San Ysidro SENTRI/Global Entry Driving Directions

Directions to San Ysidro SENTRI/Global Entry

Updated Oct 30, 2024

Most Reliable Route to the San Ysidro SENTRI/Global Entry Entrance

WARNING: Do not attempt to cut in the line at the SENTRI entrance. The City of Tijuana has enacted new city ordinances which impose strict penalties including fines and even vehicle confiscation for violators who attempt to enter ahead of the end of the line. DO NOT RELY ONLY ON GOOGLE/WAZE/APPLE NAVIGATION! It is often inaccurate and will take you to the wrong lane or on a route in which you may inadvertently cut in line and will subject you to penalties.

How To Safely Navigate Using Google/Waze/Apple

While we don't recommend using your navigation app to navigate directly from your start point to your destination across the border, we do recommend following this two step method to navigate to the end of the SENTRI line using waypoints. We feel this method is reliable 99% of the time, and only on very rare occasions, such as the busiest days during the christmas season, would we expect the SENTRI wait to back up further.

Step 1
Navigate to the roundabout of General Ignacio Zaragoza next to Hotel Lucerna Tijuana. It does not matter how Google navigates you there, what is important is that you begin the route to the SENTRI Lane Entry Point from this roundabout. Starting at the roundabout should reliably direct you to the back of the SENTRI line and avoid any issues with entering the line where you shouldn't.
Step 2
Once you reach the roundabout you will then navigate to the SENTRI Lane Entry Point. This should take you around the roundabout to head northeast over the bridge onto "Boulevard Padre Kino". Follow your map from there and Google should take you to the SENTRI Entry Point. Consult our map below to confirm that Google is navigating you along the same route. If it takes you a different way, it could be to an entrance prohibited by Tijuana transit officials.

Additionally, we highly suggest you watch the video below which follows the route described here and provides terrific visual cues for navigating to the roundabout and on to the SENTRI Entry Point.

Watch the Video!

Routes in Google Maps

As we've said, it doesn't matter the route that your navigation app takes you, as long as navigate to the waypoint in Step 1 above at the Zaragoza/Hotel Lucerna Roundabout. We are providing two full routes here which begin at the Tijuana toll booth on the main coastal highway (1D).

Updated 2024/2025 route along calle segunda during construction of Via Internacional Viaduct

Normal route along Via Internacional (corresponds to the video):

Problems getting to the SENTRI Entrance? We want to know if you have any trouble following this route or had any issues with Tijuana Transit Officials. Please contact us!

More About SENTRI/Global Entry

If you are not yet a member of the SENTRI/Global Entry program, read more. For more information on the different border lane types and what documents are necessary, read more

About Our Sources

We work hard to maintain the validity and accuracy of the information we provide in our Before You Go guide to traveling into Mexico, and coming back to the United States. We source our information through government websites and the direct relationships we have with community and government leaders both in the United States and Mexico. Our team is based in San Diego and crosses the US/Mexico border often. Additionally we are involved with advocating for a better border crossing experience through our work with the Smart Border Coalition and regional chambers of commerce. Please contact us with questions or corrections.