(Due to high tourist traffic between the Mexico and US border we strongly advise you to leave your car on the US side of the border. Parking is easy and secure, and we provide shuttles to The Ranch from the border. Be advised that if you chose to drive across, border wait times on Saturday are typically between three and five hours long.)
The highway from San Diego that takes you to the Tecate turnoff is CA-94, one of the most scenic country drives in California. In the San Diego metropolitan area, CA-94 runs east-west and roughly parallels Interstate 8, which is farther north. Consequently, the city’s main north-south highways (I-5, 163, 15, 805 and 125) all intersect CA-94. East of San Diego, CA-94 turns southeast, toward Mexico.
We recommend obtaining additional insurance coverage for driving in Mexico. Check with your current insurance provider as some US insurance companies cover a short distance across the international border (we are 4.4 miles across). Another option would be AAA. As a last resort, just before crossing the border, there is a small store to purchase Mexican Auto Insurance.
(Note: You may opt to leave your car on the U.S. side in Tecate, California, just north of the border crossing. We will send a Ranch van and driver to pick you up at the border, escort you through the simple visa process, and on to the Ranch! Please keep in mind the Tecate border crossing is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The lot where you leave your car is one we use frequently and typically costs about $5-10 per day.)
Have fun! The drive is easy…especially if you watch for CA-94 signs all the way. This highway has a few splits and turns that drivers occasionally miss. For example, if you are coming from San Diego, be sure to stay on 94 EAST where the highway splits near Lemon Grove. You will leave Highway 94 where it connects with Tecate Road (Highway 188), two miles north of the border.
Map Link to Recommended Driving Route
Please plan to call the Front Desk when you reach Campo Rd., so we have an estimated time of arrival at the US/Mexico border (858)925-1214
Take Interstate 5 south to the Highway 94 turnoff.
Go EAST 13.3 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto CAMPO RD / CA-94. Continue to follow CA-94 for 23.6 miles.
Bear RIGHT to go onto CA-188 / TECATE RD for 2 miles, to the Tecate border.
From north of La Jolla, via I-5 South to I-805
.
Merge onto I-805 South via the exit on the LEFT. Go 14.7 miles.
Merge onto CA-94 East. Go 11.2 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto CAMPO RD / CA-94. Continue to follow CA-94 for 23.6 miles.
Bear RIGHT to go onto CA-188 / TECATE RD for 2 miles to the Tecate border.
Near the summit after the climb on I-8 out of the desert into San Diego County’s mountains, take the CA-94 exit toward Boulevard/Manzanita.
Turn LEFT onto CA-94/Ribbonwood Road. Continue to follow CA-94 0.6 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto CA-94/Old Highway 80. Continue to follow CA-94 25.6 miles.
Turn LEFT onto CA-188/Tecate Road. Go 2 miles to the border gate.
DRIVING FROM THE BORDER of TECATE TO RANCHO LA PUERTA
TECATE BORDER HOURS
The border is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
(Due to high tourist traffic between the Mexico and US border we strongly advise you to leave your car on the US side of the border. Parking is easy and secure, and we provide shuttles to The Ranch from the border. Be advised that if you chose to drive across, border wait times on Saturday are typically between three and five hours long.)
If you drove your own car to the Ranch, please note that the return drive to the border crossing is not quite the same. Visit the Front Desk or Concierge near the end of your stay for driving directions and information about crossing at Tecate’s garita (border gate).