Forums > Areas > Central Highlands

mexigrl

Nov 29, 2003, 12:41 PM

Post #1 of 10 (5390 views)

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Hints for first time driver to SMA?

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Hi,

About to leave MS to drive to TX and then over the border. Still unsure whether to cross at Laredo or Columbia. Uncle D suggested Columbia and it sounds like a good spot. However, most people say that they just cross at Laredo because of the extra hour it takes to do Columbia. I had thought I'd have a traveling companion with me, but it turns out I will be alone. I will also, most likely, have to stop for one night in between - any suggestions for a safe place since I will have all my worldly goods in the car? If you could share your tips and insights, and and directions that are helpful I would greatly appreciate it!

Cuidate,

Laurianne

One

(This post was edited by mexigrl on Nov 29, 2003, 12:57 PM)

rollajane

Nov 30, 2003, 7:42 AM

Post #2 of 10 (5374 views)

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Re: [mexigrl] Hints for first time driver to SMA?

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We always cross at Columbia even tho there is a 25 mile drive from Laredo you bypass Laredo as you leave the Columbia crossing. Laredo usually has traffic backed up and you have to go into town to get your automobile sticker. At Columbia you get it and everything else done right in a nice new building. Do not go before 9 am. Don't know the closing time. Jane R

Ransuzharriman

Nov 30, 2003, 2:36 PM

Post #3 of 10 (5353 views)

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Re: [mexigrl] Hints for first time driver to SMA?

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I think going through Columbia is worth the extra time, mainly because it's time you otherwise would spend sitting in a line of traffic. Laredo on both sides of the border is really congested, and the time we took our car through the import office there was a real hassle.
Randy & Suzie Harriman
Austin, Texas

RogerTX

Dec 6, 2008, 9:55 PM

Post #4 of 10 (5251 views)

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Re: [Ransuzharriman] Hints for first time driver to SMA?

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I came across this thread looking for driving tips to SMA from Texas. So where exactly is Columbia and are there signs as you drive south on I-35? Sounds like a much better crossing point in BOTH directions. However, I didn't see it on Mapquest.

Thanks!

bournemouth

Dec 7, 2008, 6:03 AM

Post #5 of 10 (5238 views)

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Re: [RogerTX] Hints for first time driver to SMA?

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It's actually spelled Colombia Bridge. It's about 30 miles or so east of Laredo - we like it as a crossing point.

Read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/...International_Bridge

(This post was edited by Rolly on Dec 7, 2008, 6:29 AM)

RogerTX

Dec 7, 2008, 8:13 AM

Post #6 of 10 (5225 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Hints for first time driver to SMA?

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Thanks Bournemouth but just to be sure, you said 'east' of Laredo, right? I'm looking at a map on Mapquest and it's showing Columbia to be just northwest of Laredo. Then again, I don't trust mapquest that much because it keeps referring to the town south of Laredo as Matamoros, which I know is south of Brownsville, not Laredo.

From what I've read on here, it appears to be worth going out of the way to avoid N. Laredo. Would you agree with this?

bournemouth

Dec 7, 2008, 8:19 AM

Post #7 of 10 (5224 views)

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Re: [RogerTX] Hints for first time driver to SMA?

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I did and I'm wrong - it is west - my sense of direction is appalling but I know where Colombia Bridge is!! And yes, we much prefer to go a little out of our way to use this bridge rather than deal with the Laredo crossings. All the paperwork etc. can be done in one building and the officials there are pleasant.

(This post was edited by bournemouth on Dec 7, 2008, 8:20 AM)

RogerTX

Dec 7, 2008, 9:10 AM

Post #8 of 10 (5215 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Hints for first time driver to SMA?

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Awesome... thanks again!

sioux4noff

Dec 7, 2008, 5:25 PM

Post #9 of 10 (5183 views)

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Re: [RogerTX] Hints for first time driver to SMA?

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As you come soth on I-35, there is a marked exit for the Colombia Bridge. You take a toll road to get there.

Camille

Dec 9, 2008, 9:56 PM

Post #10 of 10 (5129 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] Hints for first time driver to SMA?

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I'm with Sue and all the others who have found Colombia crossing to be a sanity-saver for the few brain cells left....if you cross at Laredo you not only have to deal with the city itself (there's not even a village at Colombia.... just the crossing) there's also a nose-bleed high loop you'll have to navigate, and I'm just allergic to heights like that.
Google "Banjercito" and find out how to get your car permit online. Immigration can take just a few minutes, but the lines for the car permit at this time of year could slow you down by an hour.
When you leave Colombia you will be able to bypass even the outskirts of Laredo and be on your way to SMA.