10 minutes there from the Circle K, through town which even with traffic you will pass with a blink of an eye or two. If it is early in the morning however, on a weekday the traffic will be hours, likewise afternoon or evening weekends, jam packed crossing the border. If you have a Sentri, take the Otay Mesa or San Ysidro Border crossing at those times as there is no Sentri lane in Tecate. You can take the Toll Road in which case it will cost you 100 pesos (make sure you have pesos and not american money they will not accept it) or you can take the free road to those locations which you get to by going straight on the Carretera and make a left at the McDonald's. That is the free road to Otay Mesa or San Ysidro border crossing which takes about 35 minutes to get there from Tecate.

David K - 12-31-2013 at 06:33 PM

When did the toll roads stop taking dollars???

David K - 12-31-2013 at 06:39 PM

Original thread: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=50870

No matter which way you come into Tecate, the U.S. border access road is on the east side of town off the free Mexicali highway.. well signed:

===========================================
Coming north from Ensenada or Hwy. 2-D central Tecate exit... Fork to right, on blvd. along train tracks... big McDonalds is across the blvd. ahead if you went straight.

If you miss this turn, continue ahead to the town plaza/ park and turn right at the far corner (free Mexicali highway)!

Fork left here, driving away from the train tracks (San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railroad, originally):

"Trafic Circle" with trees and stop signs (be sure to make a full stop, police may be watching). Go to right, east from circle:

Turn left a short distance east of traffic circle for U.S. Border:

A look west along the border:

Remember, Tecate border is not open 24 hours! 5am to 11 pm, last I recall.

Here are some of the signs as you drive through Tecate showing you the way to the U.S. border:

rts551 - 12-31-2013 at 07:35 PM

I think he knows the way but was looking for an alternative to the stop signs and police.

Clutch less

Whale-ista - 12-31-2013 at 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja Bucko
The bummer abt Tecate is ....well, I have a CLUTCH and folks just seem to pull up CLOSE right behind me every time especially creeping up that hill. My next Baja vehicle will have no clutch but that's not happening for a long while as otherwise I love my Ranger.

I know what you mean- had a 4wd 5 speed Ranger, sold it to a friend in Ensenada when his was stolen and got an auto Mazda B4000 this year. (Basically a Ranger in Mazda clothing)

I miss the 4wd, but not that clutch, esp in lines at border!

Maderita - 12-31-2013 at 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
... You can take the Toll Road in which case it will cost you 100 pesos (make sure you have pesos and not american money they will not accept it)...

The toll between Tecate and Otay Mesa can be paid in US dollars.
They give back change in pesos only.
As of this afternoon, the toll was $7.20 for cars.
And, yes, I paid exact change with US dollars.

EnsenadaDr - 12-31-2013 at 08:47 PM

I am not talking about the Tijuana/Otay Mesa and now defunct Ensenada toll roads. I am talking about the Corredor 2000 and the Mexicali road from Tecate, I have had them ask me for pesos only.

Quote:

Originally posted by Maderita

Quote:

Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
... You can take the Toll Road in which case it will cost you 100 pesos (make sure you have pesos and not american money they will not accept it)...

The toll between Tecate and Otay Mesa can be paid in US dollars.
They give back change in pesos only.
As of this afternoon, the toll was $7.20 for cars.
And, yes, I paid exact change with US dollars.

David K - 12-31-2013 at 09:36 PM

Corredor 2000 is not a toll road. The exit off 1-D is for the portion of it you just used.

[Edited on 1-1-2014 by David K]

satmike - 1-1-2014 at 11:06 AM

Thanks, I have been through Tecate going North many times. I am trying not to go down the hill with all the stop signs. I read about an alternate route that takes off by the circleK [Pemex] at the top of the hill before going down into town. I don't know if you take the toll road east twords Mexicali for a little ways or what.
Thanks Mike

EnsenadaDr - 1-1-2014 at 11:12 AM

If you get off of the toll road heading north to Rosarito and exit on Corredor 2000 it costs 22 pesos. If you get on it on the free road heading south to La Mision from Rosarito there is not charge. I have done both

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Corredor 2000 is not a toll road. The exit off 1-D is for the portion of it you just used.

[Edited on 1-1-2014 by David K]

EnsenadaDr - 1-1-2014 at 11:16 AM

I am traveling at least once a week on the Tecate road from Ensenada to the border and have absolutely no problems with police at stop signs. In fact as you enter into town going downhill some of the stop signs are replaced with flashing red lights and nobody stops and no police are around. If you have issues with your clutch cross on the weekends at 5 am or during the week around 3 pm. or take the free road to Otay Mesa and cross there. The police that are handing out tickets like confetti are the sheriffs that are working overtime on the 94 heading to El Cajon and will pull you over for nothing looking for smugglers etc.

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
I think he knows the way but was looking for an alternative to the stop signs and police.

EnsenadaDr - 1-1-2014 at 11:18 AM

Better yet stop at a transmission place and get your clutch replaced for about $200 American and they do a great job. Believe me I know.

bajaguy - 1-1-2014 at 11:35 AM

Actually costs 25 pesos.... :lol:

Quote:

Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
If you get off of the toll road heading north to Rosarito and exit on Corredor 2000 it costs 22 pesos. If you get on it on the free road heading south to La Mision from Rosarito there is not charge. I have done both

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Corredor 2000 is not a toll road. The exit off 1-D is for the portion of it you just used.

[Edited on 1-1-2014 by David K]

EnsenadaDr - 1-1-2014 at 11:47 AM

They must have ripped you off they asked me for $22 pesos!!

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Actually costs 25 pesos.... :lol:

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Corredor 2000 is not a toll road. The exit off 1-D is for the portion of it you just used.

[Edited on 1-1-2014 by David K]

dasubergeek - 1-1-2014 at 10:53 PM

I was just there this weekend, 25 pesos or US$2.25 to exit 1-D for Corredor 2000.

You're right about 2-D, though, no dollars and no posting about dollars.

rts551 - 1-2-2014 at 07:56 AM

Does that mean the OP with his 22 ft trailer shouldn't look for an alternative route to the Tecate gate?

SATMIKE..wish we had better info for you.

Quote:

Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
I am traveling at least once a week on the Tecate road from Ensenada to the border and have absolutely no problems with police at stop signs. In fact as you enter into town going downhill some of the stop signs are replaced with flashing red lights and nobody stops and no police are around. If you have issues with your clutch cross on the weekends at 5 am or during the week around 3 pm. or take the free road to Otay Mesa and cross there. The police that are handing out tickets like confetti are the sheriffs that are working overtime on the 94 heading to El Cajon and will pull you over for nothing looking for smugglers etc.

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
I think he knows the way but was looking for an alternative to the stop signs and police.