Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

rockydog85251

Oct 16, 2011, 7:44 PM

Post #1 of 10 (1530 views)

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Travel el Arco Norte

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We saw one post that mentioned, if we understood it correctly, that it took 4.5 hrs appx. to traverse the Arco Norte around Mexico City. Our question is whether that would be more expedient for travel from Guadalajara to Oaxaca, or would the southern route around the city be faster? This will dictate where we choose to spend the night - needing accomodations for us plus 3 darling little dogs.
Thanks for any advice!
Willie

jrpierce

Oct 17, 2011, 10:12 PM

Post #2 of 10 (1468 views)

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Re: [rockydog85251] Travel el Arco Norte

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That's way too long. We recently drove from Morelia to Puebla in a little over 4 hours, and of course the Arco Norte portion was much less than the total. The highway is beautiful, little traffic of course, so you can fly on it. I don't know anything about a southern route around the city, so can't comment on that.

Another factor to consider is that they are doing major road construction on the cuota between Puebla and Oaxaca (or were a couple of weeks ago).

Buen viaje,

Jim

Vichil

Oct 18, 2011, 8:50 AM

Post #3 of 10 (1426 views)

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Re: [rockydog85251] Travel el Arco Norte

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From Ajijic to Puebla, crossing Mexico via Aquatucto 9 hours
From Ajijic to Puebla 7 1/2 hours via Atlacomulco Arco Norte and a whole lot less headaches
What Southern route are you talking about ? Periferico / mordida alley or another way?

rockydog85251

Oct 18, 2011, 10:14 AM

Post #4 of 10 (1407 views)

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Re: [Vichil] Travel el Arco Norte

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For a brief moment of insanity, I was considering getting off at Toluca, over to Cuernavaca, to Cuautla, then up to Puebla, then down to Oaxaca.......waaay too complicated. We will be doing the Arco Norte.
And a huge thanks to all that helped reach this decision!
Willie

Vichil

Oct 19, 2011, 7:34 AM

Post #5 of 10 (1352 views)

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Re: [rockydog85251] Travel el Arco Norte

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The Arco Norte goes through magnificent country and if you are on it in the morning you will be ableto seePopo and Itza in all their spendor. Popo is smoking and they both have snow peaks right now, they are a beautiful sight. The countryside is beautiful so enjoy that route.

jrpierce

Oct 19, 2011, 5:54 PM

Post #6 of 10 (1318 views)

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Re: [Vichil] Travel el Arco Norte

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True, Vichil--beautiful country! Just one warning, Willie. From Atalmulco to just before the end of the Arco Norte, there are NO SERVICES on the highway. So, be sure you are gassed up, have food and drink with you, and have visited the baños.

Jim

RickS

Oct 19, 2011, 6:33 PM

Post #7 of 10 (1310 views)

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Re: [jrpierce] Travel el Arco Norte

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Does that mean that there are no services at the toll booths, or am I remembering that there is but one toll.... for the whole enchilada? What is the cost roughly?

jrpierce

Oct 19, 2011, 7:25 PM

Post #8 of 10 (1299 views)

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Re: [RickS] Travel el Arco Norte

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Rick, you remember correctly. There are no toll booths except where you enter and exit the highway. That helps streamline the trip, of course. The toll for the length of the road is about 330 pesos.

Jim

cookj5

Oct 20, 2011, 5:58 PM

Post #9 of 10 (1229 views)

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Re: [jrpierce] Travel el Arco Norte

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I can confirm on the lack of services, directly on the highway. You can get off at someplace like Tula, about an hour or so toward Puebla from the Altamulco entrance. It is only a couple of miles off the cuota. They have complete services (gas, hotels, restaurants, etc) and in addition they have the ancient capital of the Toltec Empire, on a bluff overlooking the city. If you want to break your trip between the Guadalajara/Lake Chapala area and Puebla, or even do an overnight, Tula is a good choice. Very clean, well kept, attractive small city with friendly people.

Here is a link to my 2 part blog posting on our visit to Tula and the Toltec ruins:

http://cookjmex.blogspot.com/search/label/Tula

Enjoy!

Vichil

Oct 20, 2011, 6:49 PM

Post #10 of 10 (1215 views)

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Re: [cookj5] Travel el Arco Norte

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We stayed in a hotel resort there by the Pemex refinery Beautiful grounds nice people even a golf court. It was very cold and they had portable heaters in the room. We stayed there as I wanted to see the ruins but we ran out of time.
I was less than impressed with the city and the traffic there, I would stay in Puebla over Tula anytime.