BajaNomad

Crossing at Tecate

SFandH - 6-1-2021 at 02:16 PM

I've never crossed at Tecate. Is the traffic predictable? I'm wondering what day of the week and time would be best (after 10 AM).

Don Pisto - 6-1-2021 at 02:26 PM

predictable? I've experienced some of my looongest crossings and some of my shortest crossings there. I assume you're talking northbound?

SFandH - 6-1-2021 at 02:31 PM

yes, northbound.

Howard - 6-1-2021 at 02:32 PM

The crossing is predictably unpredictable! As Don Pisto says, it's all over the board but my longest ever was maybe 1 1/2 hours and there has been occasion where I drive right up to the kiosk.

Much better crossing than TJ as it is one line with no cutting in. The major problem is that occasionally the Churro stand is nowhere in sight.

It's the only place I cross northbound now.

[Edited on 6-1-2021 by Howard]

bajafreaks - 6-1-2021 at 02:57 PM

Doesn't it still close at 2:00 pm ? Thats to be considered as well.

David K - 6-1-2021 at 02:57 PM

From no wait at all (Tue-Thu early afternoon) to a (one time) rare 5-hour wait in 2012 and another for 3 hrs. in 2008. On busy weekend times, 45 min is typical to as much as 90 min.

The biggest reason (besides the shorter times) is the non-stress city traffic being so low at Tecate when compared to Tijuana or Mexicali. Two lanes the whole distance compared to a dozen or more at the border all merging, is also a plus.

Bob and Susan - 6-1-2021 at 03:00 PM

currently it closes at 2pm
sat 4pm

its supposed to open at 5am
sometimes they are late opening up to 7am

line is long ..i mean really long
average waits are 1 1/2 to 2 hours

JZ - 6-1-2021 at 03:47 PM

Get Sentri and cross at Mexicali in 15 mins.

SFandH - 6-1-2021 at 04:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Get Sentri and cross at Mexicali in 15 mins.



Don't you think I know that?

Don Jorge - 6-1-2021 at 04:51 PM

Tecate is not the easy crossing it is sometimes reputed to be. The crossing being closing northbound at 2 pm everyday and sometimes not being opened until 7 am in the mornings as mentioned have made it worse than it was pre covid and it was bad before covid, usually. As others mentioned, it is a crap shoot.

But, the best odds in that crap shoot are found Tuesday thru Thursday 10am till 2 pm. Sundays and Mondays don't even try Tecate unless you are wiling to wait two, three or more hours.

With what is happening lately at the border regarding wait times for non sentri crossings there are no guaranteed short waits anywhere and Tecate can be and is often worse than the other options.

bajafreaks - 6-2-2021 at 07:02 AM

I think Mexicali is more consistent/predictable as far as wait times. Crossed northbound a week ago today got in line at 8:30am crossed in a little over 1 hour no sentri or ready.

SFandH - 6-2-2021 at 08:35 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajafreaks  
I think Mexicali is more consistent/predictable as far as wait times. Crossed northbound a week ago today got in line at 8:30am crossed in a little over 1 hour no sentri or ready.


I've never crossed at Mexicali. There are two crossings, right? I would be approaching Mexicali from the west in Baja, driving through Tecate. Which Mexicali northbound crossing would I use? I'm starting out in Rosarito and my destination is Calexico. I suppose Otay is an option too. I'm just looking for the least painful crossing. I'm totally flexible on day and time, except I don't want to drive after sundown.



[Edited on 6-2-2021 by SFandH]

David K - 6-2-2021 at 09:24 AM

Do you have a cell phone with Google or Waze map/ direction apps? Compare the options, or look at them on your desktop PC and print out the directions. Mexicali East would require you to drive across the city to get to, so that would make the West (or #1) Mexicali/ Calexico garita the preferred one from where you are coming. If you are a regular Tijuana or Otay user, then that gives you the easy drive to Calexico on U.S. highways, no tolls, no panic attacks! ;)

Whatever you choose, try and cross midday and midweek. Until the Covid thing is over, Tecate closes at 2 pm instead of the normal 11 pm.

SFandH - 6-2-2021 at 10:07 AM

Thanks

JZ - 6-2-2021 at 10:25 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Do you have a cell phone with Google or Waze map/ direction apps? Compare the options, or look at them on your desktop PC and print out the directions. Mexicali East would require you to drive across the city to get to, so that would make the West (or #1) Mexicali/ Calexico garita the preferred one from where you are coming. If you are a regular Tijuana or Otay user, then that gives you the easy drive to Calexico on U.S. highways, no tolls, no panic attacks! ;)

Whatever you choose, try and cross midday and midweek. Until the Covid thing is over, Tecate closes at 2 pm instead of the normal 11 pm.


Mexicali East is better going North. You can avoid the city traffic in Mexicali. Just head towards the airport. Google Maps will take you on back roads with little traffic.

I'd do that over Tecate.

But again, get Sentri ppl. It avoids all this mess.

bajafreaks - 6-2-2021 at 01:21 PM

I agree with JZ go East, but don't let Google maps direct you to Sentri or the Ready lanes.
West can be a cluster ####.

HeyMulegeScott - 6-2-2021 at 03:05 PM

Check the weather before crossing in Mexicali. It's hotter than hell this time of the year. Tecate is much cooler.

AKgringo - 6-2-2021 at 04:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by HeyMulegeScott  
Check the weather before crossing in Mexicali. It's hotter than hell this time of the year. Tecate is much cooler.


Good point! The last time I crossed at Calexico, air conditioned restaurants were still off limits due to Covid19. Your choice, dine outdoors in 100+ heat, or in your car with the engine running for the AC!

Has anything changed lately?

[Edited on 6-2-2021 by AKgringo]

JZ - 6-2-2021 at 04:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Last time we crossed at Mexicali, it was 108° and after a while the AC could not keep cool sitting in line... 1.5 hours, I think... miserable! That was probably the July 2015 trip?

Tecate for the win, ever since (and most times before)!
In 2019, I was a passenger in Cameron Steele's new Raptor, and we went to Mexicali East (in May)... Wasn't too bad in the standard lanes when we crossed. The Raptor has cooling (and heating) in the front seats!


Why are you fighting getting Sentri? Why would you prefer sitting in 108 degree temps for hours instead of doing a 10 min interview with CBP?

willardguy - 6-2-2021 at 05:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Last time we crossed at Mexicali, it was 108° and after a while the AC could not keep cool sitting in line... 1.5 hours, I think... miserable! That was probably the July 2015 trip?

Tecate for the win, ever since (and most times before)!
In 2019, I was a passenger in Cameron Steele's new Raptor, and we went to Mexicali East (in May)... Wasn't too bad in the standard lanes when we crossed. The Raptor has cooling (and heating) in the front seats!


Why are you fighting getting Sentri? Why would you prefer sitting in 108 degree temps for hours instead of doing a 10 min interview with CBP?



I don't prefer that... and that is why we go to Tecate!

As it is, the last time I drove my truck south for a trip was 2018 and I don't know when it will be the next time.
I did a bunch of trips in 2016-2018 for the Baja Bound Guide/GPS collection, vacations and my 2016 Baja Extreme Tour. That's all in the past.
Frankly, unless something really amazing happens, I don't see a lot more camping trips for my wife and I... medical issues and such. It is a really sad thought, but getting old really sucks. I will go down alone or with friends, but that is unknown and no reason at all to pay the cost, wait for appointments, etc. just to save an hour or two, per year!
I am happy you love Sentri and think it's great for you and those who live on one side and work on the other, who cross frequently. That is what Sentri was made for. I can use the Ready Lane if I don't go to Tecate, but I have seen longer lines in it, than the regular lanes!


no explanation needed (again) David, its not for everyone.

Ateo - 6-2-2021 at 07:34 PM

JZ...you must remember that not ALL people can pass the Sentri background check. Some people have criminal records or unpaid parking tickets! Ha ha.

Don Pisto - 6-3-2021 at 09:47 AM

here's a new deal, renew by zoom......

https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-intr...

JZ - 6-3-2021 at 09:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
here's a new deal, renew by zoom......

https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-intr...


That's cool. And surprising.

Don Pisto - 6-3-2021 at 12:34 PM

TalkBaja crosser reporting a 10 minute wait at Tecate yesterday 9:15am yesterday :P......ymmv

SFandH - 6-4-2021 at 07:18 AM

Does anybody have a good guess at what the northbound wait will be at the Tecate crossing this Sunday morning?

The link below says the crossing opens at 8 AM on weekends. I can get there earlier.

https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/cbp-change-...

JZ - 6-4-2021 at 07:53 AM

Cross at 10am on Monday.

First rule of MX border crossing: Never cross North on a Sunday unless Monday is a holiday.

Don Jorge - 6-4-2021 at 04:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Does anybody have a good guess at what the northbound wait will be at the Tecate crossing this Sunday morning?

I will guess, but if it is a good guess, beats me? Ninety minutes.

If you are in Rosarito why not cross at San Ysidro? Save driving time and as border is still closed to Mexican visa holders and there is less work traffic on Sunday mornings my other guess is you would be better off crossing at San Ysidro.

Either way good luck.

SFandH - 6-4-2021 at 04:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Jorge  
Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Does anybody have a good guess at what the northbound wait will be at the Tecate crossing this Sunday morning?

I will guess, but if it is a good guess, beats me? Ninety minutes.

If you are in Rosarito why not cross at San Ysidro? Save driving time and as border is still closed to Mexican visa holders and there is less work traffic on Sunday mornings my other guess is you would be better off crossing at San Ysidro.

Either way good luck.


Thanks for the reply.

I've decided to cross at San Ysidro at zero dark thirty Sunday morning. I need to be in Calexico early Monday morning. I'll do some shopping in San Diego Sunday morning and then head to Calexico.

[Edited on 6-4-2021 by SFandH]

Ateo - 6-6-2021 at 08:56 AM

Have a good time today in the good old USA SF&H.

I was down dropping someone at the aeropuerto in TJ today and thought of this thread. Let us know what your crossing time came in at so we can add it to our professional (and never opinionated) database here at Baja Nomad! Haha.

SFandH - 6-6-2021 at 02:22 PM

I got in the San Ysidro Ready Lanes at 5:30 this (Sunday) morning.

30 minutes later I was on Interstate 5.

I don't cross very often and I always stress out about it. Today was a pleasant surprise.