How long does it take to drive to Mexico from LA?

Question

and where in Mexico is best to go from there? I am fascinated by the Aztecs and would like to see some historic places, but also to go shopping - where is good if we want to travel from LA for one night and then go back? Will we have enough time to see enough? and what the weather be like in early Dec?

any other info that I might need welcome too.

Answer 1

Wow. I have some bad news backed up with some good advice.

First.. The bad news... The Aztec Empire was in the southern most portions of Mexico. So you will not be driving to any of them. It would be like driving from Alaska to Los Angeles. Not going to happen in one day.

Now the good news... There is plenty to do in Rosarito and Puerto Nuevo. Two towns you can drive to from LA as a day trip. It will take approximately 4 hours to get to Rosarito. This includes stopping for the bathroom, to buy insurance at the border, etc...

You can buy insurance online. And get a much better rate. I used mexpro.com to get mine. It cost me $100 to not only insure the car but also my family for health insurance.

I would suggest you rent a condo and not get a room at a hotel. Go to tripadvisor.com and lookup Mexican hotels for reasons why. Basically, the staff steals your belongings while the security looks the other way.

A good place to lookup condos and houses for rent at rates of $125 to $400 a night is:

http://www.cyberrentals.com/rosarito-bea...

Notice rates will often say per week. So don't flip out on the sticker shock of $650. In the off season they will let you do 1 or 2 nights at $125 each. You will get a furnished condo. I have stayed many times in the La Jolla Towers condos. All of them were excellent.

After settling in Rosarito, fire up the car and go south to Puerto Nuevo (the lobster village). You will have an excellent time. If you really like to drive you can go further south for about another hour and arrive in Ensenada. And if you go another 20 minutes south you can see the blow hole, La Bufadora.

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1971291

Museum of Playas de Rosarito...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Re...

Foxploration (Set where the Titanic was shot)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Re...

Answer 2

From Los Angeles to the border is about 2.5 to 3.5 hours (depending on traffic).  If you want to drive your car over the border, make sure you get Mexican insurance and can prove the car is yours.