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hamoil

Nov 10, 2010, 6:20 PM

Post #1 of 9 (4238 views)

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Denver to Guadalahara by car

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My crazy son wants to drive with a buddy from Denver to Guadalahara. Somebody please give me something I can use to discourage him.

chinagringo

Nov 11, 2010, 10:58 AM

Post #2 of 9 (4184 views)

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Re: [hamoil] Denver to Guadalahara by car

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Sent you a PM - please check your "Message Box".
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

RickS

Nov 11, 2010, 11:48 AM

Post #3 of 9 (4176 views)

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Re: [hamoil] Denver to Guadalahara by car

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Well, if I gave you something to discourage your son I'd have to use the information for myself too because my wife and I will be making that same trip in about a month. Been there done that several times before but that was then and this is now.

I recognize that, with all the serious news that is coming out of Mexico, one must take pause and determine for themselves whether it is OK to drive into/in Mexico. And if so, what areas should one maybe avoid like the plague and which ones could one determine to use with nothing more than heightened awareness.

My normal route from Denver to Guadalajara does NOT ever take me through El Paso/Juarez although if one looked on the map that is exactly the route one would suspect I'd take... right down I25 all the way. But of course that sends one either right through Juarez or, like chinagringo does coming from Albuquerque, taking the Santa Teresa crossing just a bit west of El Paso. And although the Santa Teresa is a much preferable way to cross rather than Juarez, it still sooner than later puts one right back on Cuota 45 just south of Juarez.

My route of choice has always been this: from Denver down I25 into New Mexico but instead of staying on I25 and thus swinging west just to come back east, I turn south off I25 just below Las Vegas onto highway 84 and basically head for Carlsbad. The ultimate goal is to cross the border at Presidio Texas/ Ojinaga Mexico and from there cut cross-country on a good road and join Cuota 45 at Cuidad Camargo which is a good 200km south of Chihuahua City. From there, the route to Guadalajara would be the same.

The benefits of this route are: a straighter shot than veering west, then untimately back east in Mexico; not getting anywhere close to Juarez and it's environs; driving in the US much longer, about 150 miles or so; crossing at a wonderful/small crossing rather than either of the ones closer to El Paso; not paying as much in tolls - you miss all those from Juarez to Camargo.... probably $40's worth. And did I mention steering way clear of Juarez!

So if it's Juarez or that border area in general that you are worried about, consider my route. If it is just the fact that he is considering driving/being anywhere in Mexico at this time, I can't give you any help there.

(This post was edited by RickS on Nov 11, 2010, 11:51 AM)

salto_jorge

Nov 12, 2010, 10:59 AM

Post #4 of 9 (4093 views)

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Re: [RickS] Denver to Guadalahara by car

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One can always Fly, the prices change all the time.
Frontier flys from Den to PV (I typed GDL) and then you need to take the Bus (to GDL).
USAirways has cheap flights compared to others, but charge for luggage.

I have driven and taken the plane, its a long ride, a plane ride should take from 6-7 hrs unless you purchase a higher end ticket.

======================================

It is like it used to be prior to 15 years ago when bandits were on the road.

This is my Route and what We do from Colorado to GDL.

Purchase insurance on the internet, include trailer if you have one or it can void your ins coverage.

Can get papers at consulate in denver.

I25 to hatch to deming to tucson to Nog US, spend the night away from the border plus fill the tank and check the oil and tires.

Then at 6am or so get up and get across the border heading south on the toll road.
Get papers at KM 15 and go for it.
Never stop at small towns for anything.
If truckers are stopping, stop also.
Do not tell others on the road where you are going, not even passing.
If anything if anyone asks in english at a store/station you are in a convoy, nothing else.
I usually stop for a rest at Mataz, or PV before winding up the mountains to GDL.
Give yourself 6 hrs from PV to GDL in the mountains.

I do drive down the middle of the road.
I do speed.
I do have Mx insurance for one year, its cheaper then by the day or 6 mos.

I have stopped at a questionable check point more then once.
One has been observed where the road to durango leaves the main route, maybe the road is used for illegal activity.

Have copies of your passaport.
Do not carry cash, I use an atm once I get there.

====================================================

You have Hotel Costs, fuel costs plus toll road charges ( $110 ), each way.

(This post was edited by salto_jorge on Nov 13, 2010, 6:20 AM)

chinagringo

Nov 12, 2010, 3:58 PM

Post #5 of 9 (4036 views)

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Re: [salto_jorge] Denver to Guadalahara by car

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Salto Jorge:

In reading through your post, some questions come to mind:
1) Why through Nogales, Mazatlan, etc. since when you were in Hatch, you were about an hour to an hour and a half from the Santa Teresa, NM border crossing and a more direct route down MX Hwy 45 towards Guadalajara?
2) You infer that you drive from Nogales to Mazatlan before stopping? Can't do that without driving in the dark, can you?

As far as flying goes, from our experience both out of Portland, OR and Albuquerque, NM, there has been no one airline that is always has the lowest fare. It is a game and fares will vary from hour to hour and day to day. I believe that I am correct in saying that FRONTIER no longer offers a Denver - Guadalajara flight. There is a recently announced new option coming soon:
http://www.southwest.com/...BNAV-AIR-BOOK-MEXICO
With SOUTHWEST and VOLARIS hooking up, there is some hope for lower fares, especially if one is booking out in advance and is flexible with their dates. I did some playing around with their rate calculator for ABQ-GDL-ABQ and found fares as low as $210 ABQ-GDL and $195 GDL-ABQ. And we will do anything in our power not to fly US AIRLINES, formerly AMERICA WORST!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

RickS

Nov 12, 2010, 6:42 PM

Post #6 of 9 (4014 views)

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Re: [salto_jorge] Denver to Guadalahara by car

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Neil is correct in saying that Frontier does not fly Denver to Guadalajara.... haven't for several years. It was nice while it lasted (and it didn't last long!) having a direct flight. I did it twice in the (maybe) 2 years that they offered that flight. Both times I flew it the plane was packed so it's hard to understand why it was not profitable for them.

Nogales to Mazatlan is easily 750 miles and on to PV must be over 1,000 miles. You must have a very large bladder and fuel tank to do that in one day. I'm just saying....

salto_jorge

Nov 13, 2010, 5:50 AM

Post #7 of 9 (3979 views)

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Re: [salto_jorge] Denver to Guadalahara by car

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Yes there is a typo, If you fly to GDL you do not need to take the bus.

That was supposed to PV, then take the bus to GDL, my error that I did not catch.
I have taken the Frontier plane to PV and then the primer clase bus to GDL.

We used USAirways on out last trip out this month, direct flight from Ph. Az, baggage is not free to mexico.

At all cost I have been avoiding any route through Chihuahua. Family friends from a town near Casa Grandes told me to avoid the area and that has been just as bad as Juárez. In the old days I used to cross and take the Cananea route in Sonora, but the road conditions were never good for higher speeds.
I do stop and purchase fuel in Mexico, I always fill up in the larger cities and I carry extra fuel with me.

Last time two of us drove from Nogales to Mazatlan (where we slept for the first leg of the trip in Mexico), that is 632 miles on the Toll Roads. We took turns behind the wheel and averaged over 75 mph (GM SUV, straight 6, large guard on the front, untinted windows for all to look in at us, nothing to hide ), like I said we drive fast and often down the center of the two lane black top. While driving we were passed several times and greated by a friendly federal police crew in their fast dodge several times who seemed to know that we were trying to avoid problems and get down the road asap. I can normally go for 8 hrs or more without using the rest room if one backs off on the heavy meals, hot foods, fast foods and poor eating several days before the mad rush. Its a mad rush and that is why I prefer flying.

I was stopped by federals several years ago near MgDeKino in my Land Cruiser and questioned at length due to the plates on my vehicle but not for speeding. Federals do not like Vanity plates from the US, they will never be on my vehicle again. Speeding can be bad, I once hit a tope or heat buckle when slowing down for it and damaged the transmission pan, I was lucky to find a shop.

No matter what, everyone has their favorite route and route that they believe is better then others.
Better and safer never has anything to do with shortest and cheapest.
Flying is the fastest way to go and has fever potential speed bumps, flying likits what you can take along.
What matters in getting to your destination.

(This post was edited by salto_jorge on Nov 13, 2010, 6:47 AM)

chinagringo

Nov 13, 2010, 7:29 AM

Post #8 of 9 (3961 views)

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Re: [salto_jorge] Denver to Guadalahara by car

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In the interest of accuracy, crossing at the Santa Teresa, NM/San Jeronimo, Chihuahua border crossing completely avoids Juarez and Hwy 45 does not pass through Casa Grandes. As Jorge mentions both of these cities/towns are to be avoided. As with numerous other areas of MX, this particular route has been the subject of periodic incidents.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

rockydog85251

Nov 13, 2010, 3:08 PM

Post #9 of 9 (3907 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Denver to Guadalahara by car

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For quite a number of years, we commuted while I was still working for the, America West Airlines and we sometimes did the drive from Scottsdale, Az. to Mazatlan in one day. We would hit the road early, timing it to arrive just as the border opened and would make it to Mazatlan in time for cocktails. Later on, we would break the drive in Navajoa, which is just about half way........in any event, a very easy drive.
I hope you decide on a safe and easy route.
Willie