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sos99

Sep 15, 2008, 10:12 AM

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Nogales to PV

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We are driving in December for the first time into Mexico on route to PV. Our plan is to cross Nogales early in the morning and then take route down through Hermosillo, Mazatlan then PV. Can we go further than Hermosillo the first day? Can anyone who has done this route please give us suggestions as to driving times, acceptable accomodations and any other bits of information that would be useful. We are expecting this to take the better part of three days of driving. Is that reasonable? Cost of the toll roads would be appreciated as well. Thanks.

RickS

Sep 15, 2008, 1:52 PM

Post #2 of 10 (1011 views)

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Re: [sos99] Nogales to PV

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Here's my version....

Cross at the Mariposa crossing just west of Nogales, not the downtown crossing. Hermosillo is only 185 miles down the toll road, Mex. 15, so you will surely make it farther. I would shoot for staying in the town of Navojoa, about 400 miles from the border. Stay at the Best Western del Rio just as you cross the river coming into town. (If you have some time on your hands there, drive the 40 miles out to the village of Alamos... Google it and you'll find out why). If you don't make it quite that far, there are hotels/motels on the highway in Cuidad Obregon, 50 miles sooner.

The next day you continue on the toll road down to Mazatlan, about another 400 miles. Go 'into' town and over to the Malecón (ocean promenade) where you will find many 'cheap' hotel/motels. I don't mean to imply that they are all cheap but merely that there are many good accommodations for a reasonable price.

The next day continue south on the toll 15 towards PV, about 300 miles total. The first 200 or so gets you to Tepic. There, or just south, you will take Hiway 200 down to PV, going first through Compostela (20 miles?) and then Las Vargas (25? more miles). The next 65 miles is where you will want to drive very 'defensively'. That stretch of road is 2-lane, full of curves AND full of truck traffic.

With respect to the cost of the toll, I would guess around $125-150 total, but maybe someone who has come that way lately can refine that figure.

You can get some pesos in Nogales, AZ. before you cross. One place is in the strip mall at the intersection of I-19 and Mariposa Road (Km. 4 of I-19). The strip mall is to the left (coming down I-19) and has WalMart, Walgreens, Safeway etc. and a couple of 'casa de cambio' to change $ into pesos.

Here is a website that could be of value to you as a first-time driver into Mexico. This site appears to be relatively new, but some things (costs?, etc.) may have changed (In Mexico? Change??).

http://www.nschool.org/mexico/south.htm

Enjoy your trip.

(This post was edited by RickS on Sep 15, 2008, 5:55 PM)

Teo

Sep 15, 2008, 3:36 PM

Post #3 of 10 (994 views)

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Re: [RickS] Nogales to PV

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I would agree with RickS. His is a reasonable itinerary for a 3 day drive. Each day would be about 7-8 hrs on the road. Plaza Navojoa is also a motel option in Navojoa.

Don't forget to stop at km21 for your auto permit and visa paperwork.

Buen Viaje!

thriftqueen

Sep 15, 2008, 5:09 PM

Post #4 of 10 (981 views)

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Re: [Teo] Nogales to PV

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I live in Alamos so I have knowledge of the motels in Navojoa. It seems everyone is stuck on the Best Western, which is a nice motel, however as Teo mentioned Plaza is a new motel as well as the new Fiesta Motel which is apparently part of the Fiesta chain, at least the logos are the same. Both the Plaza and Fiesta are new within the last couple of years. The driving plan outlined at least to Mazatlan is correct. Take an extra day and visit Alamos but stay in Navojoa as the hotels in Alamos are way over priced.

RickS

Sep 15, 2008, 5:50 PM

Post #5 of 10 (974 views)

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Re: [thriftqueen] Nogales to PV

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Thanks, thriftqueen, for a 'locals' update for motels in Navojoa (including a reminder of the correct spelling.... I'm to close to the Navajo Indians I guess!). I am generally not stuck on the Best Western.... it's just the only one I can ever remember (name association with the river). Now I have two more in my repertoire.

Jim B

Sep 15, 2008, 8:25 PM

Post #6 of 10 (960 views)

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Re: [sos99] Nogales to PV

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We have made the drive via Nogales the last three years and agree with all of the above recommendations but also would suggest the following for consideration:

If you don't want to drive into the Mazatlan beach area there is a hotel on the left as the drive the main route (15) through the city. It is also a truck stop but we're had no trouble sleeping and we stay out of the traffic around the beach.

We also like cutting over to San Blas area for the night. This a favorite route of many North Americans with campers avoiding the climb to Tepic the steep twisting road that drop down from Tepic. San Blas has many inexpensive places to stay and than a short hop to PV the next day.

Kimpatsu Hekigan

Sep 15, 2008, 9:23 PM

Post #7 of 10 (956 views)

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Re: [sos99] Nogales to PV

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Don't forget to get your FM-Ts at the border or at the checkpoint at Km 21 south of Nogales. Also, "All of Mexico" vehicle importation permits are available at the same Km 21 checkpoint, or at the facility at Km 98 south of Empalme (between Guaymas and Cd. Obregon). You will be diverted off the highway at the Sinaloa border and checked to make sure you have the vehicle permit.

Click on the link below for a detailed driving guide as far as Alamos:

Highway driving guide to Alamos, Sonora, Mexico from Tucson, AZ, USA

HTH,

-- K.H.

thriftqueen

Sep 15, 2008, 9:57 PM

Post #8 of 10 (953 views)

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Re: [sos99] Nogales to PV

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Cost of the tolls Nogales to Navojoa is 259. pesos. It's been several years since we went to Mazatlan so can't quote those tolls but can tell you even when we went the tolls south of Navojoa were more expensive. There was one stretch of road near Culican that the tolls were very high.

(This post was edited by thriftqueen on Sep 15, 2008, 10:02 PM)

bournemouth

Sep 16, 2008, 6:46 AM

Post #9 of 10 (937 views)

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Re: [Jim B] Nogales to PV

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We've stayed at the hotel JIM B recommends - it's called something like Las Palmas and is right behind the Pemex. Clean and tidy but basic - perfect for just sleeping on a trip. Driving down to the waterfront can be a nuisance if you want to get up and out of town next morning early.

We also took the San Blas route to get to PV - an interesting drive and it's a good way of getting a quick over view of San Blas while avoiding the Tepic road.

(This post was edited by bournemouth on Sep 16, 2008, 6:48 AM)

sos99

Sep 16, 2008, 7:54 AM

Post #10 of 10 (928 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Nogales to PV

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Thank you everyone who posted. Just the information we needed. Being our first trip driving down we are slightly nervous as to what to expect. This forum has really made us much more comfortable about taking the car down. Thanks again.