BajaNomad

Wisdom of trying to cross to states at Mexicali on 1/31?

eguillermo - 12-30-2021 at 02:11 PM

Anyone have experience or knowledge of what the border traffic tends to look like on the New Year's Eve holiday?

I'm imagining it might be pretty bad, but as usual I don't have much idea what I'm talking about :).

I do have a Global Entry card, and I'd likely arrive at the border right around sunset. Would it be crazy busy, or am I overthinking it?

Gracias!!

David K - 12-30-2021 at 02:32 PM

12/31 is New Years Eve and I have typically already been across the border on that day. Since you seem to have an option to not cross then, why not wait to a normal day? Let us know how it goes for you! :light:

[Edited on 12-30-2021 by David K]

JZ - 12-30-2021 at 02:55 PM

If you mean New Years Eve, I think you'd be very good even w/o Sentri.

With Sentri, piece of cake.




[Edited on 12-30-2021 by JZ]

Bob and Susan - 12-30-2021 at 02:56 PM

i would go...no one is going to Calexico for new years eve...
they will go the other way

sunday will be much worse...got to get to work on monday

eguillermo - 12-30-2021 at 03:02 PM

All sounds very sensible nomads!

If I get up early enough tomorrow, I'll go for it :)

bajapedro - 12-30-2021 at 04:55 PM

Did it a couple yrs ago. Got to border (East) Maybe 5 cars in line. Light traffic in Mexicali as well.

John Harper - 12-31-2021 at 10:13 AM

I just came back from Campo Lopez (K55) this morning. Went SY regular lanes, got to line at 7:06, through before 7:30. Home by 8:15. Got my teeth cleaned, had a nice meal, and a few margaritas. Overnight at my roommates place and left at 6:00 AM. Does not look like it rained much, but truck bed did have some water.

Very light traffic on the toll road, almost no one. Kept my speed down cause don't want to be a sitting duck for the popo. Light misty rain near TJ, another reason to just drive mellow today. End the year on a good note!

John

[Edited on 12-31-2021 by John Harper]

eguillermo - 12-31-2021 at 06:00 PM

Yup, that was hands-down my easiest crossing yet. Straight to Sentri lane, no wait at all, I brought four Tecate lights when you're only supposed to have three, but live & learn. The guy was reasonable about it and let me keep my beer :)

JZ - 1-1-2022 at 09:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by eguillermo  
Yup, that was hands-down my easiest crossing yet. Straight to Sentri lane, no wait at all, I brought four Tecate lights when you're only supposed to have three, but live & learn. The guy was reasonable about it and let me keep my beer :)


Thanks for letting us know. It's always good to see how the board's advice pans out.

phmilo - 1-6-2022 at 10:12 PM

We crossed through on Jan 1 at about 8:00am. I think there was 2 cars ahead of us. Easy.

New Years Eve in Mexicali was a hoot as well. A pretty good crowd was still going as we rolled out at 7:30.