We will be headed through TJ This Saturday and have an option of crossing the border, by car no sentri:
Around noon
3pm
Or
5pm
Weather is supposed to be nice (not sure if that makes a Difference ).
Will there be much variation in wait times depending on when we return ? What might we expect ? Traveling with our child so trying to find that
balance of maximizing time in Baja without being stuck in a car for too long .
Thanks !Bajazly - 1-9-2018 at 12:03 PM
Drive up from Ensenada or over from TJ and cross at Tecate, same distance plus or minus, a nicer drive and less wait. Later in the day seems to be
pretty short. New years day at 2 PM was only an hour, the trip before on a Sunday about 4PM was only 15 minutes. On average when I go thru Tecate it's
about an hour.seabright_sc - 1-9-2018 at 12:16 PM
We will be on Rosarito . Is Tecate still a reasonable option ?bajaguy - 1-9-2018 at 12:22 PM
We will be on Rosarito . Is Tecate still a reasonable option ?
No, Tecate is not a "reasonable" option from Rosarito
I would try noon, just my 2 centavos...........ymmv
Using Otay may be an option, too using Corridor 2000 to the very end, then go west on Industrial (at the Bighorn Sheep monument, near the toll gates
for the Tecate toll road ahead). In 4 miles go north to the Otay Border (Garita Otay), a mile north.
Personally, I would go to Tecate from Rosarito... anything other than the Tijuana border wait line! A nice drive instead of sitting in the car and not
moving much for 2-3 hours. See more of Baja! Sure Tecate can have long lines too, but it is not common. Getting to the border closer to noon is a
better bet than the afternoon.
From the Rosarito Beach Hotel (or wherever you start) drive south on the Free Road (Highway 1) to Popotla, pretty close to Rosarito. Just past the
Baja Studios (where Titanic and other movies were filmed), prepare to turn left (signal) onto the Corridor 2000 (Baja Highway 201, a free road). Take
it to Highway 2 (a Free Road) and follow signs for Tecate. There are only a couple signals after you get off the Corridor 2000 before the four-lane
free highway takes you past the factory area (Toyota de Baja California where Tacomas are made is along the road). You will have a few traffic lights
in Tecate... follow the many signs for the U.S. Border (Garita) to the east side of town, then turn north to the border fence and follow it back west
to the crossing.
Map may help visualize this:
Again, miles out of your direct way home, but driving and not waiting miles, usually.
[Edited on 1-9-2018 by David K]willardguy - 1-9-2018 at 01:19 PM
jump on the free road follow the signs to the airport, Otay crossing has been around 20 minutesDanO - 1-9-2018 at 01:54 PM
Here are some websites with actual data on wait times at various ports.
[Edited on 1-9-2018 by DanO]Udo - 1-9-2018 at 03:23 PM
I am one that crosses going south at Otay Mesa regularly. My Southbound crossing time is generally between 1-2:30 p.m. At that time there are almost
no cars crossing Northbound into the US.
That website now seems to be defunct. Does anyone know if similar info is available online now? I'm planning a trip over Presidents' Day weekend and
wondering whether it makes more sense to plan to cross back on Sunday or Monday (and via anywhere from San Ysidro to Tecate). I know the holiday
weekend (among other factors) would likely mean the reality doesn't match the averages, but figure it could still provide some helpful info if the
data is up to date. fandango - 1-19-2018 at 09:17 PM
Try this site:
Https://bwt.cbp.gov/
[Edited on 1-20-2018 by fandango]
Edited twice to correct website, sheesh.
[Edited on 1-20-2018 by fandango]woody with a view - 1-19-2018 at 09:35 PM
3 minutes. Estimated. mistahall - 1-20-2018 at 12:13 AM
Hunted around, but I don't see info on average wait times anywhere on the CBP site, fandango. To clarify, the sort of thing I'm looking for is data on
what a typical Sunday at 4pm in San Ysidro, or Monday at 7pm in Tecate, etc., is like. Not current wait times.
.
Thanks !
