Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

Steve

Aug 13, 2002, 5:46 PM

Post #1 of 6 (831 views)

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Driving from South Florida to Cancun. How long???

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Two of us are driving a full sized Dodge pickup truck from South Florida to Cancun through Brownsville, how is Hwy 180? We are trying to make the BEST time possible. Driving only during daylight is it realistic to plan three days drive?

Joyce Kelly

Aug 14, 2002, 3:12 PM

Post #2 of 6 (830 views)

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Driving from South Florida to Cancun. How long???

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: Two of us are driving a full sized Dodge pickup truck from South Florida to Cancun through Brownsville, how is Hwy 180? We are trying to make the BEST time possible. Driving only during daylight is it realistic to plan three days drive? That doesn't seem realistic I'm afraid. In 2000 (the last time we did it) I logged the time and distance between New Orleans and Cancun as 1911 miles and 46:22 driving time. AAA shows New Orleans to Tampa (you didn't say where in southern Florida) as 648 miles and 13:28. Admitedly, you might do that part a bit faster. Total is 2560 miles and 59:50.Highway 180 from Brownsville/Matamoros is mostly pretty good although there was still a poor section between Ozuluama and Naranjos in Veracruz.

Brian Boles

Aug 17, 2002, 5:31 PM

Post #3 of 6 (824 views)

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Driving from South Florida to Cancun. How long???

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It is 1450 miles from Orlando to Brownsville. That is basic fast Interstate driving with maybe a delay in Houston and a little lost time due to terrible highways in Louisiana.In Brownsville, get your pesos. Get your paperwork in Matamoros and get a motel in San Fernando about 100 miles south of the border. Hotels in Matamoros are only cheap in the market where there is very limited parking. Bottom line, stay at the Motel 6 in Brownsville or stay in a hotel in San Fernando.I drove from Cancun to Brownsville in 30 hours non-stop including at night. This was because I had a problem with my car and was afraid that it wouldn't restart.Have a great trip.Brian
PS From Miami, it is about 1650 miles to brownsville. It is 30 hours of NONSTOP driving from Brownsville to Cancun. (about 1400 miles)Expect 70 to 75 MPH in the US. Expect an average of 50 mph in Mexico at best.

Darlene

Aug 21, 2002, 7:24 AM

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3 12 hour days once you cross the border

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We've done it numerous times. Sanborn's has a good travel guide that helps pick up the by-passes and short cuts. We skip Veracruz and pick up the cuota. Every six months a little more of the cuota is completed and makes driving through the low lands around Minatitlan south much easier, however a little pricey. Once into the Yucatan, use the southern route across, Escarcega to Chetumal. Once out of Villermosa hotels are hard to find, try to make that your last stop and drive from there to Cancun on your last day. A long drive, but to shorten it Bacular is the first city with several hotels to choose from. Do not stay in Escarcega, a pretty rough place, the roughest on the whole 3 day trip. Bring food with you to eat in the car, no fast food stops along the way.: Two of us are driving a full sized Dodge pickup truck from South Florida to Cancun through Brownsville, how is Hwy 180? We are trying to make the BEST time possible. Driving only during daylight is it realistic to plan three days drive?

Sep 12, 2002, 10:12 AM

Post #5 of 6 (825 views)

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Driving from South Florida to Cancun. How long???

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: Two of us are driving a full sized Dodge pickup truck from South Florida to Cancun through Brownsville, how is Hwy 180? We are trying to make the BEST time possible. Driving only during daylight is it realistic to plan three days drive? I think I remember reading that there is car ferry service from Tampa starting soon or already.....let me know if you find it....

joe dupont

Oct 1, 2002, 6:57 AM

Post #6 of 6 (828 views)

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Driving from South Florida to Cancun. How long???

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