How busy is Otay Mesa Passenger border crossing?

Otay Mesa Passenger is top 10 busiest US-Mexico crossing. In November 2025, approximately 85,828 crossings occurred daily. The monthly breakdown includes 920,420 personal vehicles, 153,664 commercial vehicles, and 1,045,220 pedestrians. (Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, November 2025)

How many people cross Otay Mesa Passenger every day?

In November 2025, approximately 85,828 crossings occurred daily at Otay Mesa Passenger. The monthly total was around 2,119,304 crossings, including 1,529,614 vehicle passengers and 1,045,220 pedestrians. (Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, November 2025)

How many people walk across Otay Mesa Passenger?

In November 2025, 1,045,220 pedestrians crossed at Otay Mesa Passenger, representing 49% of total traffic. This makes Otay Mesa Passenger a major pedestrian crossing point. (Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, November 2025)

How many people drive across Otay Mesa Passenger?

In November 2025, 1,529,614 people crossed in personal vehicles at Otay Mesa Passenger. This included 920,420 vehicles, averaging 1.7 people per vehicle. (Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, November 2025)

How much commercial traffic crosses at Otay Mesa Passenger?

In November 2025, Otay Mesa Passenger processed 153,664 commercial crossings (trucks and buses), representing 7% of total traffic. This makes Otay Mesa Passenger a major trade corridor. (Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, November 2025)

Does Otay Mesa Passenger have rail freight crossing?

Yes, Otay Mesa Passenger handles rail freight traffic. In November 2025, 28 trains crossed the border, transporting goods between the United States and Mexico. (Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, November 2025)

How long is the wait at Otay Mesa Passenger border crossing right now?

Current wait times at Otay Mesa Passenger are updated every 15 minutes from official CBP (Customs and Border Protection) data. Check the live wait times above for the most recent information on all available lanes.

How often are wait times updated at Otay Mesa Passenger?

Wait times for Otay Mesa Passenger are updated every 15 minutes directly from official CBP data. Our app automatically refreshes to show you the most current information available.

What are the hours of operation for Otay Mesa Passenger border crossing?

Operating hours for Otay Mesa Passenger vary by port of entry. When available, hours are shown in the crossing data. For current hours and temporary closures, please check the official CBP website.

What lanes are available at Otay Mesa Passenger?

Currently available lanes at Otay Mesa Passenger are shown in the real-time data above. This may include standard lanes, SENTRI lanes, Ready Lane, and pedestrian crossings, depending on each port of entry's configuration.

How many lanes are open at Otay Mesa Passenger?

When available, we display the number of lanes currently open out of the total available for each lane type (standard, SENTRI, Ready Lane, pedestrian). This information comes from official CBP data and updates every 15 minutes. If lane capacity information is not shown, it may not be available from CBP for this crossing.

Is the SENTRI lane open at Otay Mesa Passenger?

Current SENTRI lane availability at Otay Mesa Passenger is shown in the real-time data above. If SENTRI information is not displayed, the lane may be temporarily closed or not available at this port.

Can I cross Otay Mesa Passenger as a pedestrian?

If Otay Mesa Passenger allows pedestrian crossings, you will see pedestrian wait times in the data above. Not all ports offer pedestrian crossing. Check the information displayed to confirm availability.

Where does the Otay Mesa Passenger data come from?

All wait time data comes directly from the official CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) system. We do not estimate or modify the wait times reported by border authorities.

What's the current weather at Otay Mesa Passenger?

We provide real-time weather information for Otay Mesa Passenger, including temperature, weather conditions, and wind speed. Weather data is updated every 3 hours from Open-Meteo, a professional weather service.

What's the current exchange rate at Otay Mesa Passenger?

We display the current USD/MXN exchange rate with 7 days of history data. Exchange rates are updated twice daily (5 AM and 12 PM PT) from reliable financial sources to help you plan your travel budget.

Complete Guide: Otay Mesa Passenger Border Crossing

←Otay Mesa Passenger Crossing

Best Times to Cross Otay Mesa

Otay Mesa is the second busiest crossing in the San Diego-Tijuana area, primarily for commercial traffic but also passenger vehicles.

Generally less congested than San Ysidro, especially outside peak hours.

BEST: Weekday early mornings 5:00-7:00 AM
GOOD: Late night after 9:00 PM
AVOID: Friday afternoons (heavy commercial traffic)
SENTRI: Typically 5-15 minutes
Less weekend traffic than San Ysidro
Great alternative when San Ysidro is backed up

Required Documentation

Same documentation requirements as San Ysidro.

Commercial cargo inspections are more frequent here.

Identification Documents

U.S. Passport or valid border crossing documents
SENTRI highly recommended
Green Card for permanent residents
Valid visa for visitors

Commercial Vehicles

Additional documentation required for commercial vehicles
Consult CBP for commercial cargo requirements

Tips for Otay Mesa

Otay Mesa is an excellent alternative to San Ysidro during peak times.

Use Otay when San Ysidro shows 2+ hour wait times
SENTRI especially valuable here - less traffic
Faster route from eastern Tijuana
Fewer services nearby - plan for gas and food
Good for travelers heading east toward Arizona
Less pedestrian-friendly - primarily vehicle traffic

Parking at Otay Mesa

Limited parking options compared to San Ysidro.

Mainly for short-term use.

Port Lots

Limited parking available near the crossing.

Varies

Private Lots

Some private options on Tijuana side.

80-120 Mexican pesos per day

Help Us Improve This Guide

Know something we missed? Have updated information about parking, hours, or crossing tips? We'd love to hear from you!

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