There are 13 passenger crossings into the Rio Grande Valley between Falcon Dam and Brownsville: 11 bridges, the road across Falcon Dam and the Los Ebanos ferry. Roma, McAllen-Hidalgo, Progreso, B&M and Gateway are open 24 hours for cars; McAllen-Hidalgo, Anzalduas, Pharr and Veterans have SENTRI lanes; and Falcon Dam, Anzalduas and Pharr take no pedestrians. Hours change, so confirm with CBP before you cross.
Note: General information, not legal, tax, immigration or lending advice. Amy is not an attorney, accountant, immigration adviser or lender.
All 13 crossings, west to east
| # | Crossing | Connects | Pedestrians | SENTRI | Ready | Passenger-vehicle hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Falcon Dam | Nueva Ciudad Guerrero and Falcon Heights | No | No | No | 7 am to 9 pm (CBP) or 7 am to 3 pm (TxDOT) |
| 2 | Roma | Ciudad Miguel Alemán and Roma | Yes | No | Yes, per CBP | 24 hours |
| 3 | Rio Grande City | Ciudad Camargo and Rio Grande City | Yes | No | Unconfirmed | 7 am to 11 pm or 8 am to 8 pm, depending on the CBP source |
| 4 | Los Ebanos ferry | Ciudad Gustavo Díaz Ordaz and Los Ebanos | Yes | No | No | 8 am to 4 pm, conditions permitting |
| 5 | Anzalduas | Reynosa and Mission | No | Yes | Yes | 6 am to 10 pm |
| 6 | McAllen-Hidalgo | Reynosa and Hidalgo (next to McAllen) | Yes | Yes | Yes | 24 hours |
| 7 | Pharr | Reynosa and Pharr | No, since 2015 | Yes | Yes, per CBP | Limited; see details |
| 8 | Donna | Río Bravo and Donna | Yes | No | Yes | 6 am to 9:45 pm |
| 9 | Progreso | Nuevo Progreso and Progreso | Yes | No | Yes | 24 hours |
| 10 | Los Indios | Lucio Blanco (municipio de Matamoros) and Los Indios | Yes | No | Yes | 6 am to 10 pm |
| 11 | B&M | Matamoros and Brownsville | Yes, 6 am to 10 pm | Not listed | Yes | 24 hours |
| 12 | Gateway | Matamoros and Brownsville | Yes | Not listed | Yes | 24 hours |
| 13 | Veterans (Los Tomates) | Matamoros and Brownsville | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6 am to midnight |
Wait times change minute to minute. Check live waits on CBP Border Wait Times.
Each crossing in detail
1. Falcon Dam Port of Entry
Nueva Ciudad Guerrero to Falcon Heights, Starr County. In Mexico: Cruce Internacional Presa Falcón.
A two-lane road across the top of the dam, passenger vehicles only, no toll. The U.S. side is run by the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, which makes it the only federally owned crossing in the region. Access: FM 2098 to US 83 in Texas; Mexican Federal Highway 2. Hours: CBP's Roma port page says 7 am to 9 pm, TxDOT's 2024 guide says 7 am to 3 pm. In 2023, 133,007 northbound vehicles crossed. Port page: CBP.
2. Roma-Ciudad Miguel Aleman International Bridge
Ciudad Miguel Alemán to Roma, Starr County. In Mexico: Puente Internacional Miguel Alemán-Roma.
Built in 1979; Starr County owns the U.S. side and CAPUFE operates the Mexican side. Pedestrians, cars, buses and trucks, 24 hours. CBP's live feed shows a Ready lane for vehicles that TxDOT does not mention. Access: Bravo Boulevard to US 83 in Roma; Manuel Cavazos Lerma to Highway 2 in Miguel Aleman. In 2023: 673,029 northbound vehicles and 200,109 pedestrians. Port page: CBP.
3. Starr-Camargo Bridge (Rio Grande City)
Ciudad Camargo to Rio Grande City, Starr County. In Mexico: Puente Internacional Camargo-Rio Grande City.
Opened in 1966; the private Starr Camargo Bridge Company runs the U.S. side and CAPUFE the Mexican side. Pedestrians and cars. CBP's live feed and the bridge company say 7 am to 11 pm; CBP's port page says 8 am to 8 pm. TxDOT mentions Ready lanes and CBP's feed does not. Access: Pete Diaz Avenue to US 83; Tamaulipas 63 and Federal Highway 2 in Mexico. In 2023: 400,753 vehicles and 44,492 pedestrians. Port page: CBP.
4. Los Ebanos Ferry
Ciudad Gustavo Díaz Ordaz to Los Ebanos, Hidalgo County. In Mexico: Chalán Díaz Ordaz-Los Ebanos.
The only hand-drawn ferry on the entire U.S.-Mexico border, with one vehicle lane and one pedestrian lane. A ferry has run here since the 1950s and the current one dates from 1979; CBP owns the inspection station. CBP lists 8 am to 4 pm daily and TxDOT adds "conditions permitting". On the Texas side it lands on Flores Street, south of US 83. In 2023: 34,561 vehicles and 30,316 pedestrians. Port page: CBP.
5. Anzalduas International Bridge
Reynosa to Mission, Hidalgo County. In Mexico: Puente Internacional Anzaldúas.
Opened in 2009 and 3.2 miles long, the longest bridge on the Texas-Mexico border. The cities of Hidalgo, McAllen and Mission own the U.S. side and McAllen operates it; Grupo Marhnos operates the Mexican side. Cars and buses only, no pedestrians, with SENTRI and Ready lanes, 6 am to 10 pm. In Mexico it connects to Highway 40 to Monterrey; in Texas, to FM 396 (Anzalduas Highway), Military Road and I-2. In 2023: 1,601,773 vehicles. Port page: CBP.
6. McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge
Reynosa to Hidalgo (next to McAllen), Hidalgo County. In Mexico: Puente Internacional Reynosa-Hidalgo.
The busiest crossing in the Valley in 2023, with 2,572,772 northbound vehicles and 2,359,430 pedestrians. Open 24 hours with SENTRI, Ready and pedestrian lanes. The City of McAllen owns the U.S. side and CAPUFE operates the Mexican side; two spans, from 1965 and 1987. Access: Boulevard Luis Echeverria to Highways 97, 2 and 40 in Reynosa; South International Boulevard to US 281 and I-2 in Texas. Port page: CBP.
7. Pharr International Bridge
Reynosa to Pharr, Hidalgo County. In Mexico: Puente Internacional Nuevo Amanecer (Reynosa-Pharr).
Mostly a cargo bridge: the number one U.S. crossing for fresh produce (TxDOT). No pedestrians since 2015. It has a SENTRI lane and CBP's feed shows Ready lanes. For cars, CBP's port page lists 6 to 8 am daily, 4 to 6 pm Monday to Friday and 4 pm to midnight Saturday and Sunday; the live feed shows 6 am to midnight for the port. The City of Pharr owns the U.S. side. Access: South Cage Boulevard (US 281) to I-2 and I-69C. In 2023: 428,767 vehicles. Port page: CBP.
8. Donna International Bridge
Río Bravo to Donna, Hidalgo County. In Mexico: Puente Internacional Río Bravo-Donna.
Opened in 2010, the newest vehicle bridge in the Valley. The City of Donna owns the U.S. side and COPA operates the Mexican side. Pedestrians and cars, with a Ready lane. CBP's port page lists 6 am to 9:45 pm and the live feed 6 am to 10 pm; on Oct 18, 2026, a CBP notice said the Ready lane opens 9 am to 2 pm. Access: FM 493 to US 281 and I-2; Highway 2D in Mexico. In 2023: 845,697 vehicles and 1,596 pedestrians. Port page: CBP.
9. Progreso International Bridge
Nuevo Progreso to Progreso, Hidalgo County. In Mexico: Puente Internacional Las Flores (Nuevo Progreso-Progreso).
Built in 1951 and rebuilt in 2003; the private Progreso Bridge Company owns the U.S. side and CAPUFE operates the Mexican side. Open 24 hours for pedestrians and cars, with Ready lanes for both; on Oct 18, 2026, a CBP notice said the pedestrian Ready lanes open noon to 5 pm. The third-busiest pedestrian crossing in the Valley in 2023: 566,270 vehicles and 1,160,818 pedestrians. Access: South International Boulevard to US 281 and I-2; Avenida Benito Juarez in Nuevo Progreso. Port page: CBP.
10. Los Indios International Bridge
Lucio Blanco (municipio de Matamoros) to Los Indios, Cameron County. In Mexico: Puente Internacional Lucio Blanco-Los Indios.
In service since 1992, the last crossing built before NAFTA. Cameron County owns the U.S. side and shares the revenue with San Benito and Harlingen; COPA operates the Mexican side. Pedestrians, cars and trucks, with Ready lanes. CBP lists 6 am to 10 pm (TxDOT 2024 said until midnight). Access: FM 509 to US 281 and I-69E; Federal Highway 2 and Tamaulipas 53 in Mexico. In 2023: 673,980 vehicles and 34,828 pedestrians. Port page: CBP.
11. Brownsville & Matamoros International Bridge (B&M)
Matamoros to Brownsville, Cameron County. In Mexico: Puente Internacional B&M (Puente Viejo).
Built in 1909, rebuilt in 1953 and expanded in 1997, the only Texas-Mexico bridge where one company operates both sides: the Brownsville & Matamoros Bridge Company (a Union Pacific subsidiary), with the Government of Mexico. Cameron County is buying Union Pacific's stake; it was notified of the Presidential Permit on July 30, 2026 (announced July 31), and whether the purchase has closed is unconfirmed. Cars 24 hours, with Ready lanes; CBP's feed shows no SENTRI lane. CBP notice on Oct 18, 2026: pedestrian access closes 10 pm to 6 am. In 2023: 1,351,960 vehicles and 661,871 pedestrians. Port page: CBP.
12. Gateway International Bridge
Matamoros to Brownsville, Cameron County. In Mexico: Puente Internacional Puerta México (Puente Nuevo).
Two spans, from 1969 and 1970. Cameron County owns the U.S. side and CAPUFE operates the Mexican side. Open 24 hours for pedestrians and cars, with Ready lanes; CBP's feed shows no SENTRI vehicle lane. On Oct 18, 2026, a CBP notice said a dedicated pedestrian Ready lane is now open for travelers with a valid U.S. passport or SENTRI card. Port modernization formally broke ground on May 6, 2026 and plans to double primary inspection lanes from 5 to 10, so expect construction changes. Second-busiest pedestrian crossing in the Valley in 2023: 1,146,027 vehicles and 1,718,125 pedestrians. Port page: CBP.
13. Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates
Matamoros to Brownsville, Cameron County. In Mexico: Puente Internacional General Ignacio Zaragoza (Los Tomates).
Opened in 1999 and 4,024 feet long. Cameron County owns the U.S. side with the City of Brownsville; PINFRA operates the Mexican side. It is the Brownsville bridge with a SENTRI lane, plus Ready and pedestrian lanes, open 6 am to midnight. Access: Cinco de Mayo and Avenida Accion Civica to Highway 2 in Matamoros; US 77/83 (I-69E) in Texas. In 2023: 1,541,355 vehicles and 233,141 pedestrians. Port page: CBP.
What are SENTRI and Ready lanes?
SENTRI is CBP's trusted traveler program for the southern border: members use dedicated lanes after a background check and an in-person interview (CBP). In a SENTRI lane, everyone in the vehicle must hold a SENTRI card. In the Valley, McAllen-Hidalgo, Anzalduas, Pharr and Veterans have SENTRI lanes; on Oct 18, 2026, CBP's feed showed no SENTRI vehicle lane at Gateway or B&M.
Ready lanes are for travelers with RFID-enabled documents. Per CBP, every traveler 16 or older must present one, such as the border crossing card (laser visa), the U.S. passport card, the permanent resident card or a SENTRI card, and a group with a mix of RFID cards may use the same Ready lane. Some Ready lanes keep shorter hours: on Oct 18, 2026, CBP notices said Donna's Ready lane opens 9 am to 2 pm and Progreso's pedestrian Ready lanes noon to 5 pm.
Why the hours do not match
CBP posts hours on each port page and in its live feed, and TxDOT compiles them in its guide. Four crossings disagree: Falcon Dam (7 am to 9 pm per CBP; 7 am to 3 pm per TxDOT), Rio Grande City-Camargo (7 am to 11 pm in the live feed and per the bridge company; 8 am to 8 pm on the port page), Los Indios (6 am to 10 pm per CBP; until midnight per TxDOT 2024) and Pharr, whose limited passenger hours differ from the port-wide hours in the feed. If you cross early or late, confirm with CBP or use a 24-hour crossing.
Tolls and wait times
Each side's owner sets the tolls (counties, cities or private companies in Texas; CAPUFE, COPA, Grupo Marhnos or PINFRA in Mexico), and they change, so we do not print them. CBP publishes live wait times on Border Wait Times and in its app; the feed does not cover every crossing, for example Falcon Dam and the Los Ebanos ferry.
Crossings under construction or planned
- Gateway: port modernization formally broke ground on May 6, 2026 and plans to double primary inspection lanes from 5 to 10 (GSA).
- B&M: Cameron County is buying Union Pacific's stake; it was notified of the Presidential Permit on July 30, 2026 (announced July 31) (Cameron County).
- Pharr: a second span is under construction (TxDOT).
- Roma: funding is in place to study reopening the old suspension bridge, closed in 1979, for pedestrians.
- Signed Presidential permits: the Mission-Madero-Reynosa bridge, the Flor de Mayo bridge and the Port of Brownsville bridge (TxDOT, 2024).
Crossings by 2023 volume
| Crossing | Passenger vehicles | Pedestrians |
|---|---|---|
| McAllen-Hidalgo | 2,572,772 | 2,359,430 |
| Anzalduas | 1,601,773 | none |
| Veterans | 1,541,355 | 233,141 |
| B&M | 1,351,960 | 661,871 |
| Gateway | 1,146,027 | 1,718,125 |
| Donna | 845,697 | 1,596 |
| Los Indios | 673,980 | 34,828 |
| Roma | 673,029 | 200,109 |
| Progreso | 566,270 | 1,160,818 |
| Pharr | 428,767 | none |
| Rio Grande City-Camargo | 400,753 | 44,492 |
| Falcon Dam | 133,007 | none |
| Los Ebanos ferry | 34,561 | 30,316 |
After you cross: the 25-mile zone
With a border crossing card and no I-94, a Mexican national may visit within 25 miles of the border for up to 30 days (8 CFR 235.1). Approximately, McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, Harlingen, Brownsville, Roma, Rio Grande City and South Padre Island are inside; Raymondville and Port Mansfield are outside. Buying a home does not change your immigration status; see can a Mexican citizen buy a house in Texas.
In Spanish, by home city
Spanish pages for buyers who live in Mexico cover the crossings, approximate drive times, documents and remote closing from each city: Reynosa y Río Bravo, Monterrey y Saltillo, Matamoros y Valle Hermoso and la Frontera Chica. They cover logistics only: Amy works with every buyer, on property in all four Valley counties. For the full buying process, see buying a home in Texas from Mexico.
Common questions
How many international bridges are in the Rio Grande Valley?
There are 13 passenger crossings between Falcon Dam and Brownsville: 11 bridges, the road across Falcon Dam and the Los Ebanos ferry. The West Rail Bridge in Brownsville carries freight trains only.
Which Valley bridges are open 24 hours?
For cars: Roma, McAllen-Hidalgo, Progreso, B&M and Gateway (checked Oct 18, 2026). At B&M, a CBP notice says pedestrian access closes 10 pm to 6 am. Confirm with CBP before you cross.
Which bridges have SENTRI lanes?
McAllen-Hidalgo, Anzalduas, Pharr and Veterans in Brownsville. In a SENTRI lane, everyone in the vehicle must be enrolled.
Can you walk across the Anzalduas bridge?
No. Anzalduas, Pharr and Falcon Dam take no pedestrians. The other Valley crossings do, during the hours CBP posts.
What is the longest bridge between Texas and Mexico?
The Anzalduas International Bridge, between Reynosa and Mission, at 3.2 miles.
How do I know how long the wait will be?
Check CBP Border Wait Times or the CBP app before you leave. Waits change constantly and cannot be promised.
About the author
Amy Herrera is a REALTOR® and Texas real estate sales agent (TREC #808068) with RE/MAX Elite (TREC #9007399), a U.S. Army Reserve Captain (veteran) with an MBA, and she works in English and Spanish across Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties. Amy works with every buyer, whether you live in Mexico, the United States or anywhere else. She does not ask about nationality or immigration status to work with you. She is not an attorney, accountant, immigration adviser or lender; she introduces licensed professionals and you choose. When you are ready, book a 30-minute call.
