Driving north

[jesm]

This summer we will make our first drive from GTO to USA and plan on crossing at Laredo. Our schedule would allow us to make the drive to the border in a single long day either on a Sunday or Monday. Which day would be better from a traffic and border wait perspective? Any suggestions to enhance safety or enjoyment?
Appreciate all help.

[colleen]

I'd go on Monday. We used to cross at Laredo and now to go to McAllen/Reynosa. Either way, if you go on Sunday and arrive in the late afternoon you will have to deal with people returning to the US after a weekend and the wait on the bridge can be quite a long time. You'll avoid that with a Monday trip.

[laconstance]

The last time I drove north, I crossed at Laredo. It was a Wednesday, and no holiday week, in March. I got there about 1 in the afternoon, and spent 2 hours 30 minutes on the bridge in 90? full sun, my van waiting its turn to be thumped, undercarriage mirrored, and police dog sniffed. Welcome to the U.S.A. I crossed at Bridge 2, but Bridge 1 was just as bad, or worse.

[colleen]

Sorry about your experience Constance. To be more specific about our choice of McAllen/Reynosa, we avoid the usual bridge that is more direct into McAllen because at any day of the week or time of day, it is a hassle w/ people trying to sell you Last Suppers and Crucifixions as well as all kinds of crap. But if you go to the Pharr bridge, it's a bit out of the way but fast, as long as you aren't driving a truck and have to go in that lane. We went thru the express lane which required a US passport card and it was very fast. I'd just as soon cross as fast as possible and then go where I want in the US on the US side.

[jesm]

Thanks for the helpful replies. A further question on the suggested Pharr,tx crossing- what is the approximate driving time frm GTO up to that crossing, 8 hours? Appreciate it mucho.

[colleen]

Driving time to Pharr, same as to McAllen. We budget 10 hours but only stop for gas. I make sandwiches and we eat while driving.

[tjrosa]

First of all, we would suggest crossing at Del Rio (Ciudad Acuna on this side) and stay away from Laredo and surrounds if this does not take you too far out of your way. It's doable in 12 hours (vs. 11 to Laredo). We prefer weekends, the wait at the various check points between here and the border seem to be less. We travel round trip twice yearly, to New Mexico, and go out of our way to avoid Juarez. Also, there is never much of a wait at Del Rio, 30 minutes at most unless it is a major holiday. Good luck!