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robt65

Nov 10, 2010, 3:02 AM

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Returning to Queretaro

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Hello All,

I am returning in two weeks to San Juan del Rio via MX 101 from Matamoros to C.D. Victoria to Tula skirting around San Luis Potosi via hwy 57 and on to Queretaro and San Juan del Rio. has anyone heard any recent road reports of this area. I have read some of the Borderland Beat, as well as Blogdelnarco, but as you know my family (wife, children and in-laws are there. Any better routes you might suggest. The worst part is I have a new plain white GMC crew cab, towing a thirty footer behind. I plan on leaving the rig very dirty and maybe even throwing mud at it. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

I am hoping to be able to make Tula by nightfall. Next day heading on to San Juan del Rio. Any suggestions or alternate routes?

Has anyone recently (very recently) taken any of these routes I plan to take? What is the verdict? Maybe I am not correct, but I can't see getting a Green Angel escort a real answer. Besides, I cannot see the Green Angels going that far. What do you all think?

I am also traveling solo. I would appreciate any updates for the next week or so.

Thanks One and All,

robt65

Brian

Nov 10, 2010, 7:28 AM

Post #2 of 15 (4787 views)

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Re: [robt65] Returning to Queretaro

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The situation is too fluid to predict from day to day. Just because someone had an uneventful trip yesterday doesn't mean someone else will be so lucky tomorrow. I am very familiar with your route and your options are limited. If I were making the trip today, I would eschew the local roads around and south of Ciudad Victoria and instead take the autopistas 2D and 40D towards Monterrey until joining Hwy 57 there.

(This post was edited by Brian on Nov 10, 2010, 7:32 AM)

Altahabana

Nov 10, 2010, 11:26 AM

Post #3 of 15 (4737 views)

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Re: [robt65] Returning to Queretaro

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I do know the conflict between the Zetas and Gulf cartel has heated up in central and southern Tamaulipas over the past two months. If you are checking Blog del Narco you can see how brutal it has become. I don't know whether the fighting is directly affecting road conditions but I suspect there are fewer people traveling.

This website has forums with local input. If not 100% reliable it will at least give you a sense of what rumors are flying around.

http://gruporeforma.reforma.com/...0&EstadoSelecc=2

robt65

Nov 10, 2010, 2:12 PM

Post #4 of 15 (4721 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] Returning to Queretaro

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Hello Altahabana,

I came NOB on the same route at the end of the third week of September. As I had stated in a previous post, there was definately something going on about thirty minutes to one hour north of C. D. Victoria. A gazillion Feds at a Fed roadblock. I am now be returning with the 30 foot travel trailer If I can get from Matamoros to say Tula or even to the outskirts of San luis Potosi, I will be a somewhat contented camper! It is much slower going with a trailer of that size. I always feel a lot better when I reach that point. I know that San Luis Potosi also has had some small action last week. I have been keeping my eyes on Blog del Narco as well as Borderland Beat. I am leaving KY., on Saturday and headed first to Mississippi to pick up a couple of lazy boys for the trailer and then on to Texas for a couple of days, before crossing at Matamoros. Still all in all probably the most prudent route to take after crossing into Mexico . . . don't you think? I would appreciate it if you do hear of anything happening between Matamoros and C.D. Victoria please let me know by PM, if you would.

Thanks Again,
robt65

robt65

Nov 10, 2010, 2:40 PM

Post #5 of 15 (4716 views)

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Re: [Brian] Returning to Queretaro

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Altahabana

Nov 10, 2010, 4:17 PM

Post #6 of 15 (4698 views)

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Re: [robt65] Returning to Queretaro

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Robert:

I have friends and clients in Ciudad Victoria and Tampico. They report things in general are very bad in the area because of the fighting. I have no specific information about what is happening on the highways, but a couple of friends in Tampico are postponing trips to McAllen which they had planned for this week. I wouldn't secondguess their decision and I would bet traffic levels in general will be way down. The takedown of Ezequiel "Tony" Cardenas in Brownsville last week is only going to make the situation worse.

I have no first hand knowledge of highway conditions, but Tamaulipas in general in very unstable and has been for the last four/five months. I don't know that Hwy 101 and points south is as bad as the Riberena road between Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa but quite frankly I think most Mexican drivers would take another route. The fact that you took the same route six weeks ago and made it really isn't a reliable indication of what you might experience on this trip.

I personally would cross in Laredo and take the autopista to Monterry-Saltillo and then south on Hwy 57. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

NOTE: Blog del Narco reports there was a balacera between gunmen from the Zetas and the Gulf cartel this morning starting around 9 a.m. in Villa Hermosa which lasted about 90 minutes. It was broken up by the Marines. I think incidents like this will be the norm over the next few weeks as the Zetas try to increase their hold over certain areas in Tamaulipas as a result of the death of Cardenas.

(This post was edited by Altahabana on Nov 10, 2010, 4:43 PM)

robt65

Nov 10, 2010, 7:00 PM

Post #7 of 15 (4663 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] Returning to Queretaro

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Hello again altahabana,

I think that you remember last year when I was going to Altamira / Tampico a lot. That has all ceased. I moved my wife's parents in with us in Queretaro. everyone is a lot happier now. I could see it was starting to get pretty last year and so I asked my wife if she would ask her parents to live with us. All the family is much more at ease and content.

Now I have no need to travel through that area of Soto la Marina , Aldama, Tampico and such. I only take the MX 101 due south until I can make a right (skirting around C. D. Victoria) and on to Tula and San Luis Potosi or beyond. Usually I can make this trip from Matamoros to San Juan del Rio in 11 hours even with the smaller cargo trailer. Only this time I am towing a 30 foot travel trailer and never go faster than (55 or 60 mph) 80 or 90 kph. It is about 4.5 hours from Matamoros to C. D. Vicoria and another 2.5 hours to Tula . . . . . . longer depending upon he number of "checkpoints", if any. If I cannot make San Luis Potosi by sundown then I will stay in Tula. It is a nice clean small pueblo with some good inexpensive hotels and cafes. Early the next morning head out to San Juan del rio. Should be able to make that in about another six hours.

knowing what is happening as soon as possible on these roads gives me a personal sense of control of what I will do. So far . . . . no black beans. With the grace of God I hope that will continue.

robt65

Reefhound

Nov 10, 2010, 7:39 PM

Post #8 of 15 (4651 views)

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Re: [robt65] Returning to Queretaro

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Have you ever done the Laredo-Monterrey-Saltillo and down Mx57 route? I think it's the fastest and easiest route to your destination although a lot more cuotas.

robt65

Nov 14, 2010, 6:02 PM

Post #9 of 15 (4554 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Returning to Queretaro

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Hello Reefhound,

You said . . . . "Have you ever done the Laredo-Monterrey-Saltillo and down Mx57 route? I think it's the fastest and easiest route to your destination although a lot more cuotas. "

No I never have been that route. I have become very familiar with all the Aduana, permit and immigration / customs folks at Matamoros. I have been through there so many times. I am not at all familiar with the Laredo crossing. How far or how long a trip is it for example from the crossing to San Luis Potosi area? Remember, I will be driving a new GMC crew cab with a 32 foot travel trailer. Just how many cuotas are there between the crossing and say Queretaro? Is there a fairly safe route to take after crossing from Matamoros and then to Monterrey and on to MX 57?

robt65

Reefhound

Nov 14, 2010, 6:35 PM

Post #10 of 15 (4537 views)

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Re: [robt65] Returning to Queretaro

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Familiarity is always helpful but the crossing details are not that different. Although it is a bit of a pain to get to the immigration bldg at Nvo Laredo. For me, I'd rather deal with a few minutes more at the border than another hour or two of driving.

There are lots of cuotas and I only know about how much for cars not trucks and trailers. The first one is a biggie, from Nvo Laredo to Monterrey is about $180 pesos for cars. Then the periferico around Monterrey is about $70. Another couple of short ones through the mountains adding another $100. A cuota around Matehuala is only $25 and around SLP is about $50. It adds up to a lot but I think it's straighter and fewer miles, and you might gain some of it back in better fuel economy. And of course the cuotas are cheap compared to losing the truck.

If you cross at Matamoros and cut across to Monterrey and then to 57, you're crossing some of the most dangerous parts. Kind of defeats the purpose. 57 is nice 4 lane divided highway from where you come out of the Saltillo mountains all the way down past Qto to your exit. Actually you'll be on 4 lane highway from about when you pass the interior checkpoint.

chinagringo

Nov 15, 2010, 6:11 AM

Post #11 of 15 (4478 views)

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Re: [robt65] Returning to Queretaro

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Robt:

I just checked the which follows and it does give one the option of getting to toll estimate for a vehicle towing a trailer with either one or two axles:

http://aplicaciones4.sct.gob.mx/...a&eligeIdioma=si
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

dongringo_catemaco

Nov 15, 2010, 8:15 AM

Post #12 of 15 (4464 views)

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Re: [robt65] Returning to Queretaro

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This site is a pain in the neck to figure out, but it gives the tolls for all axles of all casetas.
https://www.iave.mx/iave/Tarifas.aspx

On the bottom of the page it has a "Descargar tarifas" link. Download it and it gives you all the tariffs for all axles
Visit Catemaco News

(This post was edited by dongringo_catemaco on Nov 15, 2010, 8:17 AM)

mlfoto

Nov 15, 2010, 7:08 PM

Post #13 of 15 (4418 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Returning to Queretaro

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I've done the Laredo-Monterrey-Saltillo, Queretero route NB and SB. Felt very safe, good roads, enough traffic so we didn't feel isolated. Cross at Laredo early on a Sunday AM and the lines in the "Goods to Declare" will not look long, but the day we did it, several Mexican plated pickups were stacked above the cabs with stuff (two hours on Sept 26). With a trailer, you've got no choice. We did Bridge #1, I've heard #2 is maybe faster when there is a line at #1.

Did the route along the coast once. Never again. Slow, poorly marked, lots of traffic, plus the current cartel issues.

M

Brian

Nov 19, 2010, 5:06 AM

Post #14 of 15 (4289 views)

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Re: [mlfoto] Returning to Queretaro

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Here is specific advice from the Mexican government regarding travel between the USA and Queretaro:

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/724580.html

(This post was edited by Rolly on Nov 19, 2010, 6:52 AM)

chinagringo

Nov 19, 2010, 6:23 AM

Post #15 of 15 (4271 views)

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Re: [Brian] Returning to Queretaro

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Interesting article and advice. With respect to traveling in caravans as suggested, there are those who contend that caravans simply provide a greater opportunity for to get a larger group all at once. This incident in Sinaloa with three vehicles traveling in a caravan seems to confirm a greater opportunity for the bad boys. Personally, I drive too fast to even think about it but I guess I would slow down if it meant traveling in safety with an armed escort. The previously mentioned plan of using the Green Angels seems to be limited in merit since they are not armed (that I am aware of) and I cannot imagine them being willing to "die for the cause".
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM