BajaNomad - Optimum Northbound route to San Ysidro

Optimum Northbound route to San Ysidro

Rides2Little - 10-3-2016 at 04:50 PM

Will be headed back north from Ensenada and going through San Ysidro. It has been a few years since I have crossed back into the US on this route and was wondering what the best option currently is. It looks like up the coast until Hwy1 splits and then stay on Hwy1 until it intersects Paseo de los Heroes, turn left and stay to the center entering the old spaghetti bowl interchange and over the viaduct?

I am assuming the toll road up the coast to Via Internacional isn't really workable because of construction.

This will be an early Sunday morning crossing, leaving Ensenada around 6am.

Thanks in advance for any constructive comments!

woody with a view - 10-3-2016 at 05:41 PM

Ilike to go thru town instead of turning off and parraleling the border fence. If you go thru town you can easily see the correct lane you should be in for the border line.

Udo - 10-3-2016 at 08:36 PM

From Ensenada, and early in the morning, Otay is a faster option. But the fastest is Tecate, where early morning there is generally no wait.

SFandH - 10-4-2016 at 08:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Rides2Little

I am assuming the toll road up the coast to Via Internacional isn't really workable because of construction.

I'm not aware of any construction on the toll road except at the new interchange at north Rosarito but as of a few weeks ago it did not affect northbound traffic.

There may or may not be construction on Via Internacional close to the crossing where they are building a new overpass.

You could take the toll road and just stay on the road after it turns to the east at Playas de Tijuana. It turns into 2nd street and goes straight to the border. Light traffic Sunday AM.

Stay to the left of the concrete dividers, but in the lane next to them, when you reach the border spaghetti interchange at the end of 2nd street. That will take you to the regular lanes. Ready and Sentri lanes are a different route.

Earlier the better on Sunday. You'll have a MUCH shorter wait if you leave Ensenada at 4 AM.

[Edited on 10-4-2016 by SFandH]

DENNIS - 10-4-2016 at 08:35 AM

TECATE.................Y NADA MAS.

Martyman - 10-4-2016 at 09:20 AM

You should be fine early in the AM. Tecate is nice if you are retired and have all the time in the world.

Rides2Little - 10-4-2016 at 02:35 PM

Thank you for the responses. @SFandH, I worded that sentence poorly but you got at what I was after.

I am choosing to cross at San Ysidro this time because I have to drop someone off at the San Diego airport and didn't want to go through Tecate as I usually do.

Thanks for the insight.

David K - 10-4-2016 at 05:52 PM

The thinking is that the extra 45 minutes driving from Tecate to San Diego may be less than the border wait at San Ysidro or Otay Mesa! Of course, it's not a guarantee that Tecate will have a super short wait!

Ken Cooke - 10-4-2016 at 07:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Martyman

You should be fine early in the AM. Tecate is nice if you are retired and have all the time in the world.

Tecate for me, I'm a Gen X'er. In Dulzura, Ca next to the U.S. Post Office, the make great street tacos over a mesquite bbq!

SlyOnce - 10-5-2016 at 05:25 PM

I live in Playas de TJ

If you come on Ave International, you have to exit on Ocampo (at the Pemex) last exit before Via Rapida merge, then make a left on 2nd and you are right in the border lanes.

Be aware that these days Ocampo is often CLOSED do the large population of Hatians gathering there at the Mission. Almost certain to be closed early Sunday, which means you have to drive down to Plaza Rio and make some turns at the glorietas, etc.

All this means you should just stay on 2nd Ave! Unless you know you way around TJ early in the morning.

willardguy - 10-5-2016 at 05:57 PM

some of my shortest crossings have been tecate.....some of my loongest crossings have been tecate. you take sally i'll take sue, i'd take SY via the free road.
jmho

WhackAMolE - 10-14-2016 at 03:43 PM

Question about Tecate. I heard there's a new casino in Jarmul and that there are huge traffic jams now. Is this still true? Or was the traffic only for the opening? Jarmul is the town you go through to get to San Diego if you cross at Tecate.

[Edited on 10-14-2016 by WhackAMolE]

fishbuck - 10-14-2016 at 04:09 PM

Anyone want to make a prediction of what the traffic will be like at the border on Monday after Thanksgiving? I'm thinking either Otay or San Ysidro crossing.

David K - 10-14-2016 at 04:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by WhackAMolE

Question about Tecate. I heard there's a new casino in Jarmul and that there are huge traffic jams now. Is this still true? Or was the traffic only for the opening? Jarmul is the town you go through to get to San Diego if you cross at Tecate.

[Edited on 10-14-2016 by WhackAMolE]

Bajaboy posted in another thread about avoiding the Hollywood Casino in Jamul, saying to take the Otay Lakes Road cutoff to the 125, totally avoiding any Casino area traffic. It continues on to the 805 as well, name becomes Telegraph Canyon Rd.

fishbuck - 10-14-2016 at 04:40 PM

I am flying out early (6:30a) from San Diego on Tuesday Nov. 29.
So my choice is line up Monday after driving from San Quintin which I think is 5-6 hours to border or maybe kill a little time in TJ and try about 2am or so.
Ideally I'm in a cheap motel in San Diego Monday night and turn in my rental super early before my flight.
What is the worst time for crossing at EIther Otay or San Y?

David K - 10-14-2016 at 04:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck

I am flying out early (6:30a) from San Diego on Tuesday Nov. 29.
So my choice is line up Monday after driving from San Quintin which I think is 5-6 hours to border or maybe kill a little time in TJ and try about 2am or so.
Ideally I'm in a cheap motel in San Diego Monday night and turn in my rental super early before my flight.
What is the worst time for crossing at EIther Otay or San Y?

You can get to San Quintin in 4 to 4.5 hours if no delays. Just under 200 road miles from border.

elgatoloco - 10-14-2016 at 04:48 PM

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

fishbuck - 10-14-2016 at 05:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck

You can get to San Quintin in 4 to 4.5 hours if no delays. Just under 200 road miles from border.

Yeah I guess that's about right. Seems a little longer on the way north. Even leaving at 8 always gets me there at peak border traffic... like 1-3 in the afternoon. I guess I could leave Sunday afternoon from SQ and stage myself in Ensenada for a super early Monday morning crossing.
I can met you Monday afternoon Dave for In and Out Burger!

[Edited on 10-15-2016 by fishbuck]

David K - 10-14-2016 at 07:38 PM

Sure thing Mike! Just call when you're an hour or so away.

mtgoat666 - 10-14-2016 at 08:04 PM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck

Worst time is rush hour.

but it varies.

Plenty of places on the web you can look at historical stats.

What's the hurry? Get in line and listen to bob Dylan and read a magazine.

fishbuck - 10-14-2016 at 11:21 PM

The 1st 2 hours are ok... it's that 3rd hour when I can see the gate that get's to me.