absinvestor
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Tijuana border crossing
Heading up to the coast of Oregon in mid October. We have been using Tecate crossing which we like when going to Colorado but somewhat out of the way
when heading straight north. It has been 15 years since we've used Tijuana to cross. I know it will be busier but is it still a straight shot when
heading North? We will be driving a 33ft motorhome and towing a car. I can deal with the traffic if getting to the border crossing is simple. (I know
we are leaving the perfect fall weather in Baja but grandkids pull us out for the holidays!!)
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Bajahowodd
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If you don't wish to go through Tecate, and you don't have Sentri, you really ought to consider crossing at Otay. Exiting off the toll road may be a
bit dicey with your rig, but, after you head right on 2000, the rest of the trip is almost all freeway style.
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RnR
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Second on Otay.
There's almost a 100% chance that you are going to secondary. If the inspector can't see everything from his booth, (your towed car, inside your
MOHO's refrig, etc.), you're off to secondary.
Getting into secondary at San Ysidro with a large rig/trailer is difficult. They send you to the right against the flow of traffic. Otay is easier
to get to the secondary inspection area and the inspector's usually arrive faster.
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Pescador
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You either want to do Tecate or Otay. They have now closed down 6 lanes, at least, at TJ and the wait is terrible. Where we normally crossed in 30
minutes, the wait was at least two hours and really slow. You will be pulled into secondary which means you have to start out on the far left for the
RV lane and then go against all traffic to go complete right (across 24 lanes of traffic with 6 or 7 closed) and pull into secondary. If you were not
a serious drinking man before, you would be after that experience.
If you decide to go out at Tecate, then you can turn right and go to highway 8 and probably still get to San Diego in less time than crossing at
TJ.
I have not used Otay, (I am still trying to find it from the south) but the other posters here have more experience on that.
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Lee
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Since Tecate is more or less out of the way, Otay seems to be the best bet.
Don't go through San Ysidro with a MH.
David -- can you post a map and directions for this guy?
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Lee
Since Tecate is more or less out of the way, Otay seems to be the best bet.
Don't go through San Ysidro with a MH.
David -- can you post a map and directions for this guy? |
Me?
No matter where you are headed along the west coast, I will only recommend Tecate and not Otay Mesa... However, if you must torture yourself with a
mandatory 2 hour wait*, then use the Corredor 2000 from Hwy. 1 at Popotla, and at the end of the 2000, go west on 'Industrial' 5 miles to the Otay
Border Garita... well signed.
* Not seriously, but typical.
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durrelllrobert
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I second Otay especially when headed north. After you cross just get on Ca 125 north (toll road), cross over I 8 and continue down the hill to Santee
where it becomes CA 57. Go west to I 15 which gets you just south of Miramar or continue a little further west to I 5 which gets you just north of
Pacific Beach. Either way you miss all the SD trafic and cut at least 30 minutes off your travel time.
Bob Durrell
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Dave
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Will they let MoHo's use the truck (left) lane at Tecate?
If so, you would have zero wait and making back westerly would be quicker than either SY or Otay.
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J.P.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
Will they let MoHo's use the truck (left) lane at Tecate?
If so, you would have zero wait and making back westerly would be quicker than either SY or Otay. |
When you go through Tecate in a MH. keep to the left booth so you can turn into secondary. I used to go through Tijuna in a 36'mh pulling a toad but
not since they went crazy.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
Will they let MoHo's use the truck (left) lane at Tecate?
If so, you would have zero wait and making back westerly would be quicker than either SY or Otay. |
No way, although with a MoHo of good length, it's advised to use the left of the two gates as there's more room to make the tight, right turn when you
exit the inspection booth. the guard has assured me that a 35 footer can do it with good driving skills.
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absinvestor
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Thanks for the great info. Since I'm familar with Tecate guess I'll exit there. We usually end up in secondary (dog food or something!!) so it looks
like timewise and worry wise Tecate is my best bet. Thanks for the advice. Ron
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bajaguy
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Toll???
| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I second Otay especially when headed north. After you cross just get on Ca 125 north (toll road), cross over I 8 and continue down the hill to Santee
where it becomes CA 57. Go west to I 15 which gets you just south of Miramar or continue a little further west to I 5 which gets you just north of
Pacific Beach. Either way you miss all the SD trafic and cut at least 30 minutes off your travel time. |
Bob....what's the toll for the 125 from Otay to the 57????
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J.P.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I second Otay especially when headed north. After you cross just get on Ca 125 north (toll road), cross over I 8 and continue down the hill to Santee
where it becomes CA 57. Go west to I 15 which gets you just south of Miramar or continue a little further west to I 5 which gets you just north of
Pacific Beach. Either way you miss all the SD trafic and cut at least 30 minutes off your travel time. |
I am not bob but the toll is around 3.50 for a car
Bob....what's the toll for the 125 from Otay to the 57???? |
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