Is anyone familiar with the drive from Durango,Mexico to Mazatlan,Mexico ?

Question

Is anyone familiar with the drive from Durango,Mexico to Mazatlan,Mexico ?

Answer 1

You'll get the opportunity to experience ''El Espinazo del Diablo''  it's a very lofty peak with hairpin curves on a 2 lane road...it's near the Durango--Sinaloa state line.

Answer 2

The other answer must be a joke, there is absolutely no reason to go through Baja.The ferry is also expensive and slow.You will need to obtain a permit for your car and Mexican auto insurance in addition to your touist visa at the border.A guia Roji road atlas woud also be of help if you have never driven the route.Your name must be on the title,if you are still paying for your car you must have a letter of permission from the bank or finance company to take the car into Mexico.It is quite a long drive you might consider a Bus from the Border.Have a good trip.

Answer 3

The drive is a doozie.  It took me about 9 hours to drive from Durango to Concordia which is near Mazatlan.  Just like driving in the Alps.  Incredible views.  Even though it was early January 2004, there was no snow or ice.  Advice:  let the Mexican truck drivers pass you and anyone else who wants to.  Also remember to honk before you hit some of the worst curves.  And spend a night if you can in one of those  chalet motels along the way --they're run by several generations of German and Austrian immigrants.  Just don't rush and drive only during daylight hours.  I actually spent about 2 hours driving in the dark because I was in a hurry to reach the coast.  Don't hurry!  Take your time and enjoy the spectacular views.  One memorable moment is passing the sign that says Tropico de Cancer, and as you descend you'll start to smell the tropical vegetation.  Other than exploring Puerto Vallarta and places along the Pacific coast, this Devil's Backbone drive was the most memorable part of my entire trip to Mexico.

Answer 4

Once in Mexico try to get a map called GUIA ROJI and then you will see that from Durango to Mazatlán you have to take the highway 40  and drive through Espinazo del Diablo, a two lane highway and with a lot of curves  in the Sierra Madre. the towns follow after you leave Durango are Llano Grande, El Salto, La Ciudad,Los Bancos, El Palmito, Concordia, Villa union.

good luck!

Answer 5

Just take your time! It is called the Devil's Backbone for a reason, it is very curvy,there is no shoulder and there are sheer dropoffs. It is a beautiful drive, though, and will take you around 5 - 6 hours. The new toll road should be open sometime this summer (of course it was supposed to be open by Christmas). Once that happens, it should be about a 2- 2 1/2 hour drive, or so they say.

Answer 6

That is one of the worst routes in México, it is called "el espinazo del diablo" (devil's herringbone), a very BAD idea to go thru it.