mirko
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Best place for northbound crossing
I know this has been covered before guys, but it changes so often that I thought I would ask for opinions as my trip nears. I think many of us could
benefit.
Leaving for San Quintin on 3-30-13. Coming back on 4-3-13 (Wednesday). Coming back in a truck and small SUV, not towing anything. Shortest route
for us would be San Ysidro but considering Otay or Tecate as well. Leaning towards Tecate to save time, although the drive would be longer. Our
eventual destination is Orange County, straight up the 5 if San Ysidro or through Temecula if Tecate. Is Tecate really our best bet?
Lastly, All four of us just received our "Passport Cards". Is there a special lane for those? Are there special lanes at SY, Otay and Tecate? What
is the lane called. I keep reading "fast lane" and wondering if that is the lane for passport cards. Is the passport card of any benefit?
Sorry to be so lengthy.
Thank you all in advance.
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bajaguy
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Crossing info
with a Passport Card you can use the "Ready Lane".
Otay and San Ysidro have the Ready Lanes, Tecate does not.
Sometimes the Ready Lanes are quicker than a normal crossing, sometimes not.
Tecate is a great senic drive, but a longer trip. I suggest Otay or San Ysidro.....
It's all a craphoot, your mileage may vary.
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BajaNomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
I suggest Otay or San Ysidro.....
It's all a craphoot, your mileage may vary. |
Agreed.
According to historic data... Otay might be best on a Wednesday:
http://traffic.calit2.net/border/border-wait-times.php?type=...
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sancho
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On the San Diego sports station they give crossing
times during the day, how accurate they are? who knows.
Last Mon. around 2 pm San Ysidro was said to be 3 hrs.,
seems long for a weekday, yesterday Tues., about the same time was 1 hr. Otay seems to be maybe 1/3 less time
approx. Tecate is what, maybe 40 mi. + further,
I don't care for the added drive
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
Last Mon. around 2 pm San Ysidro was said to be 3 hrs.,
seems long for a weekday, yesterday Tues., about the same time was 1 hr. |
Last monday was Benny Juarez day in Mexico....a national holiday. If there was a reason for the long wait at 2PM, that may be it although it seems
long for that time of day going north, even on a holiday
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durrelllrobert
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If you cross at Otay take the Blvd 2000 exit off the TJ/ Ensenada toll road just N of Puerto Nuevo (well marked) and follow it to the Aerperto exit ,
then to the next light and get in the Ready Lane (well marked as San Diego). DO NOT TURN at the Gratia Otay sign by the tire shop as that will put you
in the regular (2-3 hour wait) lanes.
After crossing you will be on hgw 905 and take the first exit to get on the 125 toll road and follow it to Santee where you get on hgw 52 that crosses
I 15 just south of Miramar MCAS. From there you can just head N on I 5 to OC avoiding all of the SD traffic. Have a good trip.
Bob Durrell
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bajaguy
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Crossed S/B at Otay this afternoon at 6PM........Ready Lane looked like 30-45 minute wait, regular lanes were wide open and no line up
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mirko
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Boy, this throws me a real curve! Do you mean that the Passport Card that I finally got could actually be a hindrance on a day like today? Are you
saying that the regular lanes were faster than the ready lanes?
What's up with that?
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mirko
Boy, this throws me a real curve! Do you mean that the Passport Card that I finally got could actually be a hindrance on a day like today? Are you
saying that the regular lanes were faster than the ready lanes?
What's up with that? |
Yup, regular lanes this afternoon were faster than Ready Lanes.
Only way to find out which would be faster would be to head toward the SENTRI lane near the car wash, stop at D'Volada coffee and check out the lane
progress north of the overpass, then decide.
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