Forums > Areas > Central Highlands

cristalhombre

Nov 16, 2006, 8:37 PM

Post #1 of 15 (6032 views)

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Michoacan question

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Need some input from you Mexi Travelers.

Is there anyone out there who has driven from Uruapan south on Hwy 37 all the way down to Lazaro Cardenas? Good road? Looks as if it would be a very long days drive over the Sierra Madres. Is Lazaro Cardenas worth a stop for a couple of days? Then a return to Lakeside via the coast to Colima and back up the hill.

The unknown for me is Uruapan to the beach?????

Any comments about this route would help.

Thanks

Brad

"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST...."

bunny

Nov 17, 2006, 9:29 AM

Post #2 of 15 (5999 views)

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Re: [cristalhombre] Michoacan question

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I drove to L.C. from Uruapan on 37 two years ago and somehow (actually, by using an outdated map) missed getting on the autopista--it was a miserable, nervewracking 7 hour drive on narrow, switchback roads with lots of trucks--but quite a spectacular landscape, through the mountains. On the way home I found the autopista, and the road was splendid, except for a very short unfinished stretch near el infiernillo where we had to get back on old 37. The return trip took half the time, and was just as spectacular.

Gretchen

cristalhombre

Nov 17, 2006, 11:23 AM

Post #3 of 15 (5983 views)

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Re: [bunny] Michoacan question

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Maybe I have an outdated map too. Is there a new toll road down to the beach thru Michoacan?? I have a Rand McNally map dated 1998. Where does this autopista you mentioned??

Thanks

"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST...."

tonyburton / Moderator

Nov 17, 2006, 12:15 PM

Post #4 of 15 (5974 views)

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Re: [cristalhombre] Michoacan question

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See map right on this site at http://www.mexconnected.com/...an/mapmichoacan.html with link to detailed pdf map of the state.

cristalhombre

Nov 17, 2006, 12:28 PM

Post #5 of 15 (5969 views)

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Re: [tonyburton] Michoacan question

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Great Map thanks! Do you know if that dotted "section" that mentions detour 2002 on the autopista is now completed?

Any idea of the drive time on this autopista from Uruapan to the ocean beaches?

Thanks

Brad

"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST...."

tonyburton / Moderator

Nov 17, 2006, 12:51 PM

Post #6 of 15 (5964 views)

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Re: [cristalhombre] Michoacan question

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No-one has yet confirmd that it is complete. According to an earlier post, the total drive time between Playa Azul and Nueva Italia was between 4 and 5 hours.

sparks

Nov 18, 2006, 7:05 AM

Post #7 of 15 (5920 views)

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Re: [tonyburton] Michoacan question

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People on a Zihua board say the hyway is finished and about 2.5 - 3 hours to Uruapan (from Zihua)

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

lajollamis

Nov 18, 2006, 8:48 PM

Post #8 of 15 (5883 views)

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Re: [sparks] Michoacan question

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Hi all!

Last April, Senor Michael Dickson, of Tzurumutaro (Near Patzcuaro) fame, drove the Autopista all the way down to the coast then dropped off to go to Zihuatanejo. It is all done, and even though it is a two laner, he said it was just fine. I think he told me that the tolls came to about $40 each way (?), but don't hold me to that. Made it all the way to Zihua in about tres horas.

We will make that run next June.

Happy travels!
Mary Lou (aka Maria Luz)
Live life well!!!

willybak

Nov 19, 2006, 7:15 PM

Post #9 of 15 (5833 views)

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Michoacan question

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I hope that the $40 toll was in Pesos?

Willy

esperanza

Nov 19, 2006, 7:18 PM

Post #10 of 15 (5832 views)

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Re: [willybak] Michoacan question

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Sorry, willybak, the toll roads in Mexico are very expensive. That $40 is USD.

The tolls from Morelia, Michoacán to Guadalajara, Jalisco (approximately a four-hour drive) are $50 USD.

The tolls from Guadalajara to Nuevo Laredo (at the Laredo, Texas border) are over $100 USD.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

willybak

Nov 19, 2006, 7:53 PM

Post #11 of 15 (5825 views)

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Michoacan question

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My, that is costly. Ugh!
It appears that it would be cheaper to take a bus to places and rent taxis after you get there.

Willy

lajollamis

Nov 19, 2006, 9:55 PM

Post #12 of 15 (5808 views)

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Re: [willybak] Michoacan question

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Yes Sir! It would be cheaper and pretty convenient especially if you are not used to the ways of drivers in Mexico, not to mention the different laws.

The cost of gasoline, plus the cost of tolls results in travel around the country that is quite expensive. But, the cuota (toll) roads are real time savers, safer, and much more direct that the regular highways. And generally, they are not congested with traffic since, guess why? They are so expensive for the average citizen.

Lots of folks use the excellent bus system to get around, and in some cases, even when they have a car. Worth researching. They come in several classes of comfort and price.

Maria Luz
Live life well!!!

Bloviator

Nov 20, 2006, 7:11 AM

Post #13 of 15 (5793 views)

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Re: [willybak] Michoacan question

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It is about as cheap to fly to Tijuana from Guad for two people as it is to drive - cheaper if one considers lodging costs along the way.

When we drove from Ajijic to Playa del Carmen is was considerably more expensive to drive than to fly once all costs were considered - including the $500 peso "fine" for making a left turn on green in Puebla and the cost of lodging along the way.

bunny

Nov 25, 2006, 7:03 PM

Post #14 of 15 (5693 views)

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Re: [tonyburton] Michoacan question

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Just had breakfast with friends who recently drove that route: the cuota is finished (as someone here has said), and tolls are about 250 pesos from Morelia to the coast. Driving time, 4 hours Morelia to Playa Azul, less to Zihua, since the highway bends off in that dxn.

Gretchen

tonyburton / Moderator

Nov 25, 2006, 8:19 PM

Post #15 of 15 (5684 views)

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Re: [bunny] Michoacan question

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Thanks! I'd meant to post earlier that I'll update the map when I get a chance.