Live border wait times
Northbound (returning to the U.S.) passenger-vehicle waits, live from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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These are the official wait times published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. CBP refreshes its feed through the day (the reported time is shown on the hour) and can pause updates overnight – so if the reported date above is not today, those crossings have not been re-measured since. Southbound crossings into Mexico are generally not metered.
Nothing resets a road trip like rolling up to a crossing that’s already closed for the night. In the San Diego area the gates keep different clocks: San Ysidro never sleeps, Otay Mesa runs generous but not endless hours, and little Tecate locks up well before midnight. Knowing which gate is awake when you arrive is the difference between a smooth entry and a long detour in the dark. Here’s how the hours stack up.
Not every border crossing is open around the clock. If you are crossing early or late, here are the hours for San Diego’s three ports of entry so you do not arrive to a closed gate.
San Ysidro hours
San Ysidro never closes for passenger vehicles – it is open 24/7 in both directions. That makes it the safe choice for overnight trips, very early starts, or late returns. (Our drive-through insurance office at the last exit before the border is also open 24/7, so you can get covered any time.)
Otay Mesa hours
Otay Mesa’s passenger vehicle lanes typically run from the early morning until late at night rather than 24 hours, with commercial cargo lanes on a separate schedule. If you plan to cross at Otay Mesa outside normal daytime hours, check the current schedule first.
Tecate hours
Tecate has the most limited hours of the three, generally operating from early morning to late evening. Because it is a smaller, rural crossing, do not count on it overnight – if your timing is uncertain, San Ysidro is the reliable fallback.
Always verify before you go
Hours can change for holidays, construction, or staffing. US Customs and Border Protection lists current port-of-entry hours on its website. Check it alongside the live wait times when you plan your crossing.
Get Mexican auto insurance in minutes – a fast online quote means you are covered before you reach the border.
Related guides
- San Ysidro vs Otay Mesa vs Tecate: which crossing to use
- Border wait times explained (and how to check them live)
- What to bring to cross the border by car (checklist)
- San Ysidro: open 24/7 for passenger vehicles – your safe bet for late or odd hours.
- Otay Mesa: passenger lanes run early morning to late night; confirm current hours before a midnight run.
- Tecate: closes in the evening – cross before nightfall or reroute to a 24-hour gate.
- Plan the return: U.S.-bound hours can differ from southbound – check both directions.
- Documents ready: have passports out before you reach the booth to keep things moving.
- Local tip: arriving late? Default to San Ysidro – it’s always open and always staffed.
Frequently asked questions
Is the San Ysidro border crossing open 24 hours?
Yes. San Ysidro is open to passenger vehicles 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in both directions.
What time does Otay Mesa border close?
Otay Mesa’s passenger lanes generally run from early morning until late at night rather than 24 hours. Confirm current hours with CBP, as they can change.
Which San Diego border crossing is open latest?
San Ysidro – it is open 24/7. Otay Mesa and Tecate both have more limited hours, so San Ysidro is the choice for overnight or very late crossings.