Cross the U.S. Border Into Mexico

Have you ever driven to Mexico and have had trouble with crossing the US border? A lot of us have with those mile long lines.

Steps

Realize you are not the only one crossing that day. 50,000 vehicles pass through popular border stations and about 25,000 pedestrians cross the border every day. At some border crossings there are 18 lanes going northbound and 6 lanes going southbound.
Learn what your options are.
- Walk and be a pedestrian for a day and catch a taxi once you're on the Mexican border. The cost would be between $8.00-$10.00 . Make sure you have passport ready for this one because there will be Mexican officials that will check your identification.
- Park your car on the United States side of the border where there are parking lots that charge a minimum fee for the whole day and catch the bus right there in that same spot to cross to the Mexican border.
- Drive your vehicle to cross the border. Make sure if you opt for this choice to contact your insurance company to ask about extended foreign coverage. Or, you can purchase additional car insurance for that main purpose of being in a foreign country. Mexican insurance can be purchased online or for last minute purchases, insurance is sold on the US side just before getting to the border.
Allow enough time. Typically crossing from the US to Mexico is very quick and painless as it usually involves no meetings with Mexican officials. On the other hand, crossing from Mexico back to the US can take over an hour since US immigration and customs inspections can be thorough.

Expect the waiting to cross the border from Mexico to the US to be a 1-2 hour wait if you follow these tips and warnings.
During this wait you can catch up on buying anything you forgot or didn't have the time to purchase during your trip. During your wait alongside of the crossing lanes back to the US, you will see people trying to sell you all of the below:
- pinatas
- warm blankets
- religious figures
- food
- drinks
- pottery
- leather purses

Don forget your green card!

Avoid crossing on Sunday afternoon or evening coming from Mexico into the US. Also avoid crossing on holidays and try to be at the crossing lanes before 3:00 pm.