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rachel

Sep 8, 2002, 5:02 PM

Post #1 of 15 (1517 views)

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advice on 2 day tucscon to puerto vallarta tag team drive

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we are 2 experienced long-distance level-headed drivers with good map abilities but no experience driving in mexico<p>proposed trip:<p>DAY 1
13:00 leave tucson int'l airport
14:00 border crossing
--already know rental car policy on mexico & mexico car crossing drill
17:00 border crossing complete
-- hit central time as leave arizona
--nogales to hermisillo
19:30 sunset
20:00 dark - hermisillo motel<p>DAY 2
06:00 leave hermisillo
20:00 arrive puerto vallarta<p>QUESTIONS
any comments on driving on to ciudad obregon, los michos or culiacan after dark?<p>is an hour for the border crossing sufficient in most cases with car paperwork?<p>is 14 hours probably enough for day 2 travel?<p>any recommendations for good driving maps online or in bookstores for mexico? i'm using msn map point - the directions are specific, but has anyone used map point in mexico with success?<p>thanks<p><p>

Andy in Aguas

Sep 9, 2002, 8:59 AM

Post #2 of 15 (1511 views)

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Time changes

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Sonora is on Mountain Daylight Savings Time (like El Paso is). Arizona does not observe daylight savings time, so, true, it is one hour behind Sonora now. Puerto Vallarta is on Central Daylight Savings time (this change is made as soon as you cross the border from the state of Nayarit to the state of Jalisco).<p>: we are 2 experienced long-distance level-headed drivers with good map abilities but no experience driving in mexico<p>: proposed trip:<p>: DAY 1
: 13:00 leave tucson int'l airport
: 14:00 border crossing
: --already know rental car policy on mexico & mexico car crossing drill
: 17:00 border crossing complete
: -- hit central time as leave arizona
: --nogales to hermisillo
: 19:30 sunset
: 20:00 dark - hermisillo motel<p>: DAY 2
: 06:00 leave hermisillo
: 20:00 arrive puerto vallarta<p>: QUESTIONS
: any comments on driving on to ciudad obregon, los michos or culiacan after dark?<p>: is an hour for the border crossing sufficient in most cases with car paperwork?<p>: is 14 hours probably enough for day 2 travel?<p>: any recommendations for good driving maps online or in bookstores for mexico? i'm using msn map point - the directions are specific, but has anyone used map point in mexico with success?<p>: thanks<p><p>

Big E

Sep 9, 2002, 9:34 AM

Post #3 of 15 (1511 views)

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REPLY ON MAPS

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MEXICAN ROAD MAPS CAN BE EASILY PURCHASED AT MOST MEXICAN SCHOOL SUPPLY STORES CALLED "PAPELERIA" THEY ARE A LITTLE ON THE EXPENSIVE SIDE. LIKE $10 US DOLLARS
: we are 2 experienced long-distance level-headed drivers with good map abilities but no experience driving in mexico<p>: proposed trip:<p>: DAY 1
: 13:00 leave tucson int'l airport
: 14:00 border crossing
: --already know rental car policy on mexico & mexico car crossing drill
: 17:00 border crossing complete
: -- hit central time as leave arizona
: --nogales to hermisillo
: 19:30 sunset
: 20:00 dark - hermisillo motel<p>: DAY 2
: 06:00 leave hermisillo
: 20:00 arrive puerto vallarta<p>: QUESTIONS
: any comments on driving on to ciudad obregon, los michos or culiacan after dark?<p>: is an hour for the border crossing sufficient in most cases with car paperwork?<p>: is 14 hours probably enough for day 2 travel?<p>: any recommendations for good driving maps online or in bookstores for mexico? i'm using msn map point - the directions are specific, but has anyone used map point in mexico with success?<p>: thanks<p><p>

Loco

Sep 9, 2002, 10:42 AM

Post #4 of 15 (1511 views)

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you are loco

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not really but the day two senario is an over extension if you ask me. Hywy200 along the coast is NOT a Hywy. Even tho it is well paved and maintained ... it is narrow and full of tight turns, hills. It is difficult to pass often ... and you can be caught between a slow truck and a fast bus. Not really fun at night (after 6pm) and 12-14 hours of driving. Then you'll have to look for a place in PV more like midnight.<p>I'd make it a 3 day! ... but I'm old as well ;)

rachel

Sep 9, 2002, 10:57 AM

Post #5 of 15 (1511 views)

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you are loco

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on your suggestion maybe we'll make it to ciudad obregon, los michos or culiacan the first night then, since that is on a highway<p>sunset - i checked for that lat/long - for that day is 7.30, with light until about 8<p>also, we've already got a 1 week 5 star hotel in pv once we get there, so it's all relaxment<p>thanks for your advice

Loco

Sep 9, 2002, 10:59 AM

Post #6 of 15 (1510 views)

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qualification on hywy 200

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I'm only familiar with the southern section. The map says it's probably 4 lane quota to Mazatlan. After that is the narrow 2 lane ... especially south of Tepic.<p>I agree with whomever said, get a good map made of paper.

alex

Sep 9, 2002, 12:48 PM

Post #7 of 15 (1508 views)

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topes &amp; retenes

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will mess up your calculations. Also, when we made that trip with my wife and daughter, all the pee stops added an extra half day ;<)
Alex

Pike

Sep 9, 2002, 1:04 PM

Post #8 of 15 (1514 views)

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advice on 2 day tucscon to puerto vallarta tag team drive

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: we are 2 experienced long-distance level-headed drivers with good map abilities but no experience driving in mexico<p>: proposed trip:<p>: DAY 1
: 13:00 leave tucson int'l airport
: 14:00 border crossing
: --already know rental car policy on mexico & mexico car crossing drill
: 17:00 border crossing complete
: -- hit central time as leave arizona
: --nogales to hermisillo
: 19:30 sunset
: 20:00 dark - hermisillo motel<p>: DAY 2
: 06:00 leave hermisillo
: 20:00 arrive puerto vallarta<p>: QUESTIONS
: any comments on driving on to ciudad obregon, los michos or culiacan after dark?<p>: is an hour for the border crossing sufficient in most cases with car paperwork?<p>: is 14 hours probably enough for day 2 travel?<p>: any recommendations for good driving maps online or in bookstores for mexico? i'm using msn map point - the directions are specific, but has anyone used map point in mexico with success?<p>: thanks<p>XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX<p>I make this drive quite frequently and find that it is 12 hours from Nogales to Mazatlan and 6 hours from Mazatlan to Vallarta. This is actual driving time for me in a 1981 VW pick up. Never over 65 mph. How long you spend on your stops is another matter.<p>As far as maps are concerned, I find that the AAA map of Mexico is more than sufficient and quite accurate.<p><p>

Captain Sinister

Sep 9, 2002, 1:28 PM

Post #9 of 15 (1512 views)

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Recommend Nogalas to PV

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We've done the trip many times, best if you leave from Nogalas very early in the morning (6AM.), on to Los Mochas for the night, many motels along the Hwy. <p>Next day off to PV, also early around 7AM., and we always make it to PV before dark, around 7 PM..<p>That's with two adults driving and obeying all the driving laws. You know your own driving skills, Mexico is not like driving along an Interstate in the US, but it is not that hard if you are careful and do your research

Robert

Sep 10, 2002, 7:43 AM

Post #10 of 15 (1521 views)

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REPLY ON MAPS

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Get a GPS Unit. Garmin has some excellent units for under $250 with solid basemaps for most major and city roads throughout Mexico. They even list the smallest cities.<p>
: MEXICAN ROAD MAPS CAN BE EASILY PURCHASED AT MOST MEXICAN SCHOOL SUPPLY STORES CALLED "PAPELERIA" THEY ARE A LITTLE ON THE EXPENSIVE SIDE. LIKE $10 US DOLLARS
: : we are 2 experienced long-distance level-headed drivers with good map abilities but no experience driving in mexico<p>: : proposed trip:<p>: : DAY 1
: : 13:00 leave tucson int'l airport
: : 14:00 border crossing
: : --already know rental car policy on mexico & mexico car crossing drill
: : 17:00 border crossing complete
: : -- hit central time as leave arizona
: : --nogales to hermisillo
: : 19:30 sunset
: : 20:00 dark - hermisillo motel<p>: : DAY 2
: : 06:00 leave hermisillo
: : 20:00 arrive puerto vallarta<p>: : QUESTIONS
: : any comments on driving on to ciudad obregon, los michos or culiacan after dark?<p>: : is an hour for the border crossing sufficient in most cases with car paperwork?<p>: : is 14 hours probably enough for day 2 travel?<p>: : any recommendations for good driving maps online or in bookstores for mexico? i'm using msn map point - the directions are specific, but has anyone used map point in mexico with success?<p>: : thanks<p>

mexicodan

Sep 10, 2002, 7:38 PM

Post #11 of 15 (1508 views)

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www.maps-of-mexico.com

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Done it few times.<p>Day 1: Leave in AM from Nogales to Los Mochis
Day 2: Los Mochis to PV<p>12 hrs. of driving each day<p>Quota road is fine!<p>

Loco

Sep 10, 2002, 8:12 PM

Post #12 of 15 (1510 views)

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Is there Quota below Mazatlan?

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: Done it few times.<p>: Day 1: Leave in AM from Nogales to Los Mochis
: Day 2: Los Mochis to PV<p>: 12 hrs. of driving each day<p>: Quota road is fine!<p>

PV Bound

Sep 11, 2002, 4:24 PM

Post #13 of 15 (1510 views)

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you are loco

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Well, I drove from Pasadena, CA to Mazatlan non-stop. Left at 4:00 p.m. and arrived in Mazatlan at 4:00 p.m. next day. Left Mazatlan at 6 A.M. and arrived in PV at around 2:30 p.m.<p>It can be done in two days no problem.

Darlene

Sep 12, 2002, 10:56 AM

Post #14 of 15 (1506 views)

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REPLY ON MAPS- Any good ones?

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We have been driving through Mexico for years, albeit basically the same routes, and have yet to see a good updated Mexico map. We own a hotel and many of our guests say they have the best map and we ask to see it. Needless to say we've seen many and have yet to see one that is less than several years outdated. If anyone knows of one that they are sure is current, ie driven roads that have been under construction and are now on the map, please post.

heather erickson

Sep 20, 2002, 9:07 PM

Post #15 of 15 (1512 views)

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advice on 2 day tucscon to puerto vallarta tag team drive

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: we are 2 experienced long-distance level-headed drivers with good map abilities but no experience driving in mexico<p>: proposed trip:<p>: DAY 1
: 13:00 leave tucson int'l airport
: 14:00 border crossing
: --already know rental car policy on mexico & mexico car crossing drill
: 17:00 border crossing complete
: -- hit central time as leave arizona
: --nogales to hermisillo
: 19:30 sunset
: 20:00 dark - hermisillo motel<p>: DAY 2
: 06:00 leave hermisillo
: 20:00 arrive puerto vallarta<p>: QUESTIONS
: any comments on driving on to ciudad obregon, los michos or culiacan after dark?<p>: is an hour for the border crossing sufficient in most cases with car paperwork?<p>: is 14 hours probably enough for day 2 travel?<p>: any recommendations for good driving maps online or in bookstores for mexico? i'm using msn map point - the directions are specific, but has anyone used map point in mexico with success?<p>: thanks<p><p>
 
 
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