Brownsville border crossing: wait times today, hours, lanes
Live CBP wait times for Brownsville (Brownsville, Texas ↔ Matamoros, Tamaulipas): vehicle, pedestrian and SENTRI lanes, hours, and what you need to cross. Upd
Brownsville–Matamoros, at the mouth of the Rio Grande Valley, is joined by four bridges: Gateway downtown for pedestrians, the historic B&M, Veterans International for most vehicles, and Los Indios toward Harlingen.
The table below shows the latest snapshot from CBP’s official Border Wait Times feed (refreshed daily). For minute-by-minute numbers, check bwt.cbp.gov or the official CBP Link app before you get in line.
Brownsville — GatewayOpen
Hours: 24 hrs/day
Lane
Wait
Lanes open
Updated
Passenger vehicles (standard)
5 min
2 of 5
At 5:00 pm CDT
Ready Lane (vehicles)
5 min
2 of 5
At 5:00 pm CDT
Pedestrians (standard)
5 min
1 of 4
At 5:00 pm CDT
Pedestrians (Ready Lane)
No delay
1 of 4
At 5:00 pm CDT
CBP notice: The Pedestrian Dedicated Lane is now operational at Gateway Bridge and may be used with a valid U.S. passport or SENTRI card.
Brownsville — B&MOpen
Hours: 24 hrs/day
Lane
Wait
Lanes open
Updated
Passenger vehicles (standard)
5 min
2 of 4
At 5:00 pm CDT
Ready Lane (vehicles)
5 min
2 of 4
At 5:00 pm CDT
Pedestrians (standard)
No delay
1 of 2
At 5:00 pm CDT
CBP notice: Pedestrian access closes at 10:00 PM and reopens at 6:00 AM, seven days a week.
Brownsville — Veterans InternationalOpen
Hours: 6 am-Midnight
Lane
Wait
Lanes open
Updated
Passenger vehicles (standard)
50 min
1 of 8
At 5:00 pm CDT
Ready Lane (vehicles)
50 min
2 of 8
At 5:00 pm CDT
SENTRI / NEXUS (vehicles)
5 min
1 of 8
At 5:00 pm CDT
Pedestrians (standard)
No delay
1 of 2
At 5:00 pm CDT
Commercial trucks (standard)
10 min
2 of 4
At 5:00 pm CDT
Commercial trucks (FAST)
Closed
—
—
Brownsville — Los IndiosOpen
Hours: 6 am-10 pm
Lane
Wait
Lanes open
Updated
Passenger vehicles (standard)
No delay
1 of 4
At 5:00 pm CDT
Ready Lane (vehicles)
No delay
1 of 4
At 5:00 pm CDT
Commercial trucks (standard)
5 min
1 of 4
At 5:00 pm CDT
Commercial trucks (FAST)
Closed
—
—
Data from CBP's official feed (snapshot 2026-09-09). Wait times change hour to hour —
verify live at bwt.cbp.gov.
The crossings at Brownsville
Crossing
What it is
Gateway (downtown)
Downtown 24-hour bridge — the main pedestrian crossing.
B&M
The oldest bridge (rail plus passenger vehicles), downtown, open 24 hours.
Veterans International (Los Tomates)
Main vehicle bridge east of downtown, with SENTRI lanes and commercial traffic.
Los Indios (Free Trade)
Free Trade Bridge near Harlingen and San Benito — passenger plus commercial.
Know before you cross
On foot: This port has a pedestrian crossing; the live table above shows the current wait on foot.
SENTRI / Ready Lane: SENTRI members get a dedicated vehicle lane here and the Ready Lane accepts RFID-chipped documents (passport card, green cards issued since 2010, border crossing cards). See lane types explained.
Documents: US citizens need a passport, passport card, or enhanced driver’s license; green-card holders show the green card; visa holders need passport + visa and should check their I-94 record after every entry. Full detail in the documents-to-cross guide.
If you live in the US without permanent status — DACA, TPS, a pending asylum case, or no status — leaving the country can permanently affect your case or block your return. Talk to an immigration attorney before any trip to Mexico. See traveling to your home country from the US and how to find an immigration attorney.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check the current border wait at Brownsville?+
This page embeds CBP’s latest snapshot for Gateway (downtown), B&M, Veterans International (Los Tomates), Los Indios (Free Trade), refreshed daily. For live minute-by-minute waits use bwt.cbp.gov or the CBP Link app — CBP updates most lanes every 15-60 minutes.
Can I cross on foot at Brownsville?+
Yes — this port has pedestrian lanes; the walking line shows in the live table on this page. Carry the same documents as drivers: passport, green card, or valid visa.
Does Brownsville have SENTRI lanes?+
Yes — SENTRI members use a dedicated vehicle lane at this crossing, usually the shortest wait. Program details are on the main border-crossings page.
Which Brownsville bridge should I use?+
On foot: Gateway, downtown, 24 hours. Driving: Veterans International has the most lanes (including SENTRI); B&M is a smaller downtown option; Los Indios is closest if you are coming from Harlingen or San Benito. Compare them in the live table above.
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.
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