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We're driving to San Quintin next month, and are thinking about crossing in Tecate. I'm looking for some advice on if that's a good idea, and if so, whether to take Hwy 2 or 3 over to Hwy 1. Anyone have a favorite? Or a warning?
Thank you for your help!!

We always (well about 98% of the time) cross at Otay and take Blvd 2000 south to the toll road.

Originally Posted by Teniente

We always (well about 98% of the time) cross at Otay and take Blvd 2000 south to the toll road.

thank you! Can an idiot (me) find his way through TJ and onto the toll road without wandering for days?

If one needs to obtain the FMM when crossing, it is far more convenient to cross at San Ysidro, as the bank is just a couple of doors down from the IMM office. Crossing there allows you to turn onto the "fence road" and head on up to the toll road out by Playas. I did note that someone had posted there was some construction going on in that area, and would hope thgat someone with recent experience on that route could chime in here.

Originally Posted by Islander

thank you! Can an idiot (me) find his way through TJ and onto the toll road without wandering for days?

I'll send you a PM

Also, you can get your FMM and pay for it there at the Otay Port of Entry.......easy-squeezy

Message received, thank you very much!!

Everything is so well signed that only a blind person couldn't find the road to Ensenada... The toll road is called 'Scenic Road' btw.

1) Tijuana to Ensenada: Hwy. 1-D (toll) 'Scenic Road'... signs to look for say 'Playas, Rosarito, Ensenada'

2) Otay to Ensenada: Hwy. 201 (free) 'Corredor 2000'... signs first for Tecate Cuota, then for Popotla, Rosarito, Ensenada, Corredor 2000. Takes you to the free road on the coast... go south on it to Ensenada or pop onto the toll road at Cantamar, or 2 other on-ramps before La Mision where the free road goes inland.

3) Tecate to Ensenada: Hwy. 3 (free)... come down the hill from the border 2 long blocks to the main east/west street across from the park, turn left, go to the far corner of the park and turn right for Ensenada.

Having folks under estimate my path finding ability has never been a problem for me, at least not the second time they ride with me!

I know the route from SanYsidro to San Quintin, it was finding the entrance to the Immigration office that threw me last time, I was just in the wrong lane and wasn't going to try and get across 4 rows to get there.Now that I know I need to go into the lane for those with Declarations I'm good to go.

Thank you all for your patient help!

We just reached San Diego after an all too short visit. We crossed in Tecate and used Hwy 3 from Ensenada. There is a lot of construction, but we had only a few minutes delay. I can see how at different times the hold-ups could be significant, but it worked well for us. About a 30 minute wait at the border.
A beautiful drive through beautiful country.
Our friends live just off Hwy 94 in La Mesa, so the Tecate route made sense for us.
About an hour from Hwy 1 to Tecate.

Great!!

Glad to hear that you guys made it without getting lost. Even with construction delays, making it to Tecate in an hour is good time. I am stuck on the old coastal highway route, probably mostly out of habit but will definitely make a point to try this one next time.

Is the Tecate crossing open 24 hours?

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

Glad to hear that you guys made it without getting lost. Even with construction delays, making it to Tecate in an hour is good time. I am stuck on the old coastal highway route, probably mostly out of habit but will definitely make a point to try this one next time.

Is the Tecate crossing open 24 hours?

No. closed 11pm-5am last I saw...

We most always cross at Tecate , when traffic is bad it never takes more than 1hour, couple of real good places to eat breakfast and usually we have to go to east county anyway. Since construction began we go up blvd 2,000 and across the free road to Tecate easy relaxing trip.