Tecate, CA Border Wait Time
Mexico → US (Northbound entry)
Current wait
Passenger vehicles
- Standard150 min
- SENTRIN/A
- Ready LaneN/A
Commercial vehicles
- Standard5 min
- FASTN/A
Hours: 6 am-10 pm
Latest snapshot: 7/6/2026, 8:20:33 PM UTC
Best & worst times to cross
Typical wait times by day of week + hour, averaged from the last four weeks of data. Times are approximate local at the crossing.
Quietest
- Thu 5am–6am51 min avg
- Fri 7am–8am55 min avg
- Fri 8am–9am56 min avg
Busiest
- Sun 5pm–6pm246 min avg
- Sun 4pm–5pm245 min avg
- Sun 2pm–3pm240 min avg
Nearby crossings
- Otay Mesa, CA30 km away
- Otay Mesa, CA — Passenger30 km away
- Otay Mesa Port of Entry, CA30 km away
About this crossing
Tecate, CA is a US Customs and Border Protection port of entry on the Mexican border. Wait times shown are for travelers entering the United States. Numbers come directly from CBP and update roughly every hour while the port is staffed.
Frequently asked
Do I need a passport to cross at Tecate, CA?
Yes. US citizens need a passport, passport card, enhanced driver's license, or SENTRI card. Non-US citizens need a valid passport plus any required visa.
Are SENTRI lanes always faster?
SENTRI lanes are typically much faster than standard lanes, especially at peak times, but they can still see delays when traffic is heavy or when a few lanes are open. SENTRI provides expedited US entry for pre-approved low-risk travelers from Mexico. Apply at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov.
What hours is the Tecate crossing open?
6 am-10 pm. Hours are set by CBP and may change for holidays or staffing.
How often is this wait time updated?
CBP officers at each port update their reported wait time roughly every hour while the port is staffed. We re-poll the CBP feed every five minutes and cache the result for both speed and to be kind to the upstream feed.
Why is the wait time blank or "no data"?
CBP doesn't publish a number for that lane right now — usually because the port hasn't reported in over an hour, the lane is closed, or the port is idle. We show whatever CBP publishes without modification.