Border Times is a free web and iOS app that provides real-time US-Mexico border crossing wait times using official CBP data and community reports.
What is Border Times?
Border Times helps travelers cross the US-Mexico border efficiently by providing accurate, real-time wait time data for all major border crossings. It takes as input the user's chosen crossing and outputs current wait times for vehicle lanes, pedestrian crossings, SENTRI, FAST, and Ready Lanes. The service is free and available on the web at border-times.com and on iOS via the App Store.
Key Features
- Real-time wait times — Updated every 15 minutes from official U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data.
- Crossing coverage — All major crossings from San Ysidro (CA) to Brownsville (TX), including Laredo, El Paso, Hidalgo, and more.
- Lane-specific data — Separate wait times for General, SENTRI, Ready Lanes, FAST, pedestrian lanes, and vehicle lanes with number of lanes open.
- Historical trends — Monthly vehicle and pedestrian counts (e.g., San Ysidro ~1.3M vehicles, ~670K pedestrians in May) and daily average traffic (e.g., 93K/day at San Ysidro).
- Community reports — Users can submit their own crossing times to supplement official data.
- Event alerts — Notices for holidays (July 4th), summer vacation, and events like FIFA World Cup 2026 affecting wait times.
- Bilingual support — Available in English and Spanish.
- Free to use — No subscription required on web or iOS.
Who is it for?
- Frequent border crossers commuting for work — check wait times before leaving to choose the best crossing and lane.
- Travelers planning trips to Mexico — compare wait times across crossings to minimize delays.
- SENTRI/Ready Lane holders — get lane-specific wait times to maximize time savings.
- Logistics companies managing cross-border shipments — monitor commercial crossing delays.
- Anyone who crosses the US-Mexico border — plan departure times and avoid peak congestion.
What can you do with Border Times?
- Check current wait times — View live wait times for any major crossing, updated every 15 minutes.
- Compare crossings — See which crossing has the shortest wait at a given time.
- View historical trends — Analyze daily and monthly traffic patterns to plan ahead.
- Report your crossing — Submit your own wait time to contribute to community data.
- Prepare for events — See alerts for holidays, summer, or World Cup that impact traffic.
How does Border Times work?
Border Times pulls official CBP wait time data every 15 minutes and displays it on an interactive map and list. Users can also submit their own crossing reports, which are integrated to provide real-world insights. No registration is required to view times; reports may require an account.
FAQ
Is Border Times free?
Yes, Border Times is completely free to use on the web and iOS. There are no hidden charges or subscriptions.
How accurate are the wait times?
Wait times come from official CBP data refreshed every 15 minutes, supplemented by user-submitted reports. While official data is authoritative, user reports can reflect real-time conditions not captured in CBP updates.
Does Border Times cover all US-Mexico border crossings?
It covers all major pedestrian and vehicle crossings from San Diego, California to Brownsville, Texas, including SENTRI and Ready Lanes. Small or remote crossings may not be listed.
Can I use Border Times on Android?
Border Times is currently available on iOS and web. There is no Android app mentioned, but the web version works on mobile browsers.
How do I submit a crossing report?
On the website or app, navigate to a crossing and use the "Report Wait Time" feature. You'll be prompted to enter your wait time and lane type. Reports help the community and are displayed alongside official data.
