Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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Hi all. I just returned from a nice week in Sayulita, Mexico and am looking to take a roadtrip back to the region this summer. I'll be driving from Los Angeles to Guadalajara but would like to see San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, and San Miguel de Allende along the way. My question is, what is the best route to San Luis Potosi and as I'm assuming I can't make it there from the border in one day, where is the best (safest/most interesting) place to spend a night? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Apr 13, 2010, 10:29 AM

Post #2 of 18 (5955 views)

Re: [Rutha57] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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I haven't gone there from LA but my suggestion would be take I-10 over to Texas, enter at Ciudad Acuna down to Allende, then it's Mx57 all the way. You can do that in one day.

Rutha57

Apr 13, 2010, 10:34 AM

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Re: [Reefhound] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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Bing maps has me crossing in AZ and driving through Chihuahua and Torreon. Thoughts?

Apr 13, 2010, 10:56 AM

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Re: [Rutha57] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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Looks like it might be a bit shorter than the route I mentioned (cutting the corner) but with more miles driven in Mexico and more road changes. Doubt you could make SLP from border in one day (without night driving). From Torreon, would you drive down through Zacatecas or cut over to Saltillo and take 57?

Apr 13, 2010, 11:03 AM

Post #5 of 18 (5941 views)

Re: [Reefhound] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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What is your goal? To get there as quickly and easily as possible or to have a more relaxing and enjoyable journey getting there? Are you road warriors able to drive 12 or more hours per day and like to knock it out all at once or do you like to tackle it in smaller segments? Do you have a rough sketch of your itinerary or what you think it might be?

Apr 13, 2010, 1:48 PM

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Re: [Rutha57] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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"Bing maps has me crossing in AZ and driving through Chihuahua and Torreon. Thoughts?"

As someone who has made the drive from Santa Teresa, NM (just west of El Paso) too many times to remember - I find a couple of things wrong with your plan.

From what I understand, the drive from Nogales across the top of Mexico to Chihuahua can be very problematic. Especially when one considers the route south to Chihuahua. This entire section of Mexico has experienced incidents related to the so-called "war on drugs". Without looking at a map, I believe that is Hwy 2 that runs west to east in your case and certainly would not be my choice.

To give you an idea of driving times - we have often crossed the border at Santa Teresa, NM between 6:30 & 7:00AM. Our only timeouts from driving are for gas and lunch and I typically drive between 80 & 100 mph, depending on highway conditions. Since there is a time change from mountain time to central time, you lose an hour headed south. We generally arrive in Torreon between 4:00 & 5:00 PM, keeping with our no driving after dark rule. It is an intense day of driving and may take someone who has not driven the route quite a bit longer. Chihuahua can be somewhat confusing to transverse - one wrong turn and you will get a tour of the city. Again, there have been numerous incidents along the route to Torreon and within that city too.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Rolly

Apr 13, 2010, 2:04 PM

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Re: [chinagringo] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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I should pipe up to say that things have grown very much calmer around Torreón recently. The word is that Los Zetas have decamped to join the fighting in north-eastern México.

Avoid highway 2!!!!! Nogales to Chihuahua is certainly not your best route. Neil is right.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Rutha57

Apr 13, 2010, 5:45 PM

Post #8 of 18 (5856 views)

Re: [Reefhound] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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Thank you all for the responses. I don't know much about Sonora and the northern mainland, so my goal would be to get to San Luis Potosi et al as quickly and safely as possible. 12 hours is probably too much for me to drive in a day, but I can handle 10. As for itenerary, I don't plan on entering Mexico until at least Nogales as I don't particularly want to drive on Mexican toll roads if I can take the I-10 without losing a ton in the way of mileage. I'd spend the night in the U.S. close to wherever I plan on crossing, cross the border around dawn, and try to get away from the border. As I'm travelling with my girlfriend (who is native) I'm fine sacrificing time and distance for safety. I'm open to any suggestions as to the best route to take, but like I said, SLP, Guanajuato, SM de A, are all spots I'd like to spend some time in on the way to Guadalajara. Thanks again!

clinn

Apr 13, 2010, 6:33 PM

Post #9 of 18 (5836 views)

Re: [Rutha57] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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While longer in miles, we have found that staying on I10 to Hwy 90 to either Piedras Negras or Columbia is a better choice. Actually, it is faster. Then, the drive from the border to SLP is doable in a day. We often do it crossing at Columbia.

Apr 13, 2010, 6:44 PM

Post #10 of 18 (5827 views)

Re: [Rutha57] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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Rutha57:

As I said in my previous response, we used to do the border to Torreon our first day of travel into MX. Recently we have revised out route/timetable. Now we don't cross the border until 10 or 11 AM and stay our first night at the HAMPTON INN in Chihuahua : http://www.hamptoninn.com/...222Q?ctyhocn=CUUMXHX
We then leave Chihuahua at between 8:30 & 9:00AM and drive to Zacatecas, a wonderful colonial city. In the "centro" district, there is a BEST WESTERN Argento Inn. Secure underground parking in the heart of the great city center. Not jump up and down fancy but certainly adequate and lots of restaurants nearby. From there, you would be on your own to SLP, since we have never been there.

I would strongly suggest that you toss your idea about not traveling on the Mexican toll roads out the window! I am assuming from your post that you will be two women traveling. Not only are the road conditions generally better on the toll roads but by paying a toll, you also receive road assistance in the event of a breakdown but also other benefits. Part of this route, you have no choice and can only travel on the libres but the toll roads are the way to go when available.

I would recommend staying in tune with the current events in the ongoing war on drugs since these areas tend to be involved with the ongoing struggle. Sure we have never experienced a problem but we had planned another trip SOB back in March and decided that we did not wish to play "Mexican Roulette".
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

(This post was edited by Rolly on Apr 13, 2010, 7:36 PM)

Apr 13, 2010, 7:02 PM

Post #11 of 18 (5819 views)

Re: [Rutha57] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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No matter what you have a VERY long drive and if the limit is 10 hours per day I think you're looking at three days. Mapping out routes (using Google for U.S. and Point to Point for Mexico) I get anywhere from 24 to 28 hours drive time.

The shortest route seems to be enter at Aqua Prieta, AZ and go through Chihuahua and Torreon. You're looking at 10 hours from LA to border then 14 hours from border to SLP. But that route is perhaps the most unsafe, taking along the border on the Mexican side for a few hours.

Next would be Santa Theresa the way Neil goes. 12 hours LA to El Paso then 14 hours to SLP. Neil can tell you if the 14 hours is a good number or not. I see on the map a crossing at Puerto Palomas that would keep you away from Juarez but haven't heard anything about that crossing.

Another option is cross at Presidio TX, about 16 hours from LA (but Google bases on 60mph and you should be able to cut a few hours off) then 12 hours to SLP. Might be able to beat the dark if you leave early and boogie but it'll be tight. If not, Mx57 is pretty good road from Saltillo to SLP. People tie up animals along the road here and there. I've driven it at night a few times, even in heavy rain.

The route I mentioned originally is the longest yet I believe the easiest and safest. Almost 20 hours LA to Del Rio then a little over 9 to SLP.

Personally, I'm not sure which route I would choose. There's something to be said for safe and easy yet on the other hand it's mighty tempting to go for the shortest drive time. It's probably a call I'd make at the last minute based on the latest violence reports. The only time I'm not comfortable driving in Mexico is in the border area.

Apr 14, 2010, 7:07 AM

Post #12 of 18 (5764 views)

Re: [Reefhound] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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First - crossing at Palomas would not be recommended. Palomas has been known for years as a staging area for Mexicans headed north and in recent years as a staging area for drugs headed north. It is virtually controlled by those conducting illegal activities and reports are that the regular folk have vacated in droves. way too many opportunities for something negative to happen there!

The Santa Teresa, NM crossing: http://www.nmborder.com/santa_teresa.html is an easy and painless crossing. Heading for El Paso on I10, the exit (#13? I think) is clearly marked and it is a 15 or 20 minute drive west & south to the border crossing. Full service crossing where you can obtain the vehicle permit and FMT. From our experience, it is a low key crossing and when we have received the "red light", they either ignored it by waiving us on or just looked inside briefly before sending us on our way. About 100 yards from the crossing, there has been a military checkpoint and while polite, they have been very thorough. Once on our way, it is 10 to 15 minutes south to the cuota (Hwy 2) and heading east to Hwy 45. The best thing about this route is that you DO NOT go near Juarez and you end up joining Hwy 45, miles south of the city! The Aduana checkpoint is south of the junction and then one heads for Villa Ahumada (Menonnite cheese town) and on to Chihuahua. As I said, getting through Chihuahua can be confusing but there are two "Ruta Paisanos" and if one follows the signage on either, you can get through the city with relative ease.

Please feel free to PM me if you want additional info.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

jerezano

Apr 14, 2010, 7:19 AM

Post #13 of 18 (5759 views)

Re: [Reefhound] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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Hello Rutha 57,

If you are going to San Luis Potosí first and want to get there quickly the most logical and easiest method would be to drive all the way to Harlingen, Texas via US interstate highways I-10 and I-83. A long trip, but much safer and on better highways than you will find in Mexico (even the cuotas or toll roads) and at no additional cost.

Overnight in Harlingen, leave there at 7:00 AM, cross at the Free Trade International Bridge at Los Indios (a very easy and fast crossing), drive straight south on a well paved and not heavily trafficed and typical state highway to Valle Hermosa, straight on to the junction with the Cd. Victoria coastal highway from Matamoros, straight on to Cd. Victoria. Lunch there, and then the VIA CORTA to San Luis Potosí. No tolls whatsoever, and excellent, although not super, highways all the way. It will be a nine to 10 hour day including break and lunch times. You will arrive at SLP about 4:30 to 6:00 PM, depending on your travel speed. The VIA CORTA is a marvel of Highway engineering. It cuts through the Sierra Madre Oriental (one short tunnel) and is downhill all the way to the other side.

Many people who live in San Miguel de Allende use this route and swear by it. I like it myself although it adds about 2 shours to my travel time from Harlingen to Zacatecas city. But that is because I have to backtrack to the west for some two hours.

If you like shorter days you can overnight in Cd. Victoria or later by backtracking North an hour or so to Matehuala. Which would then get you into SLP before noon or long before depending on your departure time. SLP is a very interesting city with reasonable business (family-type) hotels in the center and up-scale hotels on the outskirts. If you want to explore, I would recommend downtown.

Have a good trip and relax. Take the easy route unless you are adventurous. Touch base with Ed and Fran from Tuxpan, Veracruz about this route at least as far as Cd. Victoria. Check posts here on mexconnect for the SLP to San Miguel de Allende route. From SMA to Guadalajara is pan comida by cuota almost all the way, although there are other routes which are less costly and less traveled. Check them out here on the forums.

Hasta luego, jerezano.

(This post was edited by jerezano on Apr 14, 2010, 7:28 AM)

Apr 14, 2010, 7:42 AM

Post #14 of 18 (5745 views)

Re: [jerezano] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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I will have to disagree with that route, jerezano. Having gone the route you mentioned, I'll agree it is a very nice route to SLP - coming from north or east Texas. But they would be coming from west Texas, all the way from LA. It makes no sense to swing an extra 200 miles east (which has to be doubled back), adding 400 miles to their trip.

It's not as fast as going Laredo/Monterrey/Saltillo/SLP (8 hours drive). And about the same time as crossing Eagle Pass or Ciudad Acuna. Google shows 357 miles and 6:30 hours from Del Rio (Ciudad Acuna) to Harlingen (Los Indios), and since the times from border to SLP are about the same from each, that represents all extra drive time (and gas costs).

Not to mention they will need a FMT and the Banjercito at Los Indios doesn't open until 9am (and not at all on Sunday) so a 7am crossing is out. As you know, trying to reach points deep into Mexico before dark requires early starts.

Apr 14, 2010, 8:38 AM

Post #15 of 18 (5726 views)

Re: [Reefhound] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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The fact that there are differing opinions being expressed with respect to the OP points out that there really is no right answer that is "one size fits all". For the experienced Mexico traveler, we would all like to think we know best but it really boils down to our comfort zones and what we are used to. As to our preferred route, I only consider it the best option when traveling from New Mexico. Then again, I am often amazed by the people from Colorado who drive all the way into Texas to cross at Laredo or one of the other crossing points along that part of the border. To each his or her own on these personal decisions on their preferred route!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

jerezano

Apr 14, 2010, 9:30 AM

Post #16 of 18 (5710 views)

Re: [Reefhound] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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Hello all,

Reefhound, is absolutely right. The shortest route both in time and miles is from Laredo to Monterrey (the periférico) to Saltillo (really Ramos Arizpe) and then 57 to San Luis Potosí. It is also expensive cuota until past the Los Charcos summit.

But with recent events in the Laredo, Monterrey areas it just might not be the safest. It is also not the most pleasant drive in this world. The landscape all the way from the other side of the Los Charcos divide once past the apple orchards is nothing but desolate desert. Nothing but snake skins for sale for miles. It is also the most heavily trafficked highway by large trucks and semi-trailers into Mexico City. But then the highway presents no problems of getting around those trucks either. That is once past the Los Charcos summit. It is also heavily patrolled by the black and white federales.

But then, who can predict safe routes into Mexico anymore?

Hasta luego. jerezano

Apr 14, 2010, 10:12 AM

Post #17 of 18 (5699 views)

Re: [jerezano] Seeking Road Trip Advice to GDL

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Until the gangs started setting up checkpoints on the cuotas I would have called the Laredo route the safest. Nothing but four lane highway and cuota all the way, no desolate stretches, and you can go from Nvo Laredo to SLP without a single traffic light. But the recent problems is why i didn't suggest that route.

What I dislike most about the Harlingen route is driving through Valle Hermosa with all it's topes. That town is obsessed with topes. It's not enough to put one or two here and there, in some places they lay out ten or so in a row spaced a few feet apart. What's the point in that? If you didn't slow for the first two or three you either no longer have a suspension in your car or you're driving a tank. And a slow zone for 10km and a dozen or so long red lights with people standing on the corners soliciting for charity. Or are they really cartel lookouts? Or carjackers waiting for the right vehicle? First rule of carjacking - car has to be stopped. Most carjackings happen at red lights.

But trying to determine the "fastest" or "safest" route is really a crap shoot because of the random nature of the factors that go into that. I say pick a route, develop a loose plan, and consider it an adventure.

robt65

Apr 27, 2010, 10:45 AM

Post #18 of 18 (5488 views)