Every Wayro route we publish from U.S. cities to Tecate, Baja California, with the border crossing each one uses and what you need to bring a U.S. car across.
What the State Department tells travelers on this route:
- Baja California: “Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations.”
About Tecate
Right on the border about an hour east of Tijuana, Tecate is the only Pueblo Mágico sitting directly on the U.S. line, a title SECTUR gave it in 2012. The town grew up around its namesake brewery and it calls itself the northern gateway to Baja California's wine country. Locals are also proud of their artisanal bread.
- Tecate brewery: The brewery that put the town's name on beer cans worldwide offers tours of its facilities that walk you through the brewing process. source
- Cerro Cuchumá: The mountain rising over town is a sacred site for the Kumiai people and has more than 12 kilometers of hiking trail. source
- Tecate Community Museum: This museum was created to preserve Kumiai culture, telling the story of the Indigenous people who lived in these hills long before the border. source
- Wine Route: Puerta Norte: More than ten wineries around Tecate form the northern door of Baja California's Wine Route, an easy add-on before heading south. source
- Tecate bakeries: Stop for pan dulce at one of the town's artisanal bakeries; the local bread has become a symbol of Tecate itself. source
Crossing into Mexico: what you need to drive to Tecate
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Not needed if you stay within 12 miles (20 km) of the border for 6 days or less; required for longer stays or if you travel farther in |
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Not needed: Baja California is in Mexico's hassle-free zone for U.S. vehicles |
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you cross |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
Where drivers cross the border
Tecate
The Tecate crossing sits about 40 miles southeast of San Diego and connects Tecate, California, with Tecate, Baja California. It is the smallest of the San Diego-area ports and handles both passenger vehicles and pedestrians. Used by 171 of the routes below.
Drives to Tecate from the U.S.
| From | Miles | Driving time | Border crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | 41 | 51 min | Tecate |
| Coronado, CA | 44 | 57 min | Tecate |
| Poway, CA | 52 | 1 h 11 min | Tecate |
| Del Mar, CA | 55 | 1 h 7 min | Tecate |
| Solana Beach, CA | 57 | 1 h 8 min | Tecate |
| Julian, CA | 57 | 1 h 33 min | Tecate |
| Encinitas, CA | 62 | 1 h 13 min | Tecate |
| Escondido, CA | 63 | 1 h 11 min | Tecate |
| Carlsbad, CA | 70 | 1 h 20 min | Tecate |
| Oceanside, CA | 73 | 1 h 22 min | Tecate |
| Vista, CA | 74 | 1 h 26 min | Tecate |
| El Centro, CA | 80 | 1 h 32 min | Tecate |
| Temecula, CA | 91 | 1 h 38 min | Tecate |
| San Clemente, CA | 94 | 1 h 41 min | Tecate |
| Dana Point, CA | 100 | 1 h 48 min | Tecate |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 108 | 2 h 3 min | Tecate |
| Irvine, CA | 119 | 2 h 2 min | Tecate |
| Newport Beach, CA | 122 | 2 h 15 min | Tecate |
| Costa Mesa, CA | 123 | 2 h 12 min | Tecate |
| Santa Ana, CA | 124 | 2 h 9 min | Tecate |
| Huntington Beach, CA | 127 | 2 h 22 min | Tecate |
| Riverside, CA | 130 | 2 h 20 min | Tecate |
| Anaheim, CA | 131 | 2 h 17 min | Tecate |
| Yuma, AZ | 136 | 2 h 23 min | Tecate |
| Long Beach, CA | 141 | 2 h 37 min | Tecate |
| Redlands, CA | 143 | 2 h 27 min | Tecate |
| Claremont, CA | 153 | 2 h 40 min | Tecate |
| Palm Desert, CA | 153 | 3 h 7 min | Tecate |
| Rancho Mirage, CA | 155 | 3 h 9 min | Tecate |
| Los Angeles, CA | 155 | 2 h 39 min | Tecate |
| Palm Springs, CA | 155 | 2 h 57 min | Tecate |
| Hermosa Beach, CA | 156 | 2 h 46 min | Tecate |
| Manhattan Beach, CA | 157 | 2 h 45 min | Tecate |
| Indio, CA | 158 | 3 h 17 min | Tecate |
| Pasadena, CA | 160 | 2 h 49 min | Tecate |
| La Quinta, CA | 162 | 3 h 26 min | Tecate |
| West Hollywood, CA | 163 | 2 h 52 min | Tecate |
| Glendale, CA | 163 | 2 h 45 min | Tecate |
| Venice Beach, CA | 166 | 2 h 56 min | Tecate |
| Burbank, CA | 166 | 2 h 47 min | Tecate |
| Beverly Hills, CA | 166 | 2 h 53 min | Tecate |
| Santa Monica, CA | 169 | 2 h 55 min | Tecate |
| Yucca Valley, CA | 170 | 3 h 16 min | Tecate |
| Big Bear Lake, CA | 179 | 3 h 28 min | Tecate |
| Malibu, CA | 186 | 3 h 22 min | Tecate |
| Twentynine Palms, CA | 191 | 3 h 45 min | Tecate |
| Thousand Oaks, CA | 194 | 3 h 26 min | Tecate |
| Camarillo, CA | 207 | 3 h 40 min | Tecate |
| Barstow, CA | 207 | 3 h 25 min | Tecate |
| Fillmore, CA | 211 | 3 h 35 min | Tecate |
| Oxnard, CA | 216 | 3 h 53 min | Tecate |
| Santa Paula, CA | 219 | 3 h 52 min | Tecate |
| Ventura, CA | 222 | 3 h 59 min | Tecate |
| Ojai, CA | 238 | 4 h 21 min | Tecate |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 250 | 4 h 31 min | Tecate |
| Ridgecrest, CA | 256 | 4 h 38 min | Tecate |
| Tehachapi, CA | 264 | 4 h 44 min | Tecate |
| Bakersfield, CA | 267 | 4 h 26 min | Tecate |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | 278 | 5 h 22 min | Tecate |
| Solvang, CA | 283 | 5 h 17 min | Tecate |
| Wickenburg, AZ | 296 | 5 h 38 min | Tecate |
| Bullhead City, AZ | 301 | 6 h 0 min | Tecate |
| Lompoc, CA | 304 | 5 h 36 min | Tecate |
| Laughlin, NV | 304 | 6 h 5 min | Tecate |
| Goodyear, AZ | 306 | 5 h 17 min | Tecate |
| Santa Maria, CA | 313 | 5 h 52 min | Tecate |
| Casa Grande, AZ | 315 | 5 h 12 min | Tecate |
| Surprise, AZ | 316 | 5 h 35 min | Tecate |
| Peoria, AZ | 319 | 5 h 32 min | Tecate |
| Glendale, AZ | 321 | 5 h 36 min | Tecate |
| Phoenix, AZ | 321 | 5 h 32 min | Tecate |
| Lone Pine, CA | 329 | 6 h 1 min | Tecate |
| Chandler, AZ | 331 | 5 h 43 min | Tecate |
| Pismo Beach, CA | 331 | 6 h 13 min | Tecate |
| Tempe, AZ | 332 | 5 h 45 min | Tecate |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 334 | 5 h 50 min | Tecate |
| Coolidge, AZ | 336 | 5 h 39 min | Tecate |
| Gilbert, AZ | 337 | 5 h 52 min | Tecate |
| Avila Beach, CA | 338 | 6 h 23 min | Tecate |
| Visalia, CA | 339 | 5 h 47 min | Tecate |
| Prescott, AZ | 339 | 6 h 51 min | Tecate |
| Mesa, AZ | 342 | 5 h 53 min | Tecate |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 344 | 6 h 28 min | Tecate |
| Cave Creek, AZ | 348 | 6 h 11 min | Tecate |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 351 | 6 h 7 min | Tecate |
| Pahrump, NV | 354 | 6 h 25 min | Tecate |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 354 | 6 h 12 min | Tecate |
| Morro Bay, CA | 356 | 6 h 43 min | Tecate |
| Chino Valley, AZ | 361 | 7 h 12 min | Tecate |
| Henderson, NV | 361 | 5 h 52 min | Tecate |
| Paso Robles, CA | 363 | 6 h 6 min | Tecate |
| Las Vegas, NV | 364 | 5 h 49 min | Tecate |
| Boulder City, NV | 372 | 6 h 5 min | Tecate |
| Fresno, CA | 374 | 6 h 21 min | Tecate |
| Beatty, NV | 377 | 7 h 29 min | Tecate |
| Cambria, CA | 377 | 7 h 11 min | Tecate |
| Tucson, AZ | 377 | 6 h 11 min | Tecate |
| Jerome, AZ | 378 | 7 h 49 min | Tecate |
| Bishop, CA | 386 | 7 h 12 min | Tecate |
| Globe, AZ | 400 | 7 h 10 min | Tecate |
| Camp Verde, AZ | 401 | 6 h 56 min | Tecate |
| Payson, AZ | 408 | 7 h 12 min | Tecate |
| Cottonwood, AZ | 413 | 7 h 14 min | Tecate |
| Clarkdale, AZ | 417 | 7 h 22 min | Tecate |
| Oakhurst, CA | 419 | 7 h 21 min | Tecate |
| Pine, AZ | 424 | 7 h 35 min | Tecate |
| Sedona, AZ | 426 | 7 h 28 min | Tecate |
| Merced, CA | 428 | 7 h 22 min | Tecate |
| Nogales, AZ | 439 | 7 h 4 min | Tecate |
| Goldfield, NV | 443 | 8 h 44 min | Tecate |
| Mesquite, NV | 444 | 7 h 3 min | Tecate |
| Williams, AZ | 444 | 7 h 57 min | Tecate |
| Mariposa, CA | 445 | 7 h 59 min | Tecate |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | 447 | 7 h 20 min | Tecate |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 454 | 7 h 44 min | Tecate |
| Salinas, CA | 459 | 7 h 57 min | Tecate |
| Gilroy, CA | 464 | 7 h 35 min | Tecate |
| Modesto, CA | 467 | 8 h 7 min | Tecate |
| Tonopah, NV | 470 | 9 h 17 min | Tecate |
| Bisbee, AZ | 472 | 7 h 54 min | Tecate |
| Monterey, CA | 476 | 8 h 21 min | Tecate |
| Pacific Grove, CA | 478 | 8 h 26 min | Tecate |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA | 479 | 8 h 25 min | Tecate |
| St. George, UT | 482 | 7 h 39 min | Tecate |
| Ivins, UT | 483 | 7 h 56 min | Tecate |
| Santa Clara, UT | 486 | 7 h 46 min | Tecate |
| Show Low, AZ | 487 | 8 h 53 min | Tecate |
| Sonora, CA | 487 | 8 h 50 min | Tecate |
| Groveland, CA | 487 | 9 h 2 min | Tecate |
| Stockton, CA | 492 | 7 h 49 min | Tecate |
| Livermore, CA | 495 | 7 h 50 min | Tecate |
| San Jose, CA | 495 | 8 h 12 min | Tecate |
| Los Gatos, CA | 497 | 8 h 14 min | Tecate |
| Angels Camp, CA | 497 | 9 h 6 min | Tecate |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 499 | 8 h 20 min | Tecate |
| Hurricane, UT | 499 | 7 h 59 min | Tecate |
| Santa Clara, CA | 500 | 8 h 18 min | Tecate |
| La Verkin, UT | 501 | 8 h 3 min | Tecate |
| Safford, AZ | 501 | 8 h 12 min | Tecate |
| Pleasanton, CA | 502 | 7 h 59 min | Tecate |
| Hawthorne, NV | 505 | 9 h 32 min | Tecate |
| Murphys, CA | 505 | 9 h 18 min | Tecate |
| Cameron, AZ | 506 | 8 h 48 min | Tecate |
| Winslow, AZ | 510 | 8 h 36 min | Tecate |
| Palo Alto, CA | 511 | 8 h 31 min | Tecate |
| Menlo Park, CA | 514 | 8 h 38 min | Tecate |
| Walnut Creek, CA | 519 | 8 h 14 min | Tecate |
| Kanarraville, UT | 520 | 8 h 16 min | Tecate |
| Alameda, CA | 524 | 8 h 21 min | Tecate |
| Oakland, CA | 525 | 8 h 19 min | Tecate |
| Springdale, UT | 526 | 8 h 31 min | Tecate |
| Martinez, CA | 529 | 8 h 25 min | Tecate |
| Berkeley, CA | 529 | 8 h 28 min | Tecate |
| Tuba City, AZ | 531 | 9 h 18 min | Tecate |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 532 | 8 h 53 min | Tecate |
| Benicia, CA | 533 | 8 h 26 min | Tecate |
| Cedar City, UT | 533 | 8 h 25 min | Tecate |
| San Francisco, CA | 536 | 8 h 29 min | Tecate |
| Pioche, NV | 537 | 9 h 20 min | Tecate |
| Sacramento, CA | 539 | 8 h 32 min | Tecate |
| Gardnerville, NV | 541 | 10 h 31 min | Tecate |
| Napa Junction, CA | 544 | 8 h 44 min | Tecate |
| Sausalito, CA | 545 | 8 h 48 min | Tecate |
| Fairfield, CA | 549 | 8 h 43 min | Tecate |
| Davis, CA | 551 | 8 h 43 min | Tecate |
| Folsom, CA | 551 | 9 h 3 min | Tecate |
| Napa, CA | 552 | 8 h 54 min | Tecate |
| Tiburon, CA | 552 | 8 h 49 min | Tecate |
| Orderville, UT | 556 | 9 h 29 min | Tecate |
| Vacaville, CA | 556 | 8 h 49 min | Tecate |
| Carson City, NV | 557 | 10 h 54 min | Tecate |
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway mile markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route (roughly 2 to 7 miles depending on the type, farther for World Heritage sites): at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, with no more than five of one type, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place and city descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on September 29, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.