How to skip the long border line at Calexico

Why stay out of the main lanes?

Heading down Cesar Chavez Blvd toward the port of entry, the main lanes feed straight into the vehicle queue. If your plan is to park on this side – to walk across, pick up a package, or leave your vehicle – there is no reason to join that line.

The local access lane runs parallel and gets you to the lot without ever touching the border queue.

The route, step by step

1. 1

   Take the local access lane from Grant Street

   Heading down Cesar Chavez Blvd, merge into the local access lane. Stay out of the main lanes that feed the queue.

2. 2

   Right on W 2nd Street

   When you reach the light at W 2nd Street, turn right.

3. 3

   Back north on Cesar Chavez

   Make a U-turn on W 2nd Street, return to the light, and turn left onto Cesar Chavez Blvd heading north.

4. You have arrived

   Park Calexico is on your right about 500 feet after the light – look for the sign: 220 Cesar Chavez Blvd, Calexico, CA 92231. Pull in and park.

When is the line shortest?

As at most border crossings, peak times tend to be weekday mornings – when cross-border commuters and students go through – and weekend mid-afternoons. Mid-morning, early afternoon, and late evening are generally lighter.

Before you leave, check the wait times CBP publishes (Border Wait Times) for the Calexico port of entry; they change day to day, and that source always beats any rule of thumb.

Park and walk across

The lot is open 24/7, with staff on site during operating hours and on-site monitoring. Car or motorcycle from $5 per 24 hours; to get out even faster, a Star Space ($8) gives you a premium spot at the front of the lot.