Email & ShareEditor’s Note: On our three websites (Yucatan Living, Yucatan YES and YoListo), there probably isn’t a day that goes by where someone doesn’t ask us about the safety of driving through Mexico. Many Americans and Canadians want to drive to the Yucatan when they come to visit for longish periods of time, or when they move here to live. Often, they are driving their vehicles full of their belongings and carrying valued family pets as well.
Always cognizant of the media’s reports of violence in Mexico, everyone wants to be as safe as possible. By now they know they will be safe when they get to the Yucatan Peninsula, but how will they travel through Mexico with the same sense of safety? Dr. Stephen Fry has gathered statistics and experiences to help you map the ideal route through Mexico in the following article.
As always, we are not pretending that this is the definitive solution, but merely a good "serving suggestion" based on knowledge, investigation and experience. We welcome your helpful comments!
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Traveling With Safety In Mind
There are a group of questions that pop-up regularly from Americans and Canadians who are thinking about visiting Mexico or moving to Mexico. With increasing highway violence on some routes, and the Drug War claiming over 40,000 lives in the past four years, safety has become a prime concern for many travelers and visitors to Mexico.
Fortunately, there is little or no evidence of Canadians or Americans being targeted for violence as they travel around Mexico or if they live there. Nevertheless, the reality is that some Mexican states have less-than-desireable violent crime rates on their roadways and in the cities. Some states have rates of violence that rival Detroit, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. Just as we tend to avoid dangerous neighborhoods in most cities in the USA or Canada or elsewhere in the world, we also want to avoid the dangerous neighborhoods of Mexico by choosing our travel routes wisely. We are not interested in going into gory details of violence here. Instead, we want to use some of the available tools that go beyond personal stories of uneventful trips or horror stories of hijackings, and try to approach the issue with a modicum of scientific procedure.
Realities and Risks
If safety and easy smooth travel are significant concerns, then check out this website that shows Murder Numbers and Murder Rates for Mexican Municipalities. This gives you a map of the past and recent crime rates for Mexico by state, by county and by city. You can click on either the murder “Rate” button or the “Absolute” button for numbers of murders. Putting the cursor on a particular municipality pulls up the last 20 years of data.
Based on the information in this site, you can pick a route based on a statistical level of risk based on the past five years. (Of course, as anyone who has ever invested money knows, past performance is no indication of future performance… but it’s the best thing we’ve got.)
Border Crossing Choices 
Your first choice for your route through Mexico to the Yucatan boils down to which border crossing you choose, since the city of your border crossing determines which state and what highways you use while traveling south. By checking the statistics and the map, Piedras Negras/Eagle Pass appears to be the safest and shortest route for travelers coming from east of the Rocky Mountains, but it will take Midwestern and Eastern drivers a bit futher west than the most direct (but statistically more hazardous) coastal route.
Another safe border crossing choice is Laredo/Nuevo Laredo, going on to Monterrey and Saltillo. There are higher risk zones in Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey, but if you cross early and stay on the main highways, with no forays into town, the statistics are also favorable. Based on the numbers, this route is statistically safer than driving through Dallas, and you can check out the statistics for the state of Nuevo Leon (Monterrey’s state) to reassure yourself.
Let’s say you choose the Piedras Negras crossing. The low murder rates and low numbers of murder rates for Piedras Negras confirms why many Norteños on other Mexican travel web forums advise using the Eagle Pass border crossing (see links to this map at end of article). Piedras Negras has an annual murder rate of just 5.11 persons per 100,000, which compares very favorably with Miami (15.4 per 100,000) and Dallas (11.3), and is even less than San Francisco (5.9). Would you think twice about driving through San Francisco? You might be afraid of having difficulty navigating your way through it, but we doubt you would avoid it based on fear of murder.
When you leave Piedras Negras, you cross areas of Mexico that have had zero homicides in 2010. By comparison, if you investigate the various counties (municipalities) on the crime map we have been using for reference, you will find that the coastal route goes through the state of Tamaulipas with 290 murders per 100,000 people, making Detroit’s 41 murders per 100,000 pale in comparison. It also ought to make you think twice about traveling along the coastal route south of Brownsville, which goes right through the state of Tamaulipas.
Here’s another statistical resource you can use to check if you have chosen the right route. The statistics published by the FBI say that the city of Piedras Negras and the state of Nuevo Leon have a combined lower murder rate than Texas’s 1,250 murders for 25 million residents.
If you choose the border crossing with the lowest violent crime rates, you’ll find that there are excellent interstate highways into San Antonio from various directions, followed by good roads from San Antonio over to Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras. The route south out of Piedras Negras on Highway 57 is a good road. It takes you to the interstate 57D toll road to Infonavit, and then back on Highway 57 through to Monclova and on south to Saltillo, and then on to Queretaro.
We know the route through Brownsville looks shorter on the map, but actually the route south out of Brownsville to Veracruz is surprisingly slow. The road is a two-lane highway with hundreds of pueblos with 15 mile-per-hour speed limits, thousands of topes, and a lot of unmarked road construction that has damaged the suspension on our vehicle and number of friend’s vehicles in the past. Yes, it is a picturesque route. But if you are looking for speed and safety, it isn’t your best bet.
Because of the better quality roads and many four-lane high-speed super highways, swinging over through San Antonio and using the Eagle Pass crossing may look further on a map, but your actual travel time will probably be less. The route increases safety and speed for only a modest added distance:
- Memphis to Piedras Negras = 875 miles
- Piedras Negras to Merida = 1587 miles
- Memphis to Brownsville = 928 miles
- Brownsville to Merida = 1271 miles
- Memphis – Piedras Negras – Merida:
Total: 2,462 miles - Memphis – Brownsville – Merida:
Total: 2,200 miles - Difference: 260 miles
- Memphis-Laredo-Villahermosa = 2040 miles
- Memphis-Brownsville-Villahermosa = 1860 miles
- Difference: 180 miles
Would you rather drive 180 to 260 extra miles on excellent US Interstate highways, good safe roads in Northern Mexico, and mostly high speed tollways with no topes through the rest of Mexico? Or would you prefer the coast road’s thousands of topes, some dangerous mountain driving, hundreds of small towns and the statistically higher risk of robbery or getting killed on the coast route? Your choice, of course. If you are coming from west of the Mississippi, it is an easy decision to choose a safer crossing like Laredo or Eagle Pass. When coming from east of the Mississippi, our experience has shown that the central route’s faster highways and the ability to pass by small towns and their topes easily made up for the extra 260 miles of going over to the safest crossing west of the Rocky Mountains.
Do Not Drive Without Car Insurance in Mexico
Before you make your decision, we should also pass on that it has come to our attention that some car insurance companies are now denying insurance coverage if you drive between Brownsville-Matamoros and Veracruz, especially if you drive an SUV. While we’re on the subject, let us caution you about auto insurance in Mexico. Do NOT get caught driving without insurance in Mexico. Expats have reported being stuck in Mexican jails with no food and no phone for up to four days while the police sort things out. They are just doing their job within the law. In Mexico, if you drive without insurance and you are in some sort of accident, you must prove that you can pay for all possible damages and medical treatments before they allow you to leave the scene of an accident.
Day 1: Laredo / Nuevo Laredo Crossing
Let’s say you plan to cross at Nuevo Laredo. No matter where you cross, it is a good idea to cross the border first thing in the morning (7:00 AM – 8:00 AM) to avoid problems or to have time to solve them if you run into any. After the crossing, you will drive through Nuevo Laredo on an easy highway, with no stopping other than for Mexican Immigration (INM) and Mexican Customs (Aduana). Customs is at the border, but Aduana‘s internal checkpoint 25 km farther on, after you have crossed the border. If you take a high speed city bypass around Monterrey, we think you will be pleased with the combination of reasonable safety, excellent roads, and a shorter route than the further west Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras crossing.
By the way, there are actually three points where you can cross the border at Laredo/Nuevo Laredo. Most old-timers advise getting off I35, and going a few blocks NW to the second crossing. This downtown crossing is about four blocks upriver of I35, and the route has good signage. This is a secondary crossing and is usually less crowded than the primary, more obvious one.
US Border Control agents have advised against staying the night in the little towns south of Laredo, so we suggest you plan to stay the night in one of the many fine hotels on the north side of Laredo not far from I35. You should have no trouble finding a room at a Best Western, La Quinta, Holiday Inn or many other US chains that have set up shop there.
After making your morning border crossing, head straight through Nuevo Laredo. Do not stop or leave Highway 85 and the toll road 85D, except for the Aduana internal checkpoint that is 25 kilometers past the border.. Similarly, when you reach Monterrey, don’t stop or stay in Monterrey. For safety’s sake, take the bypass to Highway 40D, and continue on to Saltillo. At this point, your route connects to Highway 57 and 57D (toll road sections), and takes you to Saltillo and then on to San Louis Potosi and Queretaro. Experienced travelers over the past five years consistently say that the excellent road quality on this central Mexico route might take you a little out of your way to the west, but will allow you to avoid giant potholes, road construction, topes and other hazards that will slow you down and make your journey less pleasant.
It is a pleasant day’s drive between Laredo and Queretaro, but because there are few towns between Saltillo, San Luis Potosi and Queretaro, be sure to stop for gas and food when you see promising opportunities. Queretaro is a charming city with a beautiful Plaza Principal, central park and amazing architecture. There is a lot to see in Queretaro if you want to take the time. There are "auto hotels" (easy in, easy out, cheap, clean and very secure with secure parking), on both the northern and southern edges of Queretaro if you decide not to stop to sightsee. There are also some large hotels near Interstate 57 as you drive through town, and of course, charming and interesting hotels in the city center.
Day 2: Queretaro to Villahermosa
After you pass through or stay in Queretaro, go south out of Queretaro, continuing on 57 and 57D, following signs to Puebla. When you reach it, take the Arco Norte bypass route, which takes you around Mexico City. This is a new option and much preferable to braving the intricacies of the Mexico City streets if you have no plans on stopping and sightseeing. Follow the signs to Highway 150D, another high speed toll road, and drive on to Puebla. If you want to make great time, stay on the toll roads and take the city bypass, still 150D, around Puebla. Continue on 150D toll road and then Highway 150 over to Orizaba in the mountains, and down to Cordoba on the coast. Continue on Highway 150 east out of Cordoba, until you reach Highway 145D. Take Highway 145D south to Minatitlan. At Minatitlan, you continue east on Highway 180D, where you have now joined the folks who took the troublesome coast route from Brownsville through Veracruz and on to Minatitlan.
We are going to mention the problems of the coastal route one final time. If you have been paying attention, you may have read that Veracruz has recently had so many problems with corruption, highway robberies and killings that they just fired ALL of their police, and have rehired a totally new group of law enforcement “professionals”. We are not saying these new police are corrupt or ineffectual, but we are taking note that they are new and we think it might be wise to give them some time to work out the kinks in their new system.
On the Highway 180 and 180D route to Villahermosa, there are not a lot of places to buy gas or eat between Minatitlan and Villahermosa. We suggest you refill all your gas tanks before leaving Minatitlan. Also, if you are a coffee fan, you’ll see people selling some fine highlands coffee from Los Altos de Veracruz along the route before you get to Minatitlan. Depending on the time of year, you might also see highway vendors selling pineapple juice. We can highly recommend stopping to stock up on both.
When you come to Villahermosa, you might also consider stopping and seeing a few of the Olmec basalt giant heads, various statuary and other attractions in the beautiful public park inside Villahermosa. There’s a broad selection of hotels in Villahermosa, ranging from Best Western and Holiday Inn to clean and modern local hotels for as little as $450 pesos per night. If you are traveling with dogs, the Hyatt just south of the city along the route to Merida accepts dogs in the room. Between the comfortable beds and room service meals, you’ll think you died and went to Mexican heaven.
Day 3: Villahermosa to Champoton, Campeche and (finally!) Merida
As you leave Villahermosa, you have a choice: to head up to the very pretty coastal route (Highway 180) to Ciudad del Carmen (the slower choice) or to go the faster Highway 186 inland route to Escarcega (and possibly on over to Calakmul or Chetumal if Playa Del Carmen or Cancun is your ultimate goal). The coastal route (Highway 180) is more direct and the shorter distance, but there are sections between Villahermosa and Ciudad del Carmen where there are 20 – 50 pueblos, with 15 miles-per-hour traffic, and a whole bunch of topes. In contrast, the southern route road between Villahermosa and Escarcega is mostly high-speed driving, with some sections of road construction where they are building a four-lane divided highway. Even with the construction sections, the Escarcega route is about one hour faster.
If you choose the scenic route, Ciudad del Carmen is a delightful place to stop and eat, and Highway 180 has opportunities for excellent fast driving after you navigate through Ciudad del Carmen.
If you choose the Highway 186 Escarcega route, be sure to stop and eat in Escarcega. There are few opportunities on Highway 261 between Escarcega and Asseradero. The southern Escarcega route now rejoins the pretty coastal Highway 180 route to Campeche City, (Campeche Ciudad in Spanish, to differentiate it from the State of Campeche). As you continue north, it can be worth stopping in Champoton. Champoton is a picturesque fishing city, with great places to eat along the water and gas stations… a good place to stop if you do not want to detour into Ciudad Campeche later.
Leaving Champoton
Continue going north to Campeche City. Campeche also has exceptional seafood, but if you do not take the Highway 180 city bypass, count on roughly a half hour of city driving to get through Campeche City. When you leave Campeche Ciudad, stay on Highway 180 north to Merida.
Before you know it (about two hours… and we’ll be the first to say that they seem like very long hours because you are ALMOST there…), you will find yourself in one of the Northern Hemisphere’s most charming and historic cities: Merida. Lucky you!
Bienvenidos, and glad you made it safely!
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Piedras Negras – Eagle Pass Border Crossing Map
FBI Statistics on violence in Mexican States
Stanford’s Murder Numbers and Murder Rates for Mexican Municipalities
Steven Fry writes for Yucatan Living when he isn’t writing for his own blog, Yucalandia, for which we are very grateful.
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Absolutely terrific in every respect !!!
thank you for posting this article…i am planning on visiting – driving through Mexico in the near future and this puts my mind at ease…i will also be forwarding this to my family so they know I will be ok when my dog and I visit your beautiful cities in my hunt for a small home on your beautiful coast…
thanks again for this article
Good article Steve.
The road construction between Villahermosa and Escarsega, is really dangerous, so, for me, coastal route thru Ciudad del Carmen is a must, because it’s beauty and places for eat and services.
Thanks for a truly informative article. I’m looking forward to trying out these ideas. I think for many the fastest way offers a great opportunity to see some wonderful parts of Mexico. I suggest you not zip around the outskirts of Puebla, but rather go into this great city and spend a day or two. You could easily spend a day just looking at the remarkably diverse architecture and the wonderful tiled walls. Enjoy, there is so much to see before you arrive in our beloved Merida.
Having just driven the coastal route Brownsville to Merida myself less than a month ago I can vouch for the saftey along the way. Like all gringo’s we are up early and at it and we shut down before dark. We saw no evidence of any violence! Yep some of the roads are poor but in many parts of Mexico the roads are poor. There is a by-pass around Vera Cruz and we never even get close to the city. We often stay in the “auto hotels” which we find are secure, clean, cheep, and safe. I think that “safe” is a way of thinking and a way of doing. If you think saftey and behave in ways that ensures saftey you will be pretty well off.
This is a very timely article. Can someone cover the costs of ‘toll roads’ ? Also, should we be using the Mexican $$ for tolls, gas, etc.? Are there restrictions as to the type or age of car we can have in Mexico ?
We just did it for the first time in November, crossing in Laredo. Friends advised us to use the Columbiana Bridge Aduanas checkpoint, about 15 miles west of Laredo. (It is not readily visible on AAA maps or on 2011 Guia Roji.) It was great. Very little traffic. Reasonably quick processing of docs. We stayed overnight in a motel on west side of Laredo before heading for it, as there are few motels closer than San Antonio. (Have double copies in hand of your insurance docs and passport to save time and money.) Columbia Bridge crossing is located at end of Texas Route 255.
We really enjoyed Las Palmas motel in Matahuala, which was like stepping back into the 1960′s. Got stopped by Federales on busy superhighway in Puebla. They checked our insurance docs. Very polite. No shakedown. Be sure your auto insurance back home does not expire while you are in Mexico, as some insurers here insist that you have a valid policy there before they will pay claims.
Be prepared for some roadwork which is poorly marked. We drove over raw dirt for miles which was being bulldozed while we were on it! But largely, the inland highways are modern and amazingly well made.
We are planning to drive it again next year.
~eric.
Another winner, Doc! How about an article on the best way to transport my furniture and car? I figure I can rent a u-haul and get it moved to the border but have no idea how to hook up with transport thru Mexico to my final destination or the name of movers to contact. Help!
What about driving through the western part of Mexico ? Through Guadalajara on to Nayarit , Sinaloa and Sonora to enter the U.S. through Nogales north to Tucson to catch U.S 10 to Los Angeles ? any advice on that route ???
I recently drove my SUV to Texas to bring back my household belongings, taking the shorter coastal route and trying to avoid Tampico I was assaulted in the small town of Altomira just north of Tampico, on the main divided road in the middle of town at 1:30 in the afternoon. I was hemmed in by a car behind me and a pick up in front, four guys jumped out of the pickup with guns demanding me to get out of my car. I refused and put my car in reverse and smashed into the car behind me, the 4 guys started firing their guns. My two passengers and I are lucky to be alive today. They fired 39 rounds of bullets into my car and windshild. I was stuck in Altamira for two weeks having the car repaired and then continued on. My trip back was no problem other than finding tires to fit my trailer which I had overpacked and had problems with. I wish I had read this article prior to my trip. Thanks for your great information even though I hope to never have to make the drive again.
Thank you for a most informative and helpful article!
Great article.
I wonder if you have any recommendations for those of us who live west of the Rockies? Any thoughts on western border crossings and trans-Mexico routes to Merida?
Dear Working Gringos & Dr Fry,
I have not even read this article and I want to thank you for having both written and published it. I moved from Southern California to central France 2 years ago and have kept my car stashed in a friend’s garage ever since just so I could drive from Long Beach to Mérida and stay for several months with the possibility of touring the peninsula by car. You have really made my year! Thank you sooooo much!
Hi Steven, just want to thank you immensely for your article. I have driven through Mexico a few times but that was over 6 years ago and I must admit that all the negative media coverage has gotten to me. Neverthless my wife and i and our dog are moving down to the yucatan this fall and I have been researching safe driving routes for months and your article was the most comprehensive I have read, great detail on the border crossings and highways as well as helpful tidbits about dog friendly hotels! You’ve made a guy wanting to keep his family safe feel much better. We are going to follow your advice precisely and cross at Laredo taking the 85d and then the 57d. Thanks again!
Glad that our experiences could help.
We haven’t driven the western routes from California or Arizona, so, I hesitate to offer advice on something we haven’t personally tried. When we reviewed other possible routes, the crime statistics map shows that pretty much all of the other routes through Mexico’s border states using major highways take you through much more troubled/troubling areas than the Eagle Pass / Piedras Negras crossing. Fortunately, millions of Canadians and Americans cross the Mexican border safely every year, so, our advice of heading over to Eagle Pass may be unnecessary for most travelers – while the high quality of the central Mexico route allow fast safe travel that we found much better than driving the coast route. (Choosing your route includes more than just the border crossing.)
For perspective on safety in Mexico, here’s a link to some facts about the 22 million or so annual safe visitor visits to Mexico, that helped us put things into perspective: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/a-vacation-to-sunny-mexico-safety-wise-you-could-do-a-lot-worse/article2313883/page1/
For Californians & Arizonans who choose the currently safest border state to cross: I would expect that taking I-8 out of San Diego or I-10 across Arizona & New Mexico to San Antonio would make for fast easy east-west travel – likely faster than traversing Mexico east-west?? We have driven I-10 from California through New Mexico, and found it pleasant. (You get US scenery vs. Mexico scenery.)
I’m confident that there are other safe and fun routes, especially for those who like a more leisurely drive.
Happy Trails!
Ron,
Sorry to hear of the troubles you had on the coast route – shocking. I’m very glad that none of the 39 hits on your vehicle resulted in personal harm to you or others. Tamaulipas has had a bad reputation for roadway violence for a long time among my Mexican family and friends.
Best wishes for Happy Trails to all of you.
Great article. I do have two questions. We are looking at transporting personal property in a company owned vehicle with the company listed on the title and insurance. The last name of driver matches that of the company. Problem???
Next. Is diesel fuel available on these routes?
Patti,
If the car is not registered in your name, you will need a notarized letter granting you permission to import the vehicle into Mexico, signed by the owner or business. This is the same letter as when the vehicle has a lien against it or if it is leased.
I believe that all the Pemex stations we stopped at, also carried diesel fuel – because these are also major truck routes.
Happy Trails.
Someone asked about tolls. I find this Mexican Government website to be and excellent source of information:
http://tinyurl.com/3k79dbf
Thanks so much for posting! I will be moving to Mérida and will use your advice! I was very leary about entering via Matamoros and going down along the coast! I’m glad to see that your route is not many more miles. I encourage anybody who makes this trek to post their experiences! Please!!!
There are reports from the internet that some sections of the central route’s tollways are now in need of repair – unraveling since we last drove through – outside of the road construction in and out of Escarcega. We’d appreciate specific updates of what sections of road have deteriorated.
Happy Trails
This website,give you Kms, miles,and cost on routes all aroun Mexico
http://aplicaciones4.sct.gob.mx/sibuac_internet/ControllerUI?action=cmdEscogeRuta
We have driven hundreds of miles around the Yucatan without incident (it is easier and safer than driving in the UK) As long as you take care in the towns and have the right documents you will be okay. For longer, less circular trips we prefer to take the bus, but still think driving would be okay.
Dr. Fry, thank you so much for taking the time to share this information in a matter of months I will be taking this journey from Houston to Merida as well, it is a very welcoming to read your comments.
What a great article! My wife and I recently spent some time in Merida (Dec. 2011) during our vacation in Cancun. My father was born in Merida and I wanted to spend more time there than I had when I first vacationed in Cancun (Jan. 2001). Loved it!
This article is making me think long and hard about driving the next time I visit Merida and the Yucatan. Very helpful and practical information. Thanks again.
I admit that I have not read all of the comments, so apologize upfront if I am repeating information. I would not cross from Laredo to Neuvo Laredo. About 20 miles before Laredo is the Columbia International Solidarity Bridge that leads directly to the main toll road. The crossing is speedy as few people move through this route. I’ve crossed there for over 10 years. It is safe and fast. I by-pass Mexico City via the Archo de Norte Auto Pistao. A dream of a hwy with stunning vistas. It takes you directly into Puebla Centro.
Benne’
Perfect. Do you know the current operating hours of the Columbia bridge crossing?
We understand that the bridge is only open for limited times, especially on Sunday:
(Past) Hours of Operation
8:AM – 12 Midnight Monday – Friday
8:AM – 4PM Saturday
12 Noon – 4PM Sunday
Can you describe the specifics of where to exit and enter on both sides of the border?
Steve
I have driven hundreds of miles around the Yucatan Penisula without any trouble of any kind. Most roads are easier and less crowded than the UK. We are thinking of extending northward toward Oaxaca, then maybe a trip south from US next year.
I have heard that the police in and around Saltillo are notorious for demanding mordidas, but have not personally had the ‘pleasure’ of driving through there.
Any thoughts from readers?
Great article. Thanks!
Kim G
Boston, MA
Where we do not recommend driving if you don’t know the city.
March 14, 2012 Border crossing and minor route updates:
There have been some particularly nasty events reported for Columbia Bridge crossing, esp. one on March 1. Local expats who live in Nuevo Laredo report that they continue to use Bridge 2 as their choice safest route for their daily border crossings in the area – and warn people off the Columbia Bridge crossing.
I think that I forgot to mention in the main article to take city bypasses when possible. Case in point: if you use the Piedras Negras / Eagle Pass crossing, recent local reports strongly advise taking the Saltillo bypass.
Happy Trails,
Steve
Due to recent violence in Nuevo Laredo, the Piedras Negras/Eagle Pass offers the safest route these days across the border.
EARLY MORNING Nuevo Laredo city crossings at Bridge 2 – center of town – with NO stopping in Nuevo Laredo (fill your tank before leaving Laredo, Texas), or outside Nuevo Laredo is also a safe way. Tamaulipas – the Coast Route – continues to be quite dangerous in both cities AND rural areas (especially vs. the historically small risks of morning violence that occur inside Nuevo Laredo City – and even lower rural risks along the rural sections of the Central Route).
Heading from Daytona Beach to Tulum and your article should be required reading for everyone driving !!! I have been online for days looking for an article like this and its much appreciated..
Looking from your last post there seams to be big issues there…..
I know your suggesting the Piedras crossing and obviously safety is a concern but that adds almost 500 miles to my trip. Im driving a 2003 Ford Expedition……. I lived in Puerto Aventuras for over a year and Im pretty familiar with the overblown reports….. But there is still some obvious border crossing concerns…..
Any other advice or suggestions will be fantastic…. Thanks to everyone in advance..
Yet more trouble (again) on the Mexican highway to Monterrey coming from the World Trade Bridge and Columbia Bridge crossings. The Laredo Morning Times reported gun battles in areas outside of Nuevo Laredo, and gunfire on Monday at the World Trade Bridge.
Current advice from a local expat who lives in Nuevo Laredo still recommends using the downtown Bridge #2 crossing – or drive the few extra miles over to Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras crossing.
Updated information on US-Mexico border crossings – from Mexconnect:
There is a newer crossing just to the west side of Nogales…. the Mariposa Crossing. Going north-bound, the Mariposa truck crossing is faster because the trucks are diverted into the right lane while cars travel in the left lane right to the border. I never travel through the town of Nogales…..day or night.
Here are some subsequent comments with good details about using the previous Nogales – Mariposa Crossing info above, borrowed from Mexconnect.com:
“Use the Mariposa crossing which is Exit 4 off I-19 going south. Turn right (heading west) and Mariposa Rd ends at the border crossing. Answer some questions, drive past some barricades and cross over. Stop at KM 21 to complete paperwork and get vehicle permit.
I would also suggest staying in Navojoa overnight as it’s only about a 4 hour drive to San Carlos and another 3 hours to Navojoa. Navojoa has many nice motels to choose from. ”
One other tip: follow the truck route when traveling through Hermosillo to circumvent the downtown area. “
I know it has been asked already but I couldn’t see a reply. Is there a company that you can have your vehicle shipped? Or is there a group like Vagabudos Del Mar in Baja that you could drive down in a caravan?
Thanks for the great information. !!!!
Linea Peninsular will ship an auto to Progreso for you.
http://www.lineaships.com/
We are planning to repatriate to Merida. We where thinking of driving (on a tourist visa) and getting the paperwork done down there. We are bit concerned about having to drive back just to visit US. Is it possible to leave the car in Merida while we return for a weekend?
Of course! People do it all the time…
Working Gringos is not aware of the laws on this. Your car’s Temporary Import Permit is valid only as long as your visa is valid. When you fly out of Mexico, INM takes your FMM and your car permit expires on that day. You signed an agreement with Aduana to take the car out of Mexico before your INM permit expires – plus you forfeit your $$$ deposit.
One legitimate option is to fly out, forcing the expiration of your Temporary Import Permit. When you return, do not drive the car, but instead apply for a Safe Return Permit from Aduana.** This permit is good for 3 – 5 days, and you then legally drive the car to a border (5 hours to Belize at Chetumal) . You take the car into Belize briefly (into the Free Zone) and immediately return into Mexico, using your new FMM to register the car under a new Temporary Import Permit.
Alternately, you could convert your FMM (tourist visa) into an FM3 while you are here, and your car’s permit would be good and the car would be legal, for as long as you keep the FM3.
Does anyone know a shorter route between Cancun and Merida…that does not pass through Valladolid?
Linde, if you take the cuota road (the highway), you don’t actually drive through Valladolid. This is the fastest way between Cancun and Merida and takes about 3.5 to 4 hours. The other road, the one that actually goes through Valladolid, also goes through every other little town along the way. That’s called the libre road, because it is free. You don’t have to pay a toll. But it takes easily two more hours.
Wonderful article! thanks so much
In 1973 we drove through the jungle to a hotel from Merida. There was in the jungle an English restaurant (awesome), a very chic restaurant just arising out of the jungle. It was hours before we got to the hotel (British, I think). Owners of the hotel got us gas so after 3 days stay at this most beautiful hotel, we could drive on a well traveled road to the airport. So much for stories cautioning us to not get lost in jungle as the natives would cut off our fingers to get rings, etc.
A friend and I are planning to drive to Merida between August 15th and September 1st. We are thinking of crossing the border from the US at Eagle Pass in Texas and then head down Highway 57. We will have the car filled (including stuff on the roof) with personal household stuff. Thinking to stop at night at Saltillo, Queretaro, Puebla and Villahermosa. Does anyone have an update if this is the safest way to travel and also, anyone know of particular hotels with secure parking in any of these areas? Any info would be really helpful.
I’ve posted some useful details about crossing into Mexico near Laredo here: MeridaGOround.com
Thanks, Eric! We know our readers appreciate as much information and first hand accounts as possible!
Thanks to everyone posting! If I drive from California to Merida any other suggestions? Will be my first time crossing the border by car. Will be in a passenger van with cats and belongings. At border crossing will I have to remove/ unpack my belongings for border patrol to inspect my van? If so, I need to prepare my cats for that. Also, does anyone have comments on me doing this drive alone? safe? 46 white male, speaks some rudimentary spanish. Pleasant travels and thanks for any comments!! -Jack
Jack, we did the same thing (California to Merida). Our advice to you is to plan to leave the States early in the morning and get as far into Mexico as you can for the first night. We spent the first night in San Carlos, which was beautiful and definitely doable (we crossed in Arizona). No, they don’t ask you to unpack at the border… in fact, they don’t even look in your car 99% of the time. Pretty sure they will not ask you to take the cats out either. You cross the border, and then about 30 miles into Mexico, when you are leaving the “free” zone, you have to fill out paperwork and pay for your car permit… and that’s about it! We had a blast traveling through Mexico… have a great trip!
I am moving to Merida in September with some furniture. Are these ‘auto hotels’ mentioend in one of the posts safe to leave the truck there overnight? Any recommendations? Thanks.
In most auto hotels, you bring your car into the hotel, and sometimes even into your own personal garage. It is probably the safest place to park a car full of furniture!
Agreed: They are generally very safe, where many have you park your car in a personal private garage that locks the vehicle in with you, in with your suite of rooms. The auto hotel on the southern edge of Queretaro that we enjoyed also had a large lot, directly adjoining the hotel buildings, surrounded by a 12 ft high stone wall, thick solid steel gates, and a night watchman there all night – which was great for our pick-up truck / trailer combination.
These “auto hotels” are meant for couples-only, right? I have been turned away, as a family with children. I got the impression that they were questionable places that came with some interesting services…but I know a lot of retirees that love them because they can sneak their pets in (since they have garages). My husband and I have drive all through Mexico, and our favorite border crossing is actually in Arizona–the Lukeville. We’ve also done Laredo and Eagle Pass…and Eagle Pass wasn’t bad, either! We’ve driven all over the country with 3 kids in tow, and have fortunately never had even an inkling of trouble (okay–minus one corrupt cop bribery incident in Acapulco)!! Mexico is definitely worth the visit!
After driving a fifth wheel RV down the East Coast from Ottawa, Canada for fifteen years to the Yucatan without problems other than corrupt well dressed police in Tampico with their portable speed signs, we feel very comfortable on the coastal route.
We cross at Los Indios, a small crossing south of San Benito. It unfortunately only opens at 9 am. Takes about 45 minutes to clear border. Continue south past open farm fields on level highways towards Victoria. Before reaching Victoria, take the unusual exit towards Tampico Alto. The road is very good. At the fishing vessel on the pedestal on the outskirts of Tampico, turn right to the bypass. Watch your speed here as the police here LOVE your money. We usually drive to Naranjos 700 km, first day, parking at a Pemex among the trucks.
Second day, to Villahermosa 820 km, use toll roads were possible at a cost of $1229 peso this year. As for pine apple juice, only purchase what you can drink that day as it will forment in fridge overnight. There has been steady inprovements in the road bed in receint years with few poor sections left. Bypass Vericruz and Posa Rico completely. We have stayed in a Wal-mart parking lot in Villahermosa without problems for years, up and down.
Third day. Villahermosa to Merida 600 km. Take inland route to Champoton via Escarcega but make sure to refuel before leaving in the am as no fuel for long stretches then four or five stations in 2 or 3 km. Roads are excellent.
From Campeche to Merida, expect delays as the whole section in State of Campeche seems to be under construction to a divided highway.’
DO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT! Bring enough pesos with you for tolls and fuel so you do not have to visit a bank machine on the way down. HAVE A GREAT TRIP! YOU ARE SAFER THAN IN MANY US PLACES!
Thanks for those tips, guys!! Many people will appreciate them.
For the last 8 years I have driven from Dallas, TX to Acapulco in a 2002 Ram pick up with only 2 Dogs. I have never had any problems………BUT today I would be more cautious and drive an OLD Reliable truck. Even though I am Mexican, I feel that I need to take more precautions. Acapulco is not Yucatan……This is just my 2 cents of info.
Crossed @ Laredo – Bridge II May 8th 2013 – cursory inspection – paper work completed in 20 minutes (pre-purchased car permit online). Followed 85 to 57 – good roads. 1st night at Las Palmas in Matehuala – great place by the way.
2nd night in Puebla @ Holidayexpress – right hand side of rt 57 because if you arrive in Puebla between 7-10 AM OR 3-7 PM, there is a HUGE traffic backup due to construction and well, traffic. Arco Norte is great – easy to miss – buy gas before getting on – one Pemex being built – no other chance the whole Arco Norte. 3rd night in Palenque (had to re-visit the place). Stayed at Los Leones after going thru town on road to ruins. OK place – no hot water and food was not that good! But close to ruins. Federales were staying at the hotel – nice guys – felt secure ! Road from Puebla to Palenque good, but lots of down the mountain type roads. Stayed 2 nights there. 5th night in Mahahual. The construction before and after Escarcega is not a happy experience and I drove it on a Sunday! Then the topes really start on Route 186 and the beginning of Route 307. But arrived in Mahahual around 2 PM. Stayed at Hotel Mahahual. OK place. Some AC, some TV channels in English, but no WiFi. ATM machines right there and the beach is 50 yards or so away. There are plenty of cafes/restaurants on the beach w/ WiFi – just take the laptop and stroll until you find one. I felt no trepidation at any time – never stopped by police and was treated kindly by all I met on the way down. Gotta love this country !
Thanks for the report, Andy! And glad that all went well!