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SFandH
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Crossing at Tecate
I've never crossed at Tecate. Is the traffic predictable? I'm wondering what day of the week and time would be best (after 10 AM).
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Don Pisto
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predictable? I've experienced some of my looongest crossings and some of my shortest crossings there. I assume you're talking northbound?
there's only two things in life but I forget what they are........
John Hiatt
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SFandH
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yes, northbound.
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Howard
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The crossing is predictably unpredictable! As Don Pisto says, it's all over the board but my longest ever was maybe 1 1/2 hours and there has been
occasion where I drive right up to the kiosk.
Much better crossing than TJ as it is one line with no cutting in. The major problem is that occasionally the Churro stand is nowhere in sight.
It's the only place I cross northbound now.
[Edited on 6-1-2021 by Howard]
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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bajafreaks
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Doesn't it still close at 2:00 pm ? Thats to be considered as well.
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David K
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From no wait at all (Tue-Thu early afternoon) to a (one time) rare 5-hour wait in 2012 and another for 3 hrs. in 2008. On busy weekend times, 45 min
is typical to as much as 90 min.
The biggest reason (besides the shorter times) is the non-stress city traffic being so low at Tecate when compared to Tijuana or Mexicali. Two lanes
the whole distance compared to a dozen or more at the border all merging, is also a plus.
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Bob and Susan
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currently it closes at 2pm
sat 4pm
its supposed to open at 5am
sometimes they are late opening up to 7am
line is long ..i mean really long
average waits are 1 1/2 to 2 hours
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JZ
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Get Sentri and cross at Mexicali in 15 mins.
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SFandH
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Don't you think I know that?
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Don Jorge
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Tecate is not the easy crossing it is sometimes reputed to be. The crossing being closing northbound at 2 pm everyday and sometimes not being opened
until 7 am in the mornings as mentioned have made it worse than it was pre covid and it was bad before covid, usually. As others mentioned, it is a
crap shoot.
But, the best odds in that crap shoot are found Tuesday thru Thursday 10am till 2 pm. Sundays and Mondays don't even try Tecate unless you are
wiling to wait two, three or more hours.
With what is happening lately at the border regarding wait times for non sentri crossings there are no guaranteed short waits anywhere and Tecate can
be and is often worse than the other options.
�And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry
years. It was always that way.�― John Steinbeck
"All models are wrong, but some are useful." George E.P. Box
"Nature bats last." Doug "Hayduke" Peac-ck
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bajafreaks
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I think Mexicali is more consistent/predictable as far as wait times. Crossed northbound a week ago today got in line at 8:30am crossed in a little
over 1 hour no sentri or ready.
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SFandH
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Quote: Originally posted by bajafreaks  | | I think Mexicali is more consistent/predictable as far as wait times. Crossed northbound a week ago today got in line at 8:30am crossed in a little
over 1 hour no sentri or ready. |
I've never crossed at Mexicali. There are two crossings, right? I would be approaching Mexicali from the west in Baja, driving through Tecate. Which
Mexicali northbound crossing would I use? I'm starting out in Rosarito and my destination is Calexico. I suppose Otay is an option too. I'm just
looking for the least painful crossing. I'm totally flexible on day and time, except I don't want to drive after sundown.
[Edited on 6-2-2021 by SFandH]
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David K
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Do you have a cell phone with Google or Waze map/ direction apps? Compare the options, or look at them on your desktop PC and print out the
directions. Mexicali East would require you to drive across the city to get to, so that would make the West (or #1) Mexicali/ Calexico garita the
preferred one from where you are coming. If you are a regular Tijuana or Otay user, then that gives you the easy drive to Calexico on U.S. highways,
no tolls, no panic attacks! 
Whatever you choose, try and cross midday and midweek. Until the Covid thing is over, Tecate closes at 2 pm instead of the normal 11 pm.
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SFandH
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Thanks
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JZ
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | Do you have a cell phone with Google or Waze map/ direction apps? Compare the options, or look at them on your desktop PC and print out the
directions. Mexicali East would require you to drive across the city to get to, so that would make the West (or #1) Mexicali/ Calexico garita the
preferred one from where you are coming. If you are a regular Tijuana or Otay user, then that gives you the easy drive to Calexico on U.S. highways,
no tolls, no panic attacks!
Whatever you choose, try and cross midday and midweek. Until the Covid thing is over, Tecate closes at 2 pm instead of the normal 11 pm.
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Mexicali East is better going North. You can avoid the city traffic in Mexicali. Just head towards the airport. Google Maps will take you on back
roads with little traffic.
I'd do that over Tecate.
But again, get Sentri ppl. It avoids all this mess.
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bajafreaks
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I agree with JZ go East, but don't let Google maps direct you to Sentri or the Ready lanes.
West can be a cluster ####.
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HeyMulegeScott
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Check the weather before crossing in Mexicali. It's hotter than hell this time of the year. Tecate is much cooler.
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AKgringo
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Good point! The last time I crossed at Calexico, air conditioned restaurants were still off limits due to Covid19. Your choice, dine outdoors in
100+ heat, or in your car with the engine running for the AC!
Has anything changed lately?
[Edited on 6-2-2021 by AKgringo]
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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JZ
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | Last time we crossed at Mexicali, it was 108° and after a while the AC could not keep cool sitting in line... 1.5 hours, I think... miserable! That
was probably the July 2015 trip?
Tecate for the win, ever since (and most times before)!
In 2019, I was a passenger in Cameron Steele's new Raptor, and we went to Mexicali East (in May)... Wasn't too bad in the standard lanes when we
crossed. The Raptor has cooling (and heating) in the front seats! |
Why are you fighting getting Sentri? Why would you prefer sitting in 108 degree temps for hours instead of doing a 10 min interview with CBP?
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willardguy
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | Last time we crossed at Mexicali, it was 108° and after a while the AC could not keep cool sitting in line... 1.5 hours, I think... miserable! That
was probably the July 2015 trip?
Tecate for the win, ever since (and most times before)!
In 2019, I was a passenger in Cameron Steele's new Raptor, and we went to Mexicali East (in May)... Wasn't too bad in the standard lanes when we
crossed. The Raptor has cooling (and heating) in the front seats! |
Why are you fighting getting Sentri? Why would you prefer sitting in 108 degree temps for hours instead of doing a 10 min interview with CBP?
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I don't prefer that... and that is why we go to Tecate!
As it is, the last time I drove my truck south for a trip was 2018 and I don't know when it will be the next time.
I did a bunch of trips in 2016-2018 for the Baja Bound Guide/GPS collection, vacations and my 2016 Baja Extreme Tour. That's all in the past.
Frankly, unless something really amazing happens, I don't see a lot more camping trips for my wife and I... medical issues and such. It is a really
sad thought, but getting old really sucks. I will go down alone or with friends, but that is unknown and no reason at all to pay the cost, wait for
appointments, etc. just to save an hour or two, per year!
I am happy you love Sentri and think it's great for you and those who live on one side and work on the other, who cross frequently. That is what
Sentri was made for. I can use the Ready Lane if I don't go to Tecate, but I have seen longer lines in it, than the regular lanes!
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no explanation needed (again) David, its not for everyone.
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