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MammaChat

Sep 1, 2007, 9:32 AM

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Driving

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Does anybody know the distance from San Luis Potosi to San Miguel de Allende? Does anyone have any comments about ACE insurance in Mexico?

(This post was edited by CharlotteCaldwell on Sep 1, 2007, 12:32 PM)

toddmc

Sep 1, 2007, 9:48 AM

Post #2 of 21 (3083 views)

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Re: [CharlotteCaldwell] Driving

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If you go north to Dolores then east to the highway, follow the highway north to SLP it should be about 190 kilometers.
As the crow flys its about 140 Kilometers.

Todd

*************
Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com

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Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com

MammaChat

Sep 1, 2007, 10:09 AM

Post #3 of 21 (3078 views)

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Re: [CharlotteCaldwell] Driving

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My husband and I are driving down to San Miguel at the end of the month. We were considering staying in San Luis Potosi rather than driving straight through. Since it is less than 100 miles distance does this even make sense? Do you have a better suggestion? Thanks.

toddmc

Sep 1, 2007, 10:21 AM

Post #4 of 21 (3074 views)

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Re: [CharlotteCaldwell] Driving

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Well, it all depends on where you are coming from.

Todd
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Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com

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Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com

Papirex

Sep 1, 2007, 11:13 AM

Post #5 of 21 (3060 views)

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Re: [CharlotteCaldwell] Driving

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These links may help: http://www.maps-of-mexico.com/...distance-chart.shtml or, http://www.trace-sc.com/distance.htm
they don’t list San Miguel de Allende, but you may be able to pick another nearby city to get a rough idea of the distance. These sites list many locations in México and are a good place to start when planning a trip if you are not familiar with the country.

Rex

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

(This post was edited by RexC on Sep 1, 2007, 2:55 PM)

MammaChat

Sep 1, 2007, 11:14 AM

Post #6 of 21 (3058 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Driving

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Sorry, of course you can't read my mind. We are driving from San Antonio through Laredo.

And one more question/comment. When buying Mexican auto insurance I wondered who you might suggest. I was considering ACE Platinum coverage for a year.

toddmc

Sep 1, 2007, 11:32 AM

Post #7 of 21 (3046 views)

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Re: [CharlotteCaldwell] Driving

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That is quite a long drive, but I suppose that depends on what you are use to.
For me and my driving style I would go from San Antonio to Saltillo.
Then the next day to San Miguel. Then you only have to drive only a little more than 600 kilometers a day. But you might prefer to head straight through.
I have never gone through Laredo, usually crossing at Eagle Pass on my way to Saltillo, I think Laredo might be a little shorter drive.
But I heard the border crossing at Laredo is MUCH busier that Eagle Pass.

I have recently renewed my mexican insurance for our vehicle. Going this year with Lewis & Lewis
Last year we went with Sanborns.
We have heard good things about both companies, but received a substantially better price from Lewis.
I am not familiar with ACE, perhaps others with more experience could comment.

We have never had to make a claim, so I have nothing to report as to how they are to deal with.

Todd

*************************
Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com

jennifer rose

Sep 1, 2007, 12:25 PM

Post #8 of 21 (3033 views)

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Re: [CharlotteCaldwell] Driving

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San Antonio to San Miguel de Allende in a single day is reasonable, IMHO. I've done Laredo - Morelia and the reverse many times, by myself, and under 11 hours. And that's crossing over at Laredo and stopping at Garcia's for a bite to eat.

Much of this depends upon your driving style, familiarity with driving in Mexico, and even how you've packed the car the night before.

MammaChat

Sep 1, 2007, 12:43 PM

Post #9 of 21 (3027 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Driving

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Thanks Jennifer. My husband perceives (rightly or wrongly?) that driving in Mexico will be much slower than driving in the States. He is determined to stop somewhere. Where do you suggest? Do you have insurance recommendations?

Gringal

Sep 1, 2007, 1:06 PM

Post #10 of 21 (3021 views)

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Re: [MammaChat] Driving

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(Chuckle) I know about Jennifer's hot car. For those with a more sedate style, there's the two day trip.
We bought some Sanborn's insurance and got a bagful of useful maps and information. Upon a friend's recommendation, we drove from Laredo and avoided San Luis Potosi altogether. We went around SLP, a busy city. and stopped at a nice roadside motel in Matahuela. Can't recall the name, but it's big, had nice facilities and comfortable rooms. Lots of palm trees. Las Palmas? Someone else may be able to name the name. From there, we took the road to San Miguel. Arrived before dark, which is good on a first trip. We drove in early August, and took the quotas (toll roads) all the way, when possible. If you can't find San Miguel on the map, the two nearest towns would be Dolores Hidalgo or Queretaro, to get a location indicator.

Good luck!

MammaChat

Sep 1, 2007, 1:18 PM

Post #11 of 21 (3019 views)

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Re: [Gringal] Driving

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Thanks for the advice. Did you have reservations at the hotel/motel in Matehuala?

Gringal

Sep 1, 2007, 4:19 PM

Post #12 of 21 (3000 views)

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Re: [MammaChat] Driving

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Not sure. It's been a few years. I do know they take credit cards. You might try checking out the AAA Mexico book.

Anonimo

Sep 1, 2007, 4:24 PM

Post #13 of 21 (2998 views)

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Re: [MammaChat] Driving

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We stayed at the Casa Real Motor Hotel near Matehuala 2 years ago. We had a very basic and small, yet adequate room, for $35 and that included an ok American breakfast.
We didn't have reservations.

Saludos,
Anonimo

jennifer rose

Sep 1, 2007, 6:07 PM

Post #14 of 21 (2985 views)

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Re: [Gringal] Driving

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Las Palmas is the place in Matehuala.

If you must overnight somewhere, stay in Saltillo. Stay in SLP. Any place but Matehuala.

Guavagto

Sep 1, 2007, 6:49 PM

Post #15 of 21 (2976 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Driving

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It is two hours down 57 from SLP to SMA. You will have come around SLP on the toll road.

We often start in Austin and spend the night in Saltillo. It is an easy second day drive into SMA. When driving from SMA to Texas we drive straight through to Laredo. 9 hours more or less. We take all of the toll roads and stop maybe 3 or 4 times.

I agree with Jennifer about NOT staying in Mat. Toppes from hell and the Las Palmas is terrible IMO. Overpriced, dated with bad food. It is gated but that is the only good thing to say about it. The rooms in the back are quiet but in front the sounds of the big trucks will keep you awake.

Lots of choices in Saltillo for places to stay.

NEOhio1

Sep 1, 2007, 7:35 PM

Post #16 of 21 (2965 views)

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Re: [MammaChat] Driving

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Go thru Eagles Pass/Piedras Negras from San Antonio. We just recentlly did that instead of the Laredo crossing. The Eagles Pass crossing was quiet, well signed easy to do and nobody in line. The drive to Saltillo is fast and beautiful. Slow driving in Mexico - VW Jettas pass me with a big swoosh when I moving am at 90+mph....not slow and the road are wonderful.

Bloviator

Sep 2, 2007, 9:53 AM

Post #17 of 21 (2932 views)

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Re: [MammaChat] Driving

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Driving in Mexico can be as fast as NoB or much slower, depending on the area in which one is driving. Driving from Lakeside to Nogales, etc. is as fast as NoB. There is little traffic, the roads (cuotas) are good, and there are few cities to pass. NoB I figure 50 miles per hour including driving, rest, food, and sleeping (If I'm not sight seeing).

On the other hand when we drove from Lakeside to Playa del Carmen (Opposite Cozumel), we were lucky to average 40 miles per hour. Many of the roads are poor, the traffic is heavy, it is very easy to get lost in various towns - and there are a lot of towns and cities along the way.

I've driven Lakeside to SDiego (1,500 miles) in two days - one time only and never again. I doubt I could drive from Lakeside to Playa del Carmen (also 1,500 miles) in fewer than three and a half days.

I've never driven to Laredo, but have been told that it can be done from Lakeside in one day if one is insane and that the roads are generally good and traffic not a major problem.

Oscar2

Sep 2, 2007, 11:41 AM

Post #18 of 21 (2921 views)

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Re: [MammaChat] Driving

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A Mexican trip of 1500 miles on the surface appears most comfortable with 2 overnight stops prior to reaching my destination. Leaving early, the second morning allows for getting to your final destination in time with plenty of daylight hours left to hunt for other accommodations and or to do other business, if needed.

The rush factor is understandable if needed but if your visiting, kind of sightseeing, its nice to be able to just kick back and enjoy the ride and the surroundings.

sioux4noff

Sep 2, 2007, 1:35 PM

Post #19 of 21 (2903 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Driving

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We've stayed several times in Matehuala. We actually sort of enjoy the little town, and this last time we stayed at the Casa Real. Inexpensive, and the room was adequate for us.
We've stayed in Saltilllo several times too, and enjoy that city as well. Leaving from Waco Texas we make Saltillo in one day without rushing or making too long a day of it.

donnameyer

Sep 3, 2007, 12:09 AM

Post #20 of 21 (2865 views)

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Re: [MammaChat] Driving

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I've always done the trip from San Antonio or Laredo to San Miguel in one day, but I did once do the reverse in two, with a friend. We stopped at Las Palmas in Matehuala. I had no problems with it. But that was about 6 years ago. Perhaps it has gone downhill since then.

I would not plan to stay in San Luis Potosi. If you are going to get that close to SMA, why not go all the way?If you really feel the need to stop, I'd plan on Matehuala or Saltillo and avoid SLP.

The cuota roads are very good, traffic is minimal and you can make very good time.

Donna
Donna
http://www.experience-san-miguel-de-allende.com
Click on "Best SMA Restaurants" to post your own restaurant reviews and recommendations.

MammaChat

Sep 3, 2007, 3:14 AM

Post #21 of 21 (2863 views)

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Re: [donnameyer] Driving

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Donna, thank you (and everyone else who has given me information and advice) for replying to my question. But thank you more for including the website link. Are you the creator of this wonderful world of information? I have already forwarded it to many friends.