BajaNomad

Northbound border crossing

phmilo - 10-25-2021 at 02:00 PM

We've pretty much got our southbound trip dialed in. But coming back, what is the best border crossing and options for overnighting? I assume it's the same prefreence for early, but I'm not enthusiastic about staying in the border towns.

We have a couple of regular passengers, so no sentri or ready lanes. I'm still thining overnight in San Felipe and then on the road at first light to Mexicali. Hopefully early enough to not have to wait hours and hours.

David K - 10-25-2021 at 02:13 PM

Going north to where?
If California Coastal, then Tecate is the winner... Open only 5 am-2 pm until Covid hours are dropped, maybe in November.
If California Desert and north, most like Mexicali East.
If Arizona or east of there, San Luis, Sonora is talked up.
Wait and get more feedback on these.

Generally, Mexicali East

John M - 10-25-2021 at 03:14 PM

You can see the overall trend, plus today's wait.

I searched "Border Wait Times" - It took me to the CBP website. There I selected passenger car and then the desired port of entry, in this case Calexico East

Construction at the west port of entry has caused some driving challenges.



The average wait time is in blue while today's wait times are the orange line.

Driving from San Felipe to the border line - figure 2 to 2.5 hours very early in the morning depending on how heavy your right foot is.

John M



[Edited on 10-25-2021 by John M]

Maderita - 10-25-2021 at 03:23 PM

Note that Tecate northbound closes at 4:00 pm on Saturday & Sunday. Be in line at least 2 hours earlier, if not 3 hours. The gate will be slammed shut precisely on the hour.

Also, if you have SENTRI and have a non-SENTRI passenger, it is a common practice to let the passenger(s) off 200m before the gate at Otay Mesa. It is either against the rules or frowned upon, yet many many people do that. The non-SENTRI passenger should have their personal items, shopping items, and documents with them as they enter the pedestrian line. Bulky items that may not be attributable to that specific passenger, such as a sleeping bag could probably remain in the vehicle. However the driver is responsible/liable for anything illegal in the vehicle.

Last night at Otay Mesa 9:00 PM, the SENTRI vehicle lane was 5 minutes, while the pedestrians had a very long line, unusually long. So that strategy may not have helped in that situation.

PaulW - 10-25-2021 at 03:23 PM

I have done them all and I like Mexicali East
Check the hours
Best time is 6-8AM regardless

Right lane entry is required without Ready or Sentri
Approach the entry to the border from the east not west. A cop will prevent you from making a left turn when coming from the west. The fix is keep going until you find a place to do a U turn. Early in the AM that means go all the way to the first traffic light.

Bob and Susan - 10-25-2021 at 03:45 PM

currently its dark until 730am

its 10 hours from mulege to mexicali
i stop 2 times for gas

the last 2 times i crossed it was a 2hour wait
(afternoon)

phmilo - 10-25-2021 at 04:00 PM

Heading to Washington state. Probably coming up 5
Mx5. Was also thinking Tecate might be good, but not sure where to stay the night before.

Edit: we won't be doing 10 hour days, more like 6-8 max. A few stops are fine
, but don't love the idea of overnight in mexicali.

[Edited on 10-25-2021 by phmilo]

If using I-5 from San Diego:

David K - 10-25-2021 at 04:32 PM

Stay in San Felipe the night before... fill up on fish tacos, sleep well, leave after breakfast.

Tecate is 3.5 hours from San Felipe (84 miles west of Mexicali).

Going north on Mex. #5, you will go under the Hwy. 2-D bridge, then make a U-turn at the first opening in the divided road, and then head back south on the 5 in order to get onto Mex. #2-D, heading west to Tecate.

A toll gate is reached soon. You avoid all of the Mexicali city traffic, or much of it. You will have two more tolls before Tecate.

A few miles outside of Tecate, you fork off (at Km. 117+) to the right, onto the free highway (Mex. #2). In 1.4 miles, past the factories, is a sign and signal for GARITA (border), to the right*. In 2.6 miles is the entrance to USA.

*A bathroom, market, and gas station is straight (0.4 mi.) ahead (ie don't turn right yet) if you need it before the border wait.

These three maps cover Hwy. 2 & 2-D:







[Edited on 10-25-2021 by David K]

mtgoat666 - 10-25-2021 at 05:01 PM

Take Mexicali west. Cross mid-day.

Never go to tecate, the line is unpredictable, and the extra drive time is significant.



mtgoat666 - 10-25-2021 at 05:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by phmilo  
Heading to Washington state. Probably coming up 5
Mx5. Was also thinking Tecate might be good, but not sure where to stay the night before.

Edit: we won't be doing 10 hour days, more like 6-8 max. A few stops are fine
, but don't love the idea of overnight in mexicali.

[Edited on 10-25-2021 by phmilo]


If you leave GN at sunrise, you will be at Mexicali west at about 1 or 2 in afternoon.

Alm - 10-25-2021 at 05:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  

its 10 hours from mulege to mexicali
i stop 2 times for gas

the last 2 times i crossed it was a 2hour wait
(afternoon)

Interesting. According to CBP website, at Calexico East there is zero wait after 2pm. And 1 hour at all other times, until 1pm. How can it be - 1 hour wait at 1pm and then suddenly zero after 2pm, no people at all?


[Edited on 10-26-2021 by Alm]

David K - 10-25-2021 at 07:09 PM

They close at 2, Covid hours! :light:

del mar - 10-25-2021 at 10:14 PM

The Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP in English) reported that as of November 8, the border port of the New Mexicali areas will open from 6 in the morning to 10 at night.

One day before, the same schedule will be applied at the Tecate

JZ - 10-26-2021 at 03:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by phmilo  
Heading to Washington state. Probably coming up 5
Mx5. Was also thinking Tecate might be good, but not sure where to stay the night before.

Edit: we won't be doing 10 hour days, more like 6-8 max. A few stops are fine
, but don't love the idea of overnight in mexicali.

[Edited on 10-25-2021 by phmilo]


Don't do Tecate. Mexicali East. Stay in San Felipe the night before.

Get Sentri so you don't have to deal with this on the future.

PaulW - 10-26-2021 at 04:43 AM

Andrade and Mexicali East 6AM to 10PM starting Nov 8
until then 6AM to 2PM.
== =
Quote: Originally posted by del mar  
The Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP in English) reported that as of November 8, the border port of the New Mexicali areas will open from 6 in the morning to 10 at night.

One day before, the same schedule will be applied at the Tecate

LaTijereta - 10-26-2021 at 05:37 AM

Great news about Tecate re-opening up their hours to 10pm..
Always had good crossing times later in the after 5pm crossing Northbound..

Alm - 10-27-2021 at 11:46 AM

First few days after November 8 it's going to be crazy, in general lanes of all Northbound crossings. Mexico probably don't have any form of vaccine passport yet.

Bob and Susan - 10-27-2021 at 12:37 PM

the border is open to mexican tourists....they only need proof of vaccine

its a madhouse on the north side again in the usa

lines are long NOW

mtgoat666 - 10-27-2021 at 01:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
the border is open to mexican tourists....they only need proof of vaccine

its a madhouse on the north side again in the usa

lines are long NOW


susan:
i dont think non-essential mexican visitors can enter with vaccine until November
i am not seeing a madhouse north of the border -- i think you are watching the wrong channel...

David K - 10-27-2021 at 01:20 PM

San Diego TV news has said Nov. 8 is when the new deal begins.

Bob and Susan - 10-27-2021 at 02:26 PM

well maybe you guys better go to the border and stop using your computer to travel

BajaMama - 10-28-2021 at 06:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by phmilo  
Heading to Washington state. Probably coming up 5
Mx5. Was also thinking Tecate might be good, but not sure where to stay the night before.

Edit: we won't be doing 10 hour days, more like 6-8 max. A few stops are fine
, but don't love the idea of overnight in mexicali.

[Edited on 10-25-2021 by phmilo]


Mex 5 is shortest, fastest way up. Stay the night in San Felipe. There are lots of chain hotels in El Centro, park near lobby doors. I suggest heading north past Salton Sea, less traffic and will eventually get you over to Highway 5. In any event, I like to stay east of the LA area.

[Edited on 10-28-2021 by BajaMama]

mtgoat666 - 10-30-2021 at 08:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
well maybe you guys better go to the border and stop using your computer to travel


Susan,
This is just for you. Found it on my travels in the internet!

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/10/29/fact-sheet-guidance-trav...

Bob and Susan - 10-30-2021 at 09:08 AM

traveling on the internet....sometimes...isn't reality

again you need to go to the area just north of the border and talk to people

rules are made to be broken

and...i read the rule too

JZ - 10-30-2021 at 10:25 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
well maybe you guys better go to the border and stop using your computer to travel


Susan,
This is just for you. Found it on my travels in the internet!

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/10/29/fact-sheet-guidance-trav...


You don't go to Baja.

Alm - 10-30-2021 at 06:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
traveling on the internet....sometimes...isn't reality

again you need to go to the area just north of the border and talk to people

rules are made to be broken

and...i read the rule too

CBP did allow some non-essential travellers all this time. I know of Canadians able to return from Mexico through some US crossings, it was not in Mexicali or Tecate. They had an excuse - transiting, returning home, were given a stern lecture for breaking the rule and then admitted. Isolated cases, not everybody got lucky. CBP agents don't want to lose their job, "rules are made to be broken" is not their favourite mantra.

bkbend - 11-1-2021 at 03:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John M  
You can see the overall trend, plus today's wait.

I searched "Border Wait Times" - It took me to the CBP website. There I selected passenger car and then the desired port of entry, in this case Calexico East

Construction at the west port of entry has caused some driving challenges.



The average wait time is in blue while today's wait times are the orange line.

Driving from San Felipe to the border line - figure 2 to 2.5 hours very early in the morning depending on how heavy your right foot is.

John M



[Edited on 10-25-2021 by John M]


The wait varies depending on who knows what. I crossed north at this crossing on 10/27 at 12:30pm in the regular line and pulled up to an empty booth. My lucky day! Last trip I was there at the same time, midweek, and had a 45 minute wait in line.

freediverbrian - 11-2-2021 at 08:18 PM

I crossed last Friday at Mexicali east about 8am with GE. The line was out to the entrance but it moved fast I was thru in 10 minutes.