From Laredo via Puebla
Most popular esp. for RVer's, those in a hurry to get to new Yucatan.. Toll roads, safe driving. Enough RV parks, with 1 boondock unless you go to Cholula. Few scenic sidetrips. Highway between Puebla and Orizaba ascends to over 8,300 feet (2550 meters). Often foggy. Safety tips in my roadlog.
From Reynosa (Pharr, TX)
Gulf Coast route some prefer. Mostly free roads. First days in Tamaulipas and Veracruz states, which have bad reputations. Some rough roads near Tampico. Enough RV parks, nice scenery. Little-visisted archeological sites.
From Los Indios (near Harlingen, TX)
If you are a transmigranted you HAVE to take this route. If you don't know what that is and are going to Belize, get my FAQ. RV'ers prefer it to Matamoros as it is easy country driving. See notes about Reynosa route for rest of story. Same roads after El Tejon.
From Matamoros (Brownsville, TX)
Traditional route. Not much in favor now. People afraid of cartel activity in Matamoros and Tamaulipas state. If you're coming from central or western USA or Canada, Reynosa Gulf route saves about 100 miles. Mostly same roads as Reynosa and Los Indios. Difference is you go through Matamoros traffic, which is tough on RV's.
Laredo to Guadalajara via San Luis Potosí
One of the most popular routes. Easy driving on mostly toll roads. You do cross half an hour of mountains between Monterrey and Saltillo, but the rest is flat. Some scenic sides or you can drive straight through to Guad / Lake Chapala in 2 days.
Laredo-San Miguel de Allende-Querétaro
Most popular route. Safe drive, safe destination. Favorite with expats, artistic types.
Reynosa (McAllen) to Guadalajara / Vallarta via San Luis Potosí
See description above. Only diference is the first hour and a half. Aft that it's the same roadlog
Reynosa To San Miguel de Allende
Most popular route. Same as drive from Laredo after first couple of hours. Same distance in Mexico.
FAQ for Belize & Guatemala Drivers
There are many ways to get to Guatemala or Belize, but you MAY have to use an obscure crossing. If you qualify as a transmigrante, you have a lot of paperwork and rules to follow. Briefly, if you are moving to C.A. or have a lot of stuff or extra vehicles, you are a transmigrante. This FAQ tells you what you need to do.
To Guatemala
There are 3 routes to Guatemala. This booklet has all with maps, pros and cons. Order any route to Yucatan and this booklet.
To Belize
Just get any route to Yucatan. Belize turnoff just before Chetumal.
Road Rules - How To Drive In Mexico FAQ
Sure, you could just jump into your vehicle and take off for Mexico. How hard could it be? That, and "Hey watch this ...." are famous last lines. One of my few jobs was teaching the cast and crew on MTV's Road Rules show how to drive in Mexico and act as location scout. Kknowing a few Mexican driving customs will surely help you have a more enjoyable trip. It'll certainly be safer.
A Question or Two
Everybody's got questions. I've gpt answers, generally the correct ones. If you've gotten worn out with Internet and Facebook opinions, ask the expert.
Didn't Cancel Vehicle (TIP) or Tourist Permit?
This 7 page FAQ has the official and unofficial ways to take care of the problems.
Trip-Planning Service
Do you want to really explore Mexico? Do you just want a safe, driect route with a driving itenerary and hotels. Need pet-friendly hotels or those with secure parking? I can help you with any or all of these. I’ve made plans for families, young couples, mature couples, single men and single women of all ages. That pretty much covers the spectrum, don’t you think?
Nogales to Mazatlan
Good toll road, a few beaches to choose from, stunning desert. From AZ be in San Carlos in a few hours. Mazatlan less than a day more.
Mazatlan to Pto. Vallarta / Guadalajara
Easy drive on toll road to Vallarta or Guadalajara / Lake Chapala. Little-known attractions on the way.
Mazatlan to Durango to Zacatecas
Very scenic route over Baluarte Bridge, then on to historic old colonial mining town of Zacatecas
Reynosa to Durango to Mazatlan
Thanks to the Peunte Baluarta between Durango city and Mazatlan, you can drive from the East coast to the West in an easy 2 days or less. Better yet, spend a few days in the Sierras with waterfalls, burding, hiking and an Alpine setting.
Copper Canyon
Bigger than the Grand Canyon. Native peoples. Waterfalls. Hot Springs. Mountains. Famous train ride. Coming soon or by special order.
Huasteca Potosina
Mexico's most scenic and unkonwn area. Watefalls, birding. hot spring, Mission Route, Xilitla. Must see!
Oaxaca-Chiapas
Folk Arts, Artisans, Waterfalls, Mountains, Beaches. Oaxaca & Chiapas pretty much have it all.
