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rayitodeluna

May 22, 2011, 8:48 AM

Post #1 of 28 (5123 views)

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If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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What would it be?
I have been reading and browsing the forum on border crossings, and find lots of different information. I'm not familiar with all of the abbreviations yet, as I haven't lived or traveled in Mexico (1 day in Tijuana 3 years ago just doesn't count).

If you were moving with 2 children under the age of two in a vehicle towing a cargo trailer, with a Mexican national and on a FM3 (I believe) visa, and had all the time in the world, how would you cross into MX and continue on to D.F.?

We are coming from the midwest United States (north of Texas), but have no problem taking detours or driving out of our way for safety and ease of entry. Our final destination is Mexico City. We will be making frequent stops on the US side and as frequent as is convinent and safe on the MX side* (depending on the area we are driving through) as we will have two under two (one of which is a nursing infant) in tow. (edited for clarity, there are 2 kiddos, not 3)

Just looking for current recommendations, and for some one to spell it out for a gringa that hasn't a clue. When I goggle mapped directions it sent us through Eagle Point and Monterey, but have read that we should be avoiding Monterey. (And my husband agrees with this and has heard plenty of stories about negative experiences in Monterey) Have also read lots of people prefer to cross at Nuevo Laredo on the Columbia Road. Have also read to avoid Tamulipas on the eastern coast completely. (edited for clarity)

However, I thought Nuevo Laredo was becoming more dangerous? The only thing I know about are the reports we get here on newstations and documentaries about gangs on both the US side (los Zetas, right?) and the Mexico side (the cartels I am assuming?).

Would you hug the coast (edit: I mean the west coast) all the way to D.F. , or take a more central route?

Sorry if this is a repetative posting, I have just found some much diverse information here that I am having problems deciding on the best route for us. I know that everyone has their own personal preferences, and I would like to hear yours (again). Time is no issue and neither is paying tolls to be on a bigger (and presumably "safer") highway.

Thanks in advance for any help on planning this! We are traveling in the beginning of October of this year.

*I realize there are towns to be avoided on the US side as well. Any tips on those also would be appreciated.

ETA: I would like to take our time getting to D.F. , and enjoy my first (real) time in MX and see some local little towns and enjoy MX. However, I'm just wondering is traveling with an enclosed cargo trailer screams "please, stop us and rob us becuse we have an entire 14' (not 17' like I previously posted) trailer full of stuff that may or may not be valuable". Any thoughts on this as well would be appreciated. We may have family coming up from DF to meet us and ride with us from the MX side of the border back to DF. They don't spend much time that far north though, so we can't really depend on them to navigate the trip. (Their words, not mine).
ETA (again): We are completely ok with going out of our way to CA

(This post was edited by rayitodeluna on May 22, 2011, 7:25 PM)

chicois8

May 22, 2011, 11:52 AM

Post #2 of 28 (5075 views)

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Re: [rallitodeluna] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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I usually enter through Nogales Airzona, Highway 15D (toll roads) through Navajoa, Guaymas, Mazatlan, Guadalajara and Mexico City...

I have gone via Nuevo Loreto to Querertao in about 9 hours by passing all the big cities by Highway 57D, and MC is just 4 more hours away........

esperanza

May 22, 2011, 12:00 PM

Post #3 of 28 (5075 views)

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Re: [rallitodeluna] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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This question is more complicated than you know. Are you reading http://www.borderlandbeat.com/? I would strongly recommend that you follow the posts there; Borderland Beat will keep you updated on whatever you might like to avoid that is happening from the border to the interior. One sure highway to avoid would be Mexico Route 101. There are others, and there are specific towns to be careful of as well.

The perpetual advice of 'don't drive at night' has always pertained to four-legged creatures on the roadway, but things here in Mexico have changed a good bit. There are times when day OR night driving is iffy, and now due to two-legged creatures that travel on the roads.

Aside from the sometime-dangers of your drive from the border to the interior, you also need to be aware of the rules and regulations about driving ANY vehicle into the State of Mexico and Mexico City. First of all, a 17-foot trailer is quite large and there are strict regulations about the hours you may bring a vehicle that size into the city. Secondly, you will want to familiarize yourself with 'Hoy No Circula', the regulations that control which days any vehicle may or may not be on the road in parts of the State of Mexico and all of the Mexico City metropolitan area. You'll find some, but not all, Spanish-language information here: http://www.hoynocircula.com.mx/.

I'm assuming that both your trailer and your truck have USA license plates, which make your trip even trickier. The police know that you DON'T know what you're doing here (and I say that with all the charity in the world) and they will make your life really difficult, insisting on huge mordidas--I've heard of people paying as much as 5,000 pesos and still being sent back to the entrance to the city to wait for the appropriate time of day to enter. It's worse if your license plate number happens to fall on a day when you can't drive in the city: people's vehicles have been impounded for that.

SEYMI, the highly experienced Mexican nationwide moving company that moved our household in February from Morelia, Michoacán to Col. La Condesa in Mexico City, had to keep the moving truck overnight in Toluca in order to enter the Distrito Federal just before dawn; otherwise they would not have been allowed in.

Google maps is a very helpful tool for figuring out how to get where you're going in Mexico City. You will also find a GPS with Mexican maps very helpful. Frankly, though, unless one of you is a professional driver, I can't even imagine pulling a 17-foot trailer through the city. If the relatives you mention could meet you in Toluca and guide you through the Distrito Federal to your destination, you would be blessed and grateful.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Mexberry

May 22, 2011, 4:02 PM

Post #4 of 28 (5040 views)

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Re: [chicois8] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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We have crossed into Mexico from Arizona and south , the same route that Chicois8 has travelled. We only travel during daylight hours, keep a full tank of gas as Pemex stations are never around when you need them. There is sufficient traffic on the roads so that you are not alone and the occasional police check points are welcome reminders that at least they are trying to protect you. We had a pleasant journey south - enjoy yours !
Mexberry.

chicois8

May 22, 2011, 4:58 PM

Post #5 of 28 (5037 views)

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Re: [Mexberry] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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About the only part of 15D that is Pemex lacking in my opinion is from Culiacan to Mazatlan and new stations are being built...I get over 550 miles between fill ups with my car so I really don't worry about gas stops...

My amiga just called from San Antonio TX, she left this morning driving solo up 57D through Loreto without any problems, she left here in Dolores Hidalgo at 7AM and arrived San Antonio at 6PM..........

(This post was edited by chicois8 on May 22, 2011, 5:02 PM)

tashby

May 22, 2011, 6:46 PM

Post #6 of 28 (5008 views)

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Re: [rayitodeluna] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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Damn. That's a big trailer.

You have the luxury of time, so after researching, you'll pick the route you're most comfortable with. That's great. (I've only ever driven Nogales to Guadalajara, three years ago, easy.)

Depending upon which route you end up with, I'd seriously look into whether or not it's possible to detach that trailer WITHIN Mexico and have somebody else drag your stuff to its final destination, as suggested above.

(This post was edited by tashby on May 22, 2011, 6:52 PM)

Altahabana

May 23, 2011, 4:43 AM

Post #7 of 28 (4975 views)

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Re: [rayitodeluna] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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I don't think it is necessary to drive to Arizona to cross if your most direct route is through Texas, particularly if you would be doing it because of safety concerns. If you cross at Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras you do not go through Monterrey on your way to the interior. Highway 57 south from the border is as safe as any route you would take.

This website has good distance calculations from point to point within Mexico.

http://aplicaciones4.sct.gob.mx/...action=cmdEscogeRuta

sir veza

May 23, 2011, 7:07 AM

Post #8 of 28 (4955 views)

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Re: [rayitodeluna] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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I would not cross at Eagle Pass or Acuna. You have long stretches of road and little traffic. There is a lot happening in this area that is not reported. Not too long ago 3 vehicles were stolen at gun point with in sight of the Acuna bridge. My neighbor in his 80's has always bought his meds. in Acuna was told by the cab driver he has used for years not to come over til things get better. My wife and I crossed at Laredo last year and will do the same next month. It adds another day travel for us but we feel it is worth it. 5 years ago we crossed at Acuna but things have changed. There are a lot of police and military around Monterrey and we have not had any problem. Cross at Laredo early and try to get as far from the border as possible for spending the night. Not much help with your route but did want to warn you of a couple places not to cross and you don't hear much about.

Reefhound

May 23, 2011, 8:30 AM

Post #9 of 28 (4932 views)

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Re: [sir veza] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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If I was leaving today, I'd cross at Nuevo Laredo (not Colombia), take the cuota to Monterrey then to Saltillo (approximate, you don't actually go that far), then Mx57 all the rest of the way.

A lot of stuff happens in Monterrey (including this past weekend) but most all of it happens within the city or surrounding towns not on the highways. You would not be going into Monterrey, simply taking the periferico (expressway) about a quarter of the way around it.

Similarly, Borderland Beat will show reports of just about every incident that makes the news as they mostly compile and translate relevant stories from other sources. But most of those incidents are "in the streets" not on the typical "tourist path". There was a recent incident in Monclova on Bulevar Pape, which IS on the tourist path from Eagle Pass to Saltillo.

Of course, anything can happen at any time. Sometimes there will be a chase between various parties, sometimes they will attempt a carjacking. The random nature of it cannot be eliminated with any route. If you want a guarantee of safety, that's not possible. Follow basic precautions. Drive in daytime. Minimize stops. Don't appear flashy. Don't resist robbery or car jackings. You can replace anything but you.

jerezano

May 23, 2011, 8:31 AM

Post #10 of 28 (4930 views)

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Re: [sir veza] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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Hello all,

Where to cross the border? That will be a personal decision based on what you hear and read.

I make the trip from Zacatecas to McAllen, TX and back about every three months. I personally like to cross at the Mission TX, Anzalduas bridge (easy crossing both ways), by-pass most of Reynosa, take the cuota (very heavily trafficked but no incidents have yet been reported) to the Monterrey Periférico (no incidents yet reported) to Saltillo, and there take the Saltillo to Zacatecas highway (excellent condition except for the 40 or 50 miles from the Coahuila border to Concepción de Oro, Zacatecas). From CdeO to Zacatecas city is four lane divided highway all the way. No incidents yet reported on this route. From Zacatecas City to Aguascalientes and on to Mexico City (no incidents yet reported.)

Alternatively at Saltillo you can take the Saltillo, Matehuala, SLP route on to Mexico City. Only one incident reported on that highway that I am aware of.

Unfortunately the tolls on the cuota from Reynosa to Monterrey periférico and the periférico itself are rather expensive and supposedly the highest in Mexico. As yet though it seems to be the least prone to incidents of any of the routes.

As ever, jerezano

robt65

May 23, 2011, 11:20 AM

Post #11 of 28 (4900 views)

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Re: [rayitodeluna] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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It appears that many people here are giving advice / advise that they have no experience with. I am far from being a professional driver. . . . . Traveling with a 17 foot cargo trailer is in reality not much different than traveling with your small fuel efficient cars. With a little knowledge and some pre planning with suggestions from those that have traveled with either a travel trailer or cargo trailer of comparable size the trip should not pose any problems, any more so than traveling without such a trailer. The problem here is that some persons give advice when they have no actual experience at all pulling a trailer of a comparable size. Doing so in an intelligent manner has no differences except perhaps in the amount of times quoted by those without knowledge. Timers should be adjusted for taking into consideration at least two stops for the Aduana inspections. One at the border crossing and the other some distance, usually 30 miles or more inland from the crossing. There also may be the occasional checkpoint between for example either Anzalduas International Bridge, which I have chosen to take or the Eagle Pass/Piedra Negras crossing as Altahabana has suggested and along the Cuota’s. These are usually well marked and traveling with a cargo trailer, one should always plan on being asked to stop for an inspection by whatever military or police authority requests such. Either route can be taken and avoid going directly through Monterrey. Have your papers from the original Aduana inspection and the vehicle and trailer permits in order and the checkpoints are very simple. The inspections that I have encountered have almost 99% of the time been simple and pretty quick. I allow at least one and a half hours for checkpoints after the original crossing inspection. I have never used that amount of time but at least I have figured it in my itinerary so I do not wind up driving at night. I know for sure personally that persons such as Reefhound, Jerezano, Altahabana and myself have both frequent and / or related comparable trailer size experience on these roads.

The size of this persons trailer or what they are bringing is not anyone’s business unless asked by the poster. This is a family with two children and they have saved all their lives for such possessions for a home in Mexico that they wish to bring. That should not enter into anyone’s equation for the answers or suggestions unless requested as I see it.

Since I live about 2.5 hours north of Mexico city I would suggest to you that you can easily make the trip from either aforementioned crossings within 7 to eight hours, allowing time for gas, potty calls for the family and a 30 minute lunch (all without leaving the highway). There is a very affordable hotel (The Oasis) right on the main frontage road in Matehuala, that is (granted a two star hotel at best) clean and both the car and the trailer can be pulled inside a well protected compound. A room for two with two double beds costs $450 pesos. The swimming pool is very clean (on 1 May 2011) and the trailer and tow vehicle can be parked right next to your room. One can enter the compound, make a complete circle (without backing up) and be ready to head out in the morning. I don’t know how much easier or safe or less expensive it can get than that. Many will recommend the Las Palmas hotel. In days gone by that was a very good and inexpensive hotel. Today it is still a very good but more expensive hotel. When your eyes are closed you don’t see all the beauty of a hotel and still get the same rest. The Oasis is a clean (abet 2 star hotel) but safe, clean and close with a good price. Make sure to ask for a room with AC. They have them at no extra charge. Also ask for a room at the back where you can easily park your truck and trailer.

Leaving at or before 9:30 in the morning from Matehuala should get you into San Juan del Rio, Queretaro by 3:30 in the afternoon. I would follow Esperanza’s suggestions that you find out from your relatives if you are required to follow the plate number (odd or even) for the day of travel you will have in Mexico City. You still have not specified if indeed you are heading right into Mexico City or another community near to MC. At any rate the traffic. I have driven through all of these cities on this route with both trailers, one 16 foot cargo trailer and the other a 33 foot travel trailer without any restrictions at all.

When you are leaving San Luis Potosí on the Cuota make sure you take the by pass (clearly marked Mexico) around C. D. Queretaro, it saves a lot of unnecessary traffic and about 45 minutes in time.

There is no lack of gas stations or places along this route for eats. You may want to meet up with your family in San Juan del Rio (some fair priced hotels there, and relax for the remainder short haul of your trip the next day. I suggest driving from San Juan del Rio after 9:00 Am as there is pretty heavy traffic along that route from San Juan del Rio to MC.

The highway from start to finish is very good and I make about six to eight such round trips a year on this very route, so far without any problems.

As Altahabana says, there is always a possibility of anything that can happen. For safety sake I would strongly suggest getting rid of any bias ply tires the trailer may have. They do not hold up well on the very hot asphalt or concrete roads of Mexico. It is very easy for them to blow as the pressure expands greatly at speeds and heat of the day. Make sure you do not buy any Chinese tires for the trailer.

Go to the largest book store near where you live and order a 2011 copy of the Guia Roji “Por Las Carreteras de Mexico BOOK Map. You will find this invaluable as a tool and a fun guide for the children as you go along the trip. The ISBN # for your bookstore is 978-607-403-132-4

If I can answer any other questions for you, and I have the correct answers from personal past and recent experience, I would be happy to do so. When do you plan on making your trip? I will again be making the same trip from Texas to San Juan del Rio, Queretaro sometime in the middle of August. If it makes you feel any better or safer you are welcome to join me.

Regards,
Robt65

(This post was edited by robt65 on May 23, 2011, 11:28 AM)

rayitodeluna

May 23, 2011, 5:07 PM

Post #12 of 28 (4856 views)

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Re: [esperanza] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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Thank you to everyone who has responded so far. Excuse the delay in response, I try and look up the places on the map everytime there is a new post, in order to be able to reply without sounding totally clueless.

Esperanza - Thank you for both the BorderLand Beat reference and the suggestion about getting a GPS with a map of Mexico. The thought had never crossed my mind, although it should have because I am bad with directions here in my own state, let alone a foreign one. We will most certainly look into the license plate/restricted driving days issue. I knew they did that, for some reason I didn't realize that would also apply to my American plates as well (rolling eyes: silly American girl!).

~~~~~~ Enjoying life in northern D.F. with our family of Americans and chilangos.
Family and expat blog here : http://threecurlygirlys.blogspot.mx/ ~~~~~~

rayitodeluna

May 23, 2011, 5:09 PM

Post #13 of 28 (4855 views)

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Re: [Mexberry] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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Chicois8 and Mexberry - thank you for the Arizona suggestions. My husband was leaning towards a more westward route, so these specific routes wil come in handy if we decide that. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

~~~~~~ Enjoying life in northern D.F. with our family of Americans and chilangos.
Family and expat blog here : http://threecurlygirlys.blogspot.mx/ ~~~~~~

rayitodeluna

May 23, 2011, 5:14 PM

Post #14 of 28 (4854 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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Thank you, I hadn't considered that driving past Monterey isn't the same as driving through Monterey. I just didn't know how close the highway is to the actual city? And if a certain part of the city is worse than others? This puts my mind a little bit at ease, as you are correct in stating that passing through Texas is our most direct route. Also, my husband wants a big, juicy T-bone or KC strip before leaving the States, and what better place to have one of those but Texas? ; )

~~~~~~ Enjoying life in northern D.F. with our family of Americans and chilangos.
Family and expat blog here : http://threecurlygirlys.blogspot.mx/ ~~~~~~

rayitodeluna

May 23, 2011, 5:32 PM

Post #15 of 28 (4850 views)

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Re: [sir veza] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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Thank you for passing on the incidents. I realize anythign can happen at anytime, anywhere, but it is good to hear from "been there, had that happen to me/my neighbor etc".

~~~~~~ Enjoying life in northern D.F. with our family of Americans and chilangos.
Family and expat blog here : http://threecurlygirlys.blogspot.mx/ ~~~~~~

rayitodeluna

May 23, 2011, 5:40 PM

Post #16 of 28 (4848 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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Follow basic precautions. Drive in daytime. Minimize stops. Don't appear flashy. Don't resist robbery or car jackings. You can replace anything but you.

(ETA: it deleted my response to this quote!? what the heck!?)

I basically said that we are driving in a 2003 Suburban, which we recently acquired by trading in an older, and ugly 98 Expedition. I was/am still concerned that the 03 Suburban looks MUCH nicer on the outside than the Expedition did, but I figured it was safer to have a vehicle that won't break down in the middle of the trip, even if it is prettier on the outside and may draw more attention to ourselves than the Expedition woudl have. However, a 03 Suburban isn't a '11 Denali or Escalade or somthing. The trailer is new though, so I hope that won't appear to "rich" as we are most certainly not rich. Maybe I should go outside and take a baseball bat to it? (joking, my husband would have a heart attack) It is a very basic model trailer, nothing exciting so perhaps it won't matter.

(This post was edited by rayitodeluna on May 23, 2011, 6:27 PM)

rayitodeluna

May 23, 2011, 5:43 PM

Post #17 of 28 (4847 views)

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Re: [jerezano] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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I love how specific your route was! That might sound juvenille, but I honestly have no clue about the highways and routes in Mexico yet, so thank you for posting exactly which routes and cities/states you go through. I will have a better "clue" when I pick up the Book of maps Robert mentioned!

~~~~~~ Enjoying life in northern D.F. with our family of Americans and chilangos.
Family and expat blog here : http://threecurlygirlys.blogspot.mx/ ~~~~~~

Altahabana

May 23, 2011, 5:45 PM

Post #18 of 28 (4845 views)

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Re: [rayitodeluna] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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Nogales is twice the distance from the DF as Nuevo Laredo. (2207 km---1111km). If you then factor in the extra miles in the US you are taking a very long detour with no real benefit that I can see.

I also wouldn't avoid Highway 57 from Piedras just because of the balacera in Monclova last week. We have had at least two incidents since then in Nuevo Laredo including one on Colosio on Saturday evening that we could hear from the house. Small scale but an incident nevertheless.

Maybe I didn't understand what one poster was saying but there have been many enfretamientos between the military and cartel sicarios on the autopista between Monterrey and Reynosa since the Zeta/Gulf split particularly around China. Saltillo has also had some problems in the past two months. I know people look down on them but Borderland Beat and Blog del Narco are the best sources of information on smaller scale incidents that occur around the country. You just need to read the stories and avoid some of the videos.

I think you will be okay if you go through Eagle Pass/Piedras or Nuevo Laredo. I personally would opt for Eagle Pass because it is much easier to navigate through Customs/Immigration than Nuevo Laredo if you are pulling a large trailer. Northern Coahuila is isolated with long stretches of empty highway, but you are going to find that everywhere in Northern Mexico. If you want a route that is more heavily traveled then take Highway 85 from Nuevo Laredo.

rayitodeluna

May 23, 2011, 6:07 PM

Post #19 of 28 (4833 views)

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Re: [robt65] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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robt65-
Thank you so much for such a detailed, thorough response. I am seriously considering it, mostly because you have given us a couple of specific places that we can stay/eat at on the way. Sometimes it is the little things (where to stay the night?) that con make or break a trip (in my humble opinion).

We are headed to more specifically, Gustavo A Madero which is to the north and slightly east of Mexico City. (If I am recalling correctly my directions).

I feel so reassured now on our life in Mexico, knowing there are people like you around/in the country, that would offer to caravan through the interior of Mexico with a complete "stranger"! We won't be ready to leave until October, otherwise I would be taking you up the offer. If we could have our affairs in order here beforehand, I would push our trip up, but that is simply not going to happen. It will be a whirlwind around here to leave by October as it is ; )

So, to sumarize your suggestion : we cross the border and drive straight out to Matehuala and spend the night there. (Perhaps his family can meet us there?) Enjoy a breakfast across the street in the morning, drive to San Juan del Rio and spend the night there, rest up and do the rest of the trip into Gustavo Madero the next day.

My questions to you are : if his family was planning on meeting us all the way closer to the border, where would that be? I don't want to hang around the border unecessarily. They are planning on flying (so they can assist with driving)*, so I will obviously need to research where the airports are in cities closer to the border, but not ON the border. We are leaving our home state NOTB on a Monday, and plan on meeting them in MX (where?) on Friday, ending in Gustavo Madero on Sunday. That gives us plenty of time NOTB to stop for potty breaks, pit stops, park explorations for the 2 year old, steak for the husband and sleep for mommy. We will have to spend the night NOTB somewhere to time meeting up with his family, who will be (where?) near the border on Friday. So, we also need to decide which NOTB town we want to spend the night in.

*As far as driving and the trailer (tashby), I am afraid that the family shouldn't be driving either vehicle/trailer as they are in my names and will have American plates. It wuold be illegal for them to drive my vehicle, correct? My husband is a Mexican national, and both the vechile and trailer are registered in my name here in our state.

So much to consider. Thanks to all who reponded.

ETA: THANK YOU THANK YOU for the map/book suggestion, am headed out the door in 10 minutes to check the bookstore (will call first). Have been trying to decifer random maps on the internet

(This post was edited by rayitodeluna on May 23, 2011, 6:09 PM)

rayitodeluna

May 23, 2011, 6:15 PM

Post #20 of 28 (4823 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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In Reply To

I think you will be okay if you go through Eagle Pass/Piedras or Nuevo Laredo. I personally would opt for Eagle Pass because it is much easier to navigate through Customs/Immigration than Nuevo Laredo if you are pulling a large trailer. Northern Coahuila is isolated with long stretches of empty highway, but you are going to find that everywhere in Northern Mexico. If you want a route that is more heavily traveled then take Highway 85 from Nuevo Laredo.

(my emphasis added). thank you! I have been wondering how long/how hard or difficult it will be to pass an entire trailer full of our lives! This will play into our decision.

~~~~~~ Enjoying life in northern D.F. with our family of Americans and chilangos.
Family and expat blog here : http://threecurlygirlys.blogspot.mx/ ~~~~~~

Altahabana

May 23, 2011, 6:49 PM

Post #21 of 28 (4814 views)

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Re: [rayitodeluna] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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I wasn't talking about tramites at the respective crossings. I meant that Customs/immigration is easier to find using Hwy 57 out of Piedras. They are located alongside the highway about 30 miles south of Piedras near Allende. That is where you will get the vehicle permits and any immigration forms you lack. You will have to make a few tight turns to get to the permit station in Nuevo Laredo.

rvcycleguy

May 31, 2011, 12:39 PM

Post #22 of 28 (4577 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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I would also agree to cross at Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras. My wife and drove from Houston to avoid McAllen and Laredo. We used Piedras and felt very safe. We were driving a 2003 Toyota Tundra and had a fully loaded truck bed with a big motorcycle in the truck bed. Arrived Eagle Pass at 6am and ate breakfast. Crossed the border with full tank of gas at 7am and traveled via Highway 57 to Saltillo by 11am. Filled up again and made Matehuala by 3pm. Stayed over night at Las Palmas. Left in the morning at 6am and we stopped in SLP at 10am. Our destination was Guanajuato, so we changed the highway not long after SLP.

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dongringo_catemaco

Jun 1, 2011, 4:05 PM

Post #23 of 28 (4431 views)

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Re: [rayitodeluna] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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Why does it take 25 replies to someone from northern Texas on where and how to cross the border to Mexico City, when the answer would be to take the most direct one, (wherever she is from) without the narco babble and detouring her through god knows where?
Visit Catemaco News

whynotwrite

Jun 1, 2011, 5:04 PM

Post #24 of 28 (4411 views)

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Re: [dongringo_catemaco] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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Altahabana

Jun 2, 2011, 5:48 AM

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Re: [whynotwrite] If you could take ANY route from the US to Mexico City

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Good point. It was a stupid question followed by answers that, to myself, are mostly a bunch of talking heads who could not buy a taco from a cart in the middle of Mexico. Take the route that suits your agenda, stop listening to the cry baby fear mongers. Your life will be so much easier.

It is not a stupid question if the person asking it has never traveled to the interior of Mexico by land and is hauling a trailer full of belongings. Since the OP said her Mexican experience consists of 1 day in Tijuana 3 years ago, I suspect her only agenda is finding the quickest, most convenient and safest route from her starting point in the US to her destination in Mexico. She even got a consensus about the best place to cross (Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras) which also happens to be the closest border city on the route she will be taking.

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