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Author: Subject: Best time to cross northbound at Mexicali east?
BoenBaja
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[*] posted on 2-7-2026 at 12:02 PM
Best time to cross northbound at Mexicali east?


I have to cross and reenter the US on Tuesday March 10. I will be meeting up with a caravan of 3 vehicles to guide them down to the La Paz clinic. I will be towing a boat to update the TIP so I won’t be able to use my Sentri pass. So I’m wondering what time in the morning is best to cross and where would be a meeting spot on the US side? We plan on camping at Papa Fernandez or Rancho Grande Tuesday night.
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BooJumMan
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[*] posted on 2-7-2026 at 04:20 PM


Most traffic will be heading north in the morning. If it were me I'd try and shoot around 6am and try to beat rush hour in Mexicali, or just wait til 9 or 10am.

For meeting up, there is a Speedway gas station with a lot of parking on the US side. Just right up the road from the crossing.




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David K
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[*] posted on 2-7-2026 at 06:05 PM


My preferred crossing is Tecate But, avoid weekends if possible and go north around noon to 4 pm if you want a window during the midweek.
Getting to the border early without driving in the dark would mean camping on the Rio Hardy. Rancho Mil is highly recommended. Leave at sunrise or whenever you think 30 minutes to the border will fit your needs.

[Edited on 2-8-2026 by David K]




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surfhat
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[*] posted on 2-9-2026 at 10:38 AM


Good tip David.

Last year my wait to cross north at Tecate had me pulling up to the border with barely a dozen cars ahead of me.

That was midmorning and midweek after a nice stay in the Valle.
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[*] posted on 2-9-2026 at 01:35 PM


Quote: Originally posted by surfhat  
Good tip David.

Last year my wait to cross north at Tecate had me pulling up to the border with barely a dozen cars ahead of me.

That was midmorning and midweek after a nice stay in the Valle.


The OP is towing a boat. I would avoid towing a boat up the mountain just to maybe save a few minutes in line…




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