{"id":1236,"date":"2024-09-10T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-10T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/?p=1236"},"modified":"2025-02-22T01:00:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-22T01:00:23","slug":"crossing-the-mcallen-hidalgo-bridge-sanborns-mexico-auto-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/crossing-the-mcallen-hidalgo-bridge-sanborns-mexico-auto-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"Crossing the McAllen-Hidalgo Bridge, Sanborn\u2019s Mexico Auto Insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"        <div class=\"o-component s-cms-content\" id=\"acf-cms-content-block_d42f5707b164ba0f220fd0f9f3f848a6\">\r\n                       <h1>Crossing the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge: What You Need to Know<\/h1>\n<p>Whether you are heading south for some summer fun in the sun or you are planning your trip to coincide with some of Mexico\u2019s stunning holiday experiences, when you decide to drive you\u2019ll need to plan where you will cross the border. There are numerous border crossings across four states, but what will partly \u201cdrive\u201d your decision will be the state you will enter from and your destination.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019ll need to make sure you get your necessary travel documents either before you get there online or right after you cross into Mexico. You\u2019ll also need Mexican car insurance since it is illegal to drive there without it. Sanborn\u2019s 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\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/mexico-auto-insurance\/\">Mexican car insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Navigating the McAllen-Hidalgo Bridge<\/h2>\n<p>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\u2019s also a popular way to access the Gulf Coast region of Mexico.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h3>Preparing for Your Journey: What to Know Before You Go<\/h3>\n<p>Besides required\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/travel-documents\/\">travel documents<\/a>\u00a0and auto insurance, it\u2019s 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\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/how-much-is-a-dollar-in-pesos-sanborns-mexico-car-insurance\/\">how to convert dollars into pesos<\/a>\u00a0will certainly smooth the way when you need to get gas or pay for a toll road (they only take pesos).<\/p>\n<p>Here is a list of requirements:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mexican citizens: your Mexican passport, or consular registration, and your U.S. residence or citizenship documents.<\/li>\n<li>Americans and other foreigners: valid passport.<\/li>\n<li>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\u2019t 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.<\/li>\n<li>Valid driver&#8217;s license and vehicle registration: \u00a0you must bring the original valid document from your vehicle registration.<\/li>\n<li>Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TIP): If you are going beyond the Mexico Free Zone, you will need a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/vehicle-permit\/\">temporary import permit<\/a>\u00a0that is issued at Banjercito&#8217;s offices at the border or you can purchase this online, as well.<\/li>\n<li>Mexico Car Insurance: Car insurance is mandatory for everybody driving in Mexico. Purchasing this online prior to leaving will save time and money.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you are staying more than 7 days and going past the Free Zone, you will need to stop at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/BuYHGS1hjP89vjz97\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Modulo CITEV Reynosa<\/a>. This is where the INM immigration, Customs and Banjercito offices are located and where you will get the FMM and TIP.<\/p>\n<p>The friendly agents at Sanborn\u2019s have been helping drivers cross the border into Mexico for more than 7 decades. They\u2019ll be happy to help you find the coverage you need.<\/p>\n<h2>Crossing Made Simple<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h3>Understanding the McAllen-Hidalgo Bridge Layout<\/h3>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>The City of McAllen also maintains\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcallen.net\/bridge-cameras\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">live bridge cameras<\/a>\u00a0on both sides of the border so you can check the traffic situation.<\/p>\n<h2>Timing Your Trip<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>&lt;h3-ada-not-tabbable=&#8221;true&#8221;&gt;Peak Hours and Best Times to Cross the McAllen-Hidalgo Bridge<\/p>\n<p>While you are finally packing up the car with your swim suits, sunscreen and plenty of water, don\u2019t forget to download the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/bwt.cbp.gov\/ViewAllPorts.html?com=1&amp;pas=1&amp;ped=1&amp;plist=2305\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) real-time border crossing wait times<\/a>\u00a0link. 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).<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t forget, when you are coming back to have acquired your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/quick-sentri-application-made-easy-sanborns-mexico-insurance\/\">SENTRI pass<\/a>. This handy document allows you to almost breeze through the northbound crossing.<\/p>\n<h2>Safety and Security Measures<\/h2>\n<p>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:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/tips-for-handling-toll-roads-in-mexico-sanborns-mexican-auto-insurance\/\">toll roads<\/a>\u00a0when possible<\/li>\n<li>Beware the Mexican \u201ctopes\u201d \u2013 speed bumps (or speed hills, as some call them) that pop up randomly.<\/li>\n<li>Keep plenty of pesos on hand, but don\u2019t flash jewelry or your dollars.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t get drunk at the fiesta unless you have trusted people to take care of you.<\/li>\n<li>Be polite and courteous.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Navigating Customs and Immigration Smoothly<\/h3>\n<p>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\u00a0illegal to bring firearms and ammunition across the border\u00a0except in special cases.<\/p>\n<p>If you are driving to Mexico to have a relaxing time at a beach or resort, or you are traveling for one of Mexico\u2019s famous holiday festivals, start your trip in the right frame of mind with all the information you need.<\/p>\n<h2>Don\u2019t Forget Your Mexican Car Insurance!<\/h2>\n<p>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\u2019s Mexico Auto Insurance has been helping drivers to Mexico find the best coverage for them. You can get a fast\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/\">online quote<\/a>, give them a call at\u00a0<a href=\"tel:800-222-0158\">800-222-0158<\/a>\u00a0or stop by one of their convenient\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/locations.sanborns.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">locations<\/a>\u00a0on the border.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\r\n\n\n            <div class=\"o-component c-quote-options\">\r\n                                    <p class=\"c-quote-options__title\">The Impact of Drinking Age Laws on Mexican Car Insurance<\/p>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"c-quote-options__content s-cms-content\">\r\n                        <p data-ada-original-font-size=\"14\" data-ada-original-font-weight=\"400\" data-ada-not-tabbable=\"true\">Before you leave, make sure you understand your Mexico insurance policy. In some instances, being under the influence may void your policy, as well as engaging in illegal behavior. Drinking responsibly should not affect your policy at all, so don\u2019t drive drunk and don\u2019t drink unless you are 18.<\/p>\n<p data-ada-original-font-size=\"14\" data-ada-original-font-weight=\"400\" data-ada-not-tabbable=\"true\">If you are\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/driving-to-mexico\/\" data-ada-original-font-size=\"14\" data-ada-original-font-weight=\"400\">driving to Mexico<\/a>, the professionals at Sanborn\u2019s Mexico Insurance have been helping people get legal auto insurance for more than 75 years. Check them out\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/sanbornsmobileuat.bigpandasuite.com\/guestRedesing\" data-ada-original-font-size=\"14\" data-ada-original-font-weight=\"400\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">online for affordable Mexico car insurance<\/a>, stop by one of their\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/locations.sanborns.com\/\" data-ada-original-font-size=\"14\" data-ada-original-font-weight=\"400\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">offices<\/a>\u00a0on your way to the border or give them a call at\u00a0<a href=\"tel:800-222-0158\" data-ada-original-font-size=\"14\" data-ada-original-font-weight=\"400\">800-222-0158<\/a>\u00a0for a simple solution.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\r\n                                                    <ul class=\"c-quote-options__list\">\r\n                                                                                                                            <li class=\"c-quote-options__item\">\r\n                                        <button 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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1236","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-travel-preparation"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1236","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1236"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1236\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1416,"href":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1236\/revisions\/1416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1236"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1236"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1236"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}