Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

johninajijic

Nov 30, 2010, 7:09 AM

Post #1 of 11 (4217 views)

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Traffic Nightmare driving to GDL Yesterday

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Yesterday we went to the old Costco near Galerias Mall, but much later than normal. We left the Pemex on the Libriamento at 1:40 PM. We were approaching the area before you go up the hill to GDL where it says Bienvenidos a Guadalajara. Four lanes of traffic STOPPED. Creeping at 0 - 5 mph. They had 2 or 3 of the left lanes blocked off. We were in traffic at least 25 minutes. On the way home we saw traffic backed up going into GDL from the Airport creeping ahead.

Vichil

Nov 30, 2010, 7:27 AM

Post #2 of 11 (4204 views)

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Re: [johninajijic] Traffic Nightmare driving to GDL Yesterday

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It has been that way for a while and by the look of it wil that way for another while. This traffic back-up has to be taken into account for anyone with an appointment in Guadalajara. It can add a good 20 to 30 minutes to the commute when everything goes well.

mexliving

Nov 30, 2010, 7:33 PM

Post #3 of 11 (4105 views)

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Re: [Vichil] Traffic Nightmare driving to GDL Yesterday

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the pereferico is full of traffic.... specially at the area where the new stadium is located at.

Vichil

Dec 1, 2010, 5:10 AM

Post #4 of 11 (4065 views)

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Re: [mexliving] Traffic Nightmare driving to GDL Yesterday

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We are not talking about the pereferico but the Chapala Guadalajara Highway where there is work going on near the hill where the hotel is on the left handside. It looks like they are making a new entry into the highway from the hill.
The perefico is awful and I try to never go that way.

tashby

Dec 1, 2010, 8:59 AM

Post #5 of 11 (4027 views)

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Re: [Vichil] Traffic Nightmare driving to GDL Yesterday

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I got pinched in that bottleneck when I drove to the beach last week. It was a weekday, around noon. It was bad but it wasn't thaaaaaaat bad. Maybe I got lucky. I still made good time to the Nayarit coast.

I didn't notice if traffic was choked in the other direction, getting out of Guadalajara and heading to Chapala via the GDL/Chapala Highway. When I drive back in a few days, I'll have to toss that coin....the periferico or through town.

Vichil

Dec 1, 2010, 7:02 PM

Post #6 of 11 (3960 views)

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Re: [tashby] Traffic Nightmare driving to GDL Yesterday

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I drove it 5 times in the last two weeks and it was between bad and very bad. One day we had an accident before the hill and then the slow down at the Tapatio hotel and it took us for ever to get to the center but I will take it before I go via the pereferico which I hate. Good luck on your way back.

johninajijic

Dec 2, 2010, 6:53 AM

Post #7 of 11 (3914 views)

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Re: [tashby] Traffic Nightmare driving to GDL Yesterday

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Leaving GDL via the Chapala - GDL Carretera is "no problema", clear as can be, 70 mph all the way home.

chinagringo

Dec 2, 2010, 7:34 AM

Post #8 of 11 (3904 views)

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Re: [tashby] Traffic Nightmare driving to GDL Yesterday

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One person's opinion/observations on the traffic in Guadalajara: in my 10+ years of (part time) driving in and around Guadalajara, I have been impressed how well the traffic moves for a city of its size. It makes no difference exactly which of the many population estimates one believes to accept the fact that Guadalajara is a major city in size. If one compares the size with similar sized cities in the US or for that matter cities around the world - I think you would find much more severe traffic elsewhere. Sure when there is an accident or the ever present construction, it does slow things down. But on the other hand, Mexican drivers seem to be more capable of making do and maintaining some flow. Their techniques would probably be frowned upon in more regimented societies but they do make it work. I would also say that we see far fewer accidents when driving in Guadalajara and the rest of Mexico compared to the amateurs that they let on the roads NOB. There is no question that aggressive/offensive driving is the norm but the drivers also have well developed defensive driving skills as a result!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

tashby

Dec 6, 2010, 8:17 AM

Post #9 of 11 (3769 views)

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Re: [johninajijic] Traffic Nightmare driving to GDL Yesterday

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Drove back yesterday (Sunday). As mentioned, there was no problem on the Chapala-GDL Highway heading south toward the lake. But dang, getting through the Lopez Mateos intersection via Lazaro Cardenas is a drag - in both directions - with the bridge construction. I wish I had chosen the periferico, especially since it was Sunday, but I wasn't in the mood after driving 5 hours.

skier14

Dec 6, 2010, 9:50 AM

Post #10 of 11 (3749 views)

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Re: [tashby] Traffic Nightmare driving to GDL Yesterday

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I drove the Chapala-GDL route last evening around 7:30 pm. Slow, but no big hang-ups. Of course no construction going on. I was also on the Lazaro Cardenas- Lopez Mateos yesterday afternoon going both east and west. The big problem traveling east is the reduction of lanes. Use the outside lane(far right) for the fastest transit.

tashby

Dec 7, 2010, 11:55 AM

Post #11 of 11 (3670 views)

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Re: [skier14] Traffic Nightmare driving to GDL Yesterday

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And then today, Tuesday, all four lanes were open again going up the hill into GDL on the GDL-Chapala highway. Had an appointment by EXPO this morning and practically FLEW there, exiting Lazaro Cardenas at Mariano Otero.

Can't tell if the job is "done, done", or just not getting "more done" today.