Observe the U.S. Customs & Border Protection border wait times for estimates on how long crossings take.
Every person in your party must carry a WHTI-compliant document such as a valid passport, a SENTRI card, or equivalent. That is a U.S. regulation for returning from Mexico. Mexico does not require a passport or visa for visits under seven days.
If you are a lawful permanent U.S. resident (Green Card holder), showing your Green Card at the border is sufficient. You do not have to present a passport, though having a secondary photo ID or passport is wise.
If everyone in your vehicle has passports or SENTRI/NEXUS/Passport cards with the electronic chip, you may use the REDI lanes at the border for faster crossing. That can cut wait times considerably, especially on busy weekends.
You may purchase automobile insurance for your return trip in town (for example, at the Linda Bilyeu agency at El Capitan Motel).
Border crossing times have increased recently. Expect at least 60 minutes during quiet periods (midweek afternoons) and 2 to 3 hours on weekends.
Most travelers drive north from San Felipe to Mexicali (about two and a half hours), then cross into the U.S. via either the Rio Nuevo (downtown) port of entry or the “East” crossing toward the Mexicali airport which connects to California Route 98 east of Calexico.
The Rio Nuevo crossing is often chaotic unless everyone in your party holds a SENTRI card. We recommend using the East Crossing. The East crossing lies about 6 miles east of Mexicali. Proceed north in Mexicali, turn right before the border fence (on Avenida Argentina), and you will see the port of entry facilities on your left. That crossing is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. It includes a SENTRI lane and a READY lane (for cars where every occupant has a Passport card or RFID-enabled passport). Vehicles using those lanes enter Route 98 east of Calexico. A road from the crossing leads north to Interstate 8, allowing you to skip downtown Calexico traffic. At full working hours, typical waits at the East crossing hover around 60 minutes.
You can call 001-760-768-2383 from your cell for recorded crossing times for the Mexicali-Calexico ports of entry (English / Spanish). A Mexicali-only line (dial 700-7000) updates every 15 minutes.
You may bring back up to $400 in goods per person and one liter of liquor (including beer). Many fresh fruits and uncooked meats are restricted. Handcrafted art is allowed duty-free if not in commercial quantities.
You may choose to continue via Ensenada to Tijuana, then cross into California. Border wait times at San Ysidro or Otay Mesa have improved. At nonpeak hours (midmorning to midafternoon), waits may run around 15 minutes, down from hours in the past. Both crossings support SENTRI and READY lanes.
The Tecate crossing offers a quieter border experience. From Mexicali you can use the east-west toll road (Libramiento) near km 13, then cross into Tecate. The port is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tecate does not have a SENTRI lane.
If you pass through Tecate, you may explore the town or visit the Tecate brewery before crossing out. When approaching from Mexicali, access the border road from the east side of Tecate. If you drive into downtown Tecate, you must return to reach the crossing road.
The U.S. operates fast crossing lanes (SENTRI) at many ports of entry for approved travelers. When conditions allow, SENTRI lanes process passengers in 5 to 10 minutes.
Applicants must undergo a background check and in-person interview. The fee is around $122 per person for 5 years. Family plans cost about $260 and also last five years. Possessing a SENTRI pass allows you to use sentinel lanes at crossings such as San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Calexico East and West, San Luis (AZ), Nogales (AZ), and the Texas crossings.
If even one passenger in your vehicle lacks an approved document, you must use regular lanes.