Driving to Mexico (Guadalajara) Need tips !?

Question

I will be driving to Guadalajara Mexico.. I need tips.. I am kind of scared..and want to ensure I have all aspects covered. I will not be driving direct. I would like to stop and rest for the night where would be a good location. What are things I should avoid?

Answer 1

Mx is quite safe, but different.

never carry guns or anything that may be called contraband.

get an AAA map, it is possibly the best and has tons of info on both sides of it.

Tolls average about 1.5 pesos per Km (0.6 miles) but are well worth it as the roads are fairly well maintained.

From Tepic to Gadalahara average about 2plus pesos per Km.

Dont sweat the military roadblocks which are all over, relax, have fun.

Cash only at Pemex which is Mexicos only gas chain, and they are plentiful.

The other gent who gave a long email is right on everything he said.

relax, have fun,

Neil

Answer 2

DON'T drink the water.

And if your hotel has a blinking vacancy sign, and it's pouring rain, and you're running out of gas, and the clerk is wearing an eye patch, and he tells you he just might have a room...if you don't mind sleeping in a room from which 17 young college girls have disappeared over the last 20 years... then, check right in, and take a load off.  

Don't bother asking for a wakeup call--those one-eyed clerks are HORRIBLE about remembering such things!

Answer 3

A little hard to answer the question when we don't know where you are driving from.  Driving from Nogales down highway #15 is a 3 day trip for me.  

Don't drive at night ¡¡¡

Get Mexican insurance, have your car paid for and in your name, have credit card, and bring money for gas and tolls

-----------------------

Even leaving early it might take some time to get your car permit in Empalme (KM89) and your tourist visa at KM21.  After that I can't make it any further than Navajoa which has some nice hotels as you come into town on your right (one is inexpensive).  From there it's a long haul to Tepic depending if the highway is finished between Mazatlan and Tepic (it can be done if you start early) ... or stop in Mazatlan.

Tepic to Guad is about 4 hours and about 8-9 from Mazatlan.   AAA has a resonable map for highway driving.  Tolls on that highway may be $80-90

Here's a page on my 2005 crossing

http://sparks-mexico.com/mex2005/nogales...

Answer 4

my stepdad is mexican and from that city so he says avoid almost everyone that to you looks suspicious until you get past the servals cities near tj or after it, keep/park your vehicle where you can see it as for sleeping somewhere i wouldn't know. sorry i can't be of much help

Answer 5

take lots of water and toilet paper

Answer 6

Take care of yourself !

Answer 7

the things you should avoid are DRIVING IN MEXICO!!!