When is the best time to cross at Otay?
For drivers at Otay, the General lane typically takes about 1 hr 56 min at 1 p.m. on weekdays and about 44 min at 5 a.m. on weekends, based on official CBP data from the last 120 days analyzed by LineaHoy.
For pedestrians at Otay, the General lane typically takes about 53 min at 6 a.m. on weekdays and about 3 min at 5 a.m. on weekends, based on official CBP data from the last 120 days analyzed by LineaHoy.
Typical northbound wait times by hour (Tijuana time), averaged separately for weekdays (Mon–Fri) and weekends (Sat–Sun), based on the last 120 days of CBP data. Lanes without data aren't shown.
🚗 Driving · Vehicle crossing
General
- Fastest on weekdays: 11 p.m. (~43 min), 10 p.m. (~44 min) and 9 p.m. (~55 min).
- Busiest on weekdays: 1 p.m. (~1 hr 56 min), 3 p.m. (~1 hr 55 min) and 4 p.m. (~1 hr 54 min).
- Fastest on weekends: 5 a.m. (~44 min), 6 a.m. (~1 hr 5 min) and 7 a.m. (~1 hr 5 min).
- Busiest on weekends: 6 p.m. (~2 hr 42 min), 7 p.m. (~2 hr 42 min) and 8 p.m. (~2 hr 42 min).
Ready Lane
- Fastest on weekdays: 11 p.m. (~39 min), 10 p.m. (~43 min) and 9 p.m. (~51 min).
- Busiest on weekdays: noon (~1 hr 48 min), 2 p.m. (~1 hr 48 min) and 1 p.m. (~1 hr 47 min).
- Fastest on weekends: 5 a.m. (~41 min), 6 a.m. (~50 min) and 7 a.m. (~1 hr).
- Busiest on weekends: 7 p.m. (~2 hr 31 min), 5 p.m. (~2 hr 27 min) and 6 p.m. (~2 hr 26 min).
SENTRI/Global Entry
- Fastest on weekdays: 10 p.m. (~5 min), 11 p.m. (~5 min) and 9 p.m. (~7 min).
- Busiest on weekdays: 8 a.m. (~25 min), 9 a.m. (~25 min) and 10 a.m. (~24 min).
- Fastest on weekends: 5 a.m. (~5 min), 6 a.m. (~7 min) and 11 p.m. (~13 min).
- Busiest on weekends: 5 p.m. (~40 min), 4 p.m. (~38 min) and 3 p.m. (~30 min).
Typical wait by hour (5 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
| Hour | General | Ready Lane | SENTRI/Global Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 a.m. | 1 hr 27 min | 1 hr 20 min | 15 min |
| 6 a.m. | 1 hr 34 min | 1 hr 24 min | 17 min |
| 7 a.m. | 1 hr 36 min | 1 hr 36 min | 23 min |
| 8 a.m. | 1 hr 39 min | 1 hr 43 min | 25 min |
| 9 a.m. | 1 hr 47 min | 1 hr 43 min | 25 min |
| 10 a.m. | 1 hr 51 min | 1 hr 44 min | 24 min |
| 11 a.m. | 1 hr 47 min | 1 hr 40 min | 22 min |
| noon | 1 hr 53 min | 1 hr 48 min | 22 min |
| 1 p.m. | 1 hr 56 min | 1 hr 47 min | 21 min |
| 2 p.m. | 1 hr 53 min | 1 hr 48 min | 22 min |
| 3 p.m. | 1 hr 55 min | 1 hr 47 min | 24 min |
| 4 p.m. | 1 hr 54 min | 1 hr 42 min | 21 min |
| 5 p.m. | 1 hr 45 min | 1 hr 39 min | 18 min |
| 6 p.m. | 1 hr 35 min | 1 hr 28 min | 16 min |
| 7 p.m. | 1 hr 27 min | 1 hr 20 min | 17 min |
| 8 p.m. | 1 hr 11 min | 1 hr 14 min | 13 min |
| 9 p.m. | 55 min | 51 min | 7 min |
| 10 p.m. | 44 min | 43 min | 5 min |
| 11 p.m. | 43 min | 39 min | 5 min |
| Hour | General | Ready Lane | SENTRI/Global Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 a.m. | 44 min | 41 min | 5 min |
| 6 a.m. | 1 hr 5 min | 50 min | 7 min |
| 7 a.m. | 1 hr 5 min | 1 hr | 14 min |
| 8 a.m. | 1 hr 15 min | 1 hr 8 min | 15 min |
| 9 a.m. | 1 hr 30 min | 1 hr 30 min | 20 min |
| 10 a.m. | 1 hr 34 min | 1 hr 35 min | 24 min |
| 11 a.m. | 1 hr 42 min | 1 hr 41 min | 25 min |
| noon | 1 hr 44 min | 1 hr 50 min | 28 min |
| 1 p.m. | 1 hr 55 min | 1 hr 58 min | 27 min |
| 2 p.m. | 1 hr 57 min | 1 hr 59 min | 28 min |
| 3 p.m. | 2 hr 11 min | 2 hr 8 min | 30 min |
| 4 p.m. | 2 hr 31 min | 2 hr 21 min | 38 min |
| 5 p.m. | 2 hr 32 min | 2 hr 27 min | 40 min |
| 6 p.m. | 2 hr 42 min | 2 hr 26 min | 30 min |
| 7 p.m. | 2 hr 42 min | 2 hr 31 min | 25 min |
| 8 p.m. | 2 hr 42 min | 2 hr 24 min | 22 min |
| 9 p.m. | 2 hr 31 min | 2 hr 18 min | 18 min |
| 10 p.m. | 2 hr 29 min | 2 hr 18 min | 19 min |
| 11 p.m. | 2 hr 2 min | 1 hr 42 min | 13 min |
🚶 Walking · Otay pedestrian crossing
General
- Fastest on weekdays: 10 p.m. (~1 min), 11 p.m. (~1 min) and 9 p.m. (~4 min).
- Busiest on weekdays: 6 a.m. (~53 min), 8 a.m. (~50 min) and 5 a.m. (~49 min).
- Fastest on weekends: 5 a.m. (~3 min), 6 a.m. (~3 min) and 11 p.m. (~4 min).
- Busiest on weekends: 8 p.m. (~35 min), noon (~26 min) and 7 p.m. (~25 min).
Typical wait by hour (5 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
| Hour | General |
|---|---|
| 5 a.m. | 49 min |
| 6 a.m. | 53 min |
| 7 a.m. | 47 min |
| 8 a.m. | 50 min |
| 9 a.m. | 44 min |
| 10 a.m. | 36 min |
| 11 a.m. | 37 min |
| noon | 32 min |
| 1 p.m. | 29 min |
| 2 p.m. | 25 min |
| 3 p.m. | 26 min |
| 4 p.m. | 20 min |
| 5 p.m. | 16 min |
| 6 p.m. | 16 min |
| 7 p.m. | 13 min |
| 8 p.m. | 9 min |
| 9 p.m. | 4 min |
| 10 p.m. | 1 min |
| 11 p.m. | 1 min |
| Hour | General |
|---|---|
| 5 a.m. | 3 min |
| 6 a.m. | 3 min |
| 7 a.m. | 7 min |
| 8 a.m. | 11 min |
| 9 a.m. | 14 min |
| 10 a.m. | 19 min |
| 11 a.m. | 23 min |
| noon | 26 min |
| 1 p.m. | 18 min |
| 2 p.m. | 18 min |
| 3 p.m. | 19 min |
| 4 p.m. | 15 min |
| 5 p.m. | 15 min |
| 6 p.m. | 19 min |
| 7 p.m. | 25 min |
| 8 p.m. | 35 min |
| 9 p.m. | 13 min |
| 10 p.m. | 9 min |
| 11 p.m. | 4 min |
Data: CBP, analyzed by LineaHoy. Updated: October 21, 2026.
About the Otay crossing
Otay Mesa (CBP code 250601) is on the east side of Tijuana and connects to the CA-905 freeway in San Diego. It's the city's second-busiest port of entry and a common alternative when San Ysidro is backed up.
The passenger vehicle crossing is open 24 hours, and Otay also has a pedestrian crossing. The commercial truck crossing (cargo) is a separate port with its own hours and isn't reflected in these wait times.
Available lanes
For drivers, the lanes into the U.S. are General, Ready Lane and SENTRI. For pedestrians, the lanes vary by crossing, and CBP doesn't always publish all of them (often just General and Ready Lane), so you'll see "No data" for any lane it doesn't report.
- General: any traveler with valid documents.
- Ready Lane: only for RFID-enabled cards: U.S. passport card, Border Crossing Card (laser visa), green card or trusted traveler cards. Passport books are not accepted. Usually faster.
- SENTRI / Global Entry: travelers enrolled in the trusted traveler program. The fastest lane.
Tips for a faster crossing
- If you live in or are headed to east Tijuana (La Mesa, Otay, El Florido), Otay is usually closer than San Ysidro.
- Compare Otay's wait with San Ysidro's before deciding; sometimes it's worth driving a little farther to skip the line.
- Ready Lane and SENTRI are available here too, driving and walking.
- If you're driving a cargo truck, that's the Otay Mesa commercial port, separate from this passenger crossing.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to cross at Otay instead of San Ysidro?
It depends on where you are and how the line looks. Otay is usually quicker if you're on the east side of Tijuana. Compare both live wait times before you head out.
Can I see Otay wait times for driving and walking?
Yes. This page has two sections: 'Driving' (vehicle crossing) and 'Walking' (Otay pedestrian crossing), each with its wait time by lane.
Is Otay open 24 hours?
The Otay Mesa passenger vehicle crossing is open 24 hours. The pedestrian crossing may have shorter hours; check with CBP.
Where do trucks and cargo cross?
Commercial traffic crosses at the Otay Mesa commercial port, a separate port with its own hours. These wait times are only for passenger vehicles and pedestrians.
Does Otay have Ready Lane and SENTRI?
Yes, it has General, Ready Lane and SENTRI lanes into the United States.
What's the best time to cross at Otay on weekdays?
On weekdays, the General lane for drivers is usually fastest at 11 p.m. (~43 min), 10 p.m. (~44 min) and 9 p.m. (~55 min) (typical CBP wait times over the last 120 days, analyzed by LineaHoy). For pedestrians, the General lane is usually fastest at 10 p.m. (~1 min), 11 p.m. (~1 min) and 9 p.m. (~4 min).
What's the best time to cross at Otay on weekends?
On weekends, the General lane for drivers is usually fastest at 5 a.m. (~44 min), 6 a.m. (~1 hr 5 min) and 7 a.m. (~1 hr 5 min) (typical CBP wait times over the last 120 days, analyzed by LineaHoy).
When is the line longest at Otay on weekdays?
On weekdays, the General lane for drivers usually has the longest wait at 1 p.m. (~1 hr 56 min), 3 p.m. (~1 hr 55 min) and 4 p.m. (~1 hr 54 min) (typical CBP wait times over the last 120 days, analyzed by LineaHoy).