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Kati

Jul 27, 2002, 11:09 PM

Post #1 of 3 (188 views)

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Los Angeles to Guadalajara--What's the safest way?

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My husband and I are thinking of driving from the LA area to Guadalajara this January. We'll have our 4-year old with us, so we are concerned MOST with SAFETY. In addition to safe roads, we'd like to stay in the safest possible cities along the way, but are not sure where logical stopping points would be. He is Mexican, but has never driven through, so we are at a loss! Thanks for any help!

jose

Jul 28, 2002, 11:14 AM

Post #2 of 3 (190 views)

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Los Angeles to Guadalajara--What's the safest way?

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There are two options for your quest. One is to go through Juarez, Chihuahua or Nogales, Sonora. They are both good Ports of Entry. I make the same trip almost every year for the last 6 years execpt for last year. I live in the Central Valley here in California. I make the trip in 32 hours (drve time)going through Juarez and Aprox. 30 Hours going through Nogales. They both have their good points and Its no more dangerous than going cross country. I also have children, three to be exact, 5, 8, and 9 year olds that I care very much for their safety and when it comes to that I do not think twice. Choosing your route would be best achieved by getting a map and deciding wich is best for you. I personally like Juarez, Chihuahua for the following reasons, 1) If I leave Visalia, Ca at 7:pm I will arrive at the Border at 10:am the following day. Giving me the oportinity to drive in the U.S. all night and driving during the day in Mexico to arrive at a Hotel in either Delicias, Chihuahua or Jimenez, Chihuahua by mid afternoon 4 or 5 p.m. One drawback to this idea is that if you cannot drive at night due to falling asleep or long hours driving. 2) Going through Juarez, Chihuahua allows you to to cover more American roads than if you were to Travel through Nogales. This actually has a dual benefit. The cost of the tolls going through Juarez is about $40-45 dollars as opposed to $80-90 dollars or something like that going thruoug Nogales ONE way. Also what most people forget is that gasoline is about $2.35 a gallon in Mexico. If you travel more miles in Mexico, you will spend more on gasoline. I have also noticed that going through Juarez, Chihuahua, you will encounter less Military and Government checkpoints. My family is from Zacatecas state and My wife's family is from Guadalajara. By me choosing the Juarez route I can be more assured that I have family members along the way should something happen. I have driven by myself and my family for the last 3 years(exept last year) and personaly I feel confident that The trip is safe and relatively easy (with planning of course) There are many, many, many factors that you need to decide on and I would be happy to answer any of your questions. I also go to Guadalajara in January and find that it is a great time to go. Wheather is nice there, while here it is cold and dreary here. Just remember, whatever route you decide on taking, do your homework, find out what is needed and that can assure you a great trip. I've known people that have gotten lost for hours or are stuck at the border because they did not provide the proper paperwork.

Efrain

Aug 23, 2002, 1:46 PM

Post #3 of 3 (191 views)

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Los Angeles to Guadalajara--What's the safest way?

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I agree with Jose, I like going through Juarez. I too live in LA and just got back from GDL (Villa Hidalgo, Jalisco to be exact) I left here on a Friday morning (5am) and got to El Paso Texas at about 6:30pm local time and spent the night there. Left El Paso around 7am and got delayed 3 hours getting my permit. I drove from Jaurez to Chihuahua, Chihuahua to Jimenez, Jimenez to Gomez Palacion (Durango), Gomez Palacio to Cuencame, Cuencame to Rio Grande (Zacatecas), Rio Grande to Zacatecas City, Zacatecas City to Aguascalientes, and Aguacalientes to Guadalajara. It is mostly all toll road and safe. <p>I really recommend obtaining your car permit at the Mexican counselate here in LA or in Tijuana prior to driving to El Paso, you will save yourself a lot of time and hassle. I also recommend driving all the way to Chihuahua on the first day since that is really the 1/2 way point of the trip. Next yerar Im obtaining my permit in TJ since I go there about once a month and then driving all the way to the city of Chihuahua on my first day of travel. If you leave LA around 5am you should get to Chihuahua about 10pm. There is a Holiday Inn Express right before entering the city off the 45 highway.<p>Hope this helps.