Tecate is a small mountain crossing on State Route 188, about 40 miles east of San Diego — a quiet alternative to San Ysidro and Otay Mesa for travelers headed to eastern Tijuana or the Ruta del Vino.
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.
Data from CBP's official feed (snapshot 2026-10-25). Wait times change hour to hour — verify live at bwt.cbp.gov.
CBP port office (official directory)
CBP’s port directory entry for Tecate - Class A, California - 2505 (page last modified September 23, 2025; checked October 15, 2026) lists port code 2505, a port office at 405 Tecate Rd, Tecate, CA 91980, and the main phone +1 619-938-8330. It places the port under CBP’s San Diego field office. The same entry lists these facilities with their own phone numbers: Pedestrian/Passenger Vehicle, (619) 938-8330; Cargo Trucks, (619) 938-8345.
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: No SENTRI or Ready Lane at this crossing — everyone uses the standard lanes. See lane types explained.
- Documents: US citizens need a passport, passport card, enhanced driver’s license, or trusted traveler card (SENTRI, NEXUS or FAST); 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.