Crossing the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge: What You Need to Know

Whether you are heading south for some summer fun in the sun or you are planning your trip to coincide with some of Mexico’s stunning holiday experiences, when you decide to drive you’ll need to plan where you will cross the border. There are numerous border crossings across four states, but what will partly “drive” your decision will be the state you will enter from and your destination.

If you are driving to Mexico via Texas, one of the most popular crossings starts at McAllen, TX and ends in Reynosa, MX via the Hidalgo International Bridge, also called the Puente Internacional Reynosa-Hidalgo. Crossing the border can be confusing and you’ll need to make sure you get your necessary travel documents either before you get there online or right after you cross into Mexico. You’ll also need Mexican car insurance since it is illegal to drive there without it. Sanborn’s Mexico Auto Insurance has been helping people successfully cross the border for more than 75 years. Keep reading to find help navigating the crossing at the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, as well as get an online quote for cheap Mexican car insurance.

Navigating the McAllen-Hidalgo Bridge

The Hidalgo International Bridge is set up with vehicle and pedestrian traffic in mind. It is open 24/7 and is one of the busiest border crossings, with pedestrians, commercial vehicles and regular traffic flowing both ways. Many people who work in the U.S. but live in Mexico traverse this bridge daily. It’s also a popular way to access the Gulf Coast region of Mexico.

As an alternative, the Anzalduas International Bridge is only 19 miles from the Hidalgo Bridge and is much less crowded. It is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. It was built to divert traffic from the other, much more heavily congested bridge and is a viable path to the interior and Gulf Cost of Mexico.

Preparing for Your Journey: What to Know Before You Go

Besides required travel documents and auto insurance, it’s important to understand you are visiting a foreign country with its own customs and laws. Familiarizing yourself with some of these before you go is important to keep your trip more of a fiesta and less of a fiasco. For example, learning how to convert dollars into pesos will certainly smooth the way when you need to get gas or pay for a toll road (they only take pesos).

Here is a list of requirements:

·       Mexican citizens: your Mexican passport, or consular registration, and your U.S. residence or citizenship documents.

·       Americans and other foreigners: valid passport.

·       FMM: The FMM is the official immigration entry form, issued by the immigration office. You should start the process and pay online, print the form and present it at the immigration office at the border to validate in their system and stamp it. If you don’t start the process online before your trip, you will have to pay for the 6 months permit. This can only be paid with a credit card, officials cannot accept cash.

·       Valid driver's license and vehicle registration:  you must bring the original valid document from your vehicle registration.

·       Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TIP): If you are going beyond the Mexico Free Zone, you will need a temporary import permit that is issued at Banjercito's offices at the border or you can purchase this online, as well.

·       Mexico Car Insurance: Car insurance is mandatory for everybody driving in Mexico. Purchasing this online prior to leaving will save time and money.

If you are staying more than 7 days and going past the Free Zone, you will need to stop at Modulo CITEV Reynosa. This is where the INM immigration, Customs and Banjercito offices are located and where you will get the FMM and TIP.

The friendly agents at Sanborn’s have been helping drivers cross the border into Mexico for more than 7 decades. They’ll be happy to help you find the coverage you need.

Crossing Made Simple

There are steps you can take to make your trip across the border a breeze, so you are not too tired to take part in the fiesta by the time you reach your destination. Understanding the layout of the bridge, plus what you need to bring (besides plenty of patience) will go a long way to helping you and your passengers make the journey.

Understanding the McAllen-Hidalgo Bridge Layout

There are nine southbound lanes heading into Mexico, with one lane for EZ Cross and another for pedestrians. The EZ Cross lane is accessed with a pre-paid card, which costs $4 and a minimum deposit of $52.50. You can purchase it at the bridge admin building.

The City of McAllen also maintains live bridge cameras on both sides of the border so you can check the traffic situation.

Timing Your Trip

Just like with most crowded thoroughfares, the Hidalgo Bridge traffic ebbs and flows. Early morning rush hour and evening are busy times, as are weekends. The southbound lanes tend to move more freely than the northbound.

Peak Hours and Best Times to Cross the McAllen-Hidalgo Bridge

While you are finally packing up the car with your swim suits, sunscreen and plenty of water, don’t forget to download the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) real-time border crossing wait times link. Here you can see current wait times, as well as study it in advance to find out when the best times to cross happen (hint: very early morning is best).

Don’t forget, when you are coming back to have acquired your SENTRI pass. This handy document allows you to almost breeze through the northbound crossing.

Safety and Security Measures

Even though Mexico is renowned for the friendliness of its citizens, foreigners in any country need to take the same precautions they would if visiting any new place. A lot of it is common sense, so just pack your smarts along with your sunscreen. Here are a few tips:

·       Use the toll roads when possible

·       Beware the Mexican “topes” – speed bumps (or speed hills, as some call them) that pop up randomly.

·       Keep plenty of pesos on hand, but don’t flash jewelry or your dollars.

·       Don’t get drunk at the fiesta unless you have trusted people to take care of you.

·       Be polite and courteous.

Navigating Customs and Immigration Smoothly

As with navigating everything else, a little courtesy and respect will go a long way. Keep in mind the McAllen-Hidalgo Bridge is one of busiest crossings. Having your documents and required information ready to go will speed up the process. Have a clear understanding of what you can and cannot bring into Mexico, for example, it is illegal to bring firearms and ammunition across the border except in special cases.

If you are driving to Mexico to have a relaxing time at a beach or resort, or you are traveling for one of Mexico’s famous holiday festivals, start your trip in the right frame of mind with all the information you need.

Don’t Forget Your Mexican Car Insurance!

When driving in Mexico, you must have Mexican car insurance. This is the law. Your American insurance will not work. As part of your preparation for your trip, take some time to find the right car insurance at the right price. Sanborn’s Mexico Auto Insurance has been helping drivers to Mexico find the best coverage for them. You can get a fast online quote, give them a call at 800-222-0158 or stop by one of their convenient locations on the border.