The Wayro route from Orderville to Tecate is 556 miles (895 km), about 9 h 29 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 556 on this route, near the Tecate port of entry.
What the State Department tells travelers on this route:
- Baja California: “Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations.”
| Distance | 556 mi (895 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 9 h 29 min |
| Main roads, in order | US-89 → SR-9 → SR-17 → I-15 → I-215 → I-215 Truck → I-8 → CA-94 |
| Border crossing | about mile 556 of this route, California → Baja California (near the Tecate, CA port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Baja California (Level 3) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 22.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for 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.
Crossing at 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.
Sources: [1]
What the drive from Orderville to Tecate is like
I-15 (401 mi) and SR-9 (45 mi) carry about 80% of the 556 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California for about 556 miles; after the border at Tecate you are practically in Tecate. Of the 9 stops listed below, 7 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Orderville to Tecate, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| US-89 | 0–4 | 4 | Utah |
| SR-9 | 4–49 | 45 | Utah |
| SR-17 | 49–55 | 6 | Utah |
| I-15 | 55–406 | 351 | Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California |
| I-215 | 406–431 | 25 | California |
| I-215 Truck | 431–468 | 37 | California |
| I-15 | 468–518 | 50 | California |
| connecting roads | 518–519 | 1 | California |
| I-8 | 519–523 | 4 | California |
| connecting roads | 523–525 | 2 | California |
| CA-94 | 525–553 | 28 | California |
| local roads | 553–556 | 3 | California |
- Mile 83 of this route: Utah → Arizona (state line)
- Mile 112 of this route: Arizona → Nevada (state line)
- Mile 237 of this route: Nevada → California (state line)
- Mile 556 of this route: California → Baja California (international border)
Stops between Orderville and Tecate
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Checkerboard Mesa (mile 18), Zion National Park (mile 29), Zion Canyon (mile 32), Neon Museum (mile 192), The Strat (mile 194), Adventuredome (mile 196), Mission San Diego de Alcalá (mile 519)
- Nature and outdoors: Zion National Park (mile 29), Zion Canyon (mile 32), Bonita Falls (mile 404)
- Museums and history: Neon Museum (mile 192), Cabrillo National Monument (mile 518), Mission San Diego de Alcalá (mile 519)
- With kids: Adventuredome (mile 196)
Checkerboard Mesa
In Zion National Park, this geologic feature is one of the sights along the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway, the 1930 road whose switchbacks and stone retaining walls wind down toward the Virgin River.
Zion National Park
Massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink and red rise above the Virgin River here. Hikers ride the park shuttle to trails like the Narrows and permit-only Angels Landing, with Springdale just outside the gate.
Zion Canyon
Carved by the North Fork of the Virgin River, this gorge is lined with towering sandstone cliffs; in shuttle season a park shuttle runs the Scenic Drive to stops like the Grotto and the Temple of Sinawava, start of the Riverside Walk.
Neon Museum
Rescued Las Vegas signs fill the outdoor Neon Boneyard here, and visitors check in at the 1961 La Concha Motel lobby, a Googie-style building by architect Paul Revere Williams moved to the site in 2006.
The Strat
Its 1,149-foot tower has indoor and outdoor observation decks high above the Las Vegas Strip, plus thrill rides like Big Shot and X-Scream and the SkyJump controlled descent from 829 feet.
Adventuredome
Under a giant pink dome at Circus Circus on the Las Vegas Strip, this five-acre indoor amusement park runs roller coasters like Canyon Blaster alongside a carousel, laser challenges and virtual reality rides.
Bonita Falls
Off Lytle Creek Road in the San Bernardino National Forest, this waterfall cascades year-round; reaching the lower fall and its pool means a moderately hard walk uphill over river rock, watching for poison oak.
Cabrillo National Monument
The monument tells the story of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, who in 1542 became the first European to set foot on what is now the U.S. West Coast. It sits at the southern tip of the Point Loma peninsula.
Mission San Diego de Alcalá
Founded by Junípero Serra on July 16, 1769, California's first mission moved to this site in 1774 and was named a basilica in 1976. Visitors find a museum of excavated artifacts, courtyard gardens, and the campanario with original bells.
When you get to 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
More drives to Tecate
- El Centro, CA to Tecate
- Peoria, AZ to Tecate
- Mesquite, NV to Tecate
- Carlsbad, CA to Tecate
- Martinez, CA to Tecate
- Ridgecrest, CA to Tecate
From Orderville to other places in Mexico
- Orderville, UT to San Luis Río Colorado
- Orderville, UT to Rosarito
- Orderville, UT to Tijuana
- Orderville, UT to Mexicali
- Orderville, UT to Puerto Peñasco
- Orderville, UT to Sonoyta
All routes to Tecate, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Tecate, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Orderville to Tecate?
About 9 h 29 min of driving without stops, over 556 miles.
How far is Tecate from Orderville by car?
About 556 miles (895 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Where does the Orderville to Tecate drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 556 of this route, from California into Baja California, near the Tecate port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Orderville to Tecate?
No vehicle permit is needed. Baja California is in Mexico's hassle-free zone for U.S. vehicles. You also need Mexican auto insurance and a passport book or card.
Is it safe to drive from Orderville to Tecate?
The U.S. State Department rates Baja California Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Orderville to Tecate use?
In order: US-89, SR-9, SR-17, I-15, I-215, I-215 Truck, I-8 and CA-94. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Orderville and Tecate?
Closest to the road: Zion National Park (National park, mile 29, 0.2 mi from the route); Zion Canyon (canyon, mile 32, 0.2 mi from the route); Mission San Diego de Alcalá (spanish mission, mile 519, 0.5 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
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.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.