What is driving in mexico like?

Question

I'm thinking of a road trip through mexico with a small truck and light camper

Answer 1

h**l!!!

Answer 2

"Wayseer" said it in a word - DANGEROUS.  You never know what to expect on Mexican roads.  Many of the large trucks and older vehicles driven by the Mexican drivers are unsafe and their attitudes about driving are far more relaxed than is safe.  Many drivers will drive anything that runs and maintaining good brakes on a car is not a high priority.  Just look at the tires on cars South of the boarder - that will put the fear of God into you.  Finding livestock, wild burros, children or broken down vehicles in the middle of the road is a frequent occurance.  

If you have an accident in Mexico, God help you, and you had better have enough cash available for mordida (bribes) or you may find yourself in jail.  My daughter (who speaks fluent Espanol) found herself hauled off to jail when a drunk driver hit her parked vehicle on a street in Nogales, Sonora.  After cruel treatment in the police station for several hours, they allowed her to go to an ATM in order to buy her freedom.  

I have driven many miles in Mexico and never had a problem, but the boarder area is the worst part of the country and economic conditions have made it so unpredictable and dangerous that I no longer go there.  I love Mexico and most of the folks I have met there were wonderful, but I will not go back (unless I fly to a vacation spot like Cabo San Lucas for a few days).   I would no longer consider camping in Mexico as a safe activity:  You'd be taking a big risk unless you were in a spot loaded with other (sober) Americans - like some of the popular beach areas.

Answer 3

To put it as charitably as possible, it will be an adventure.

Roads vary. Some are well maintained, others are full of potholes. There are toll roads, which are usually nice but sometimes outrageously expensive ($20 for 100 miles, for example, or worse).  Mexico is mountainous in many areas and the roads are narrow, winding and two-lane, and often overcrowded.  Ancient, overloaded trucks will chug up the grade at extremely slow speeds, belching clouds of smoke, and impatient drivers will pass on blind curves to get around them.

Lots of the behavior of drivers in Mexico will be a bit hair-raising at first, such as the tendency to use the median stripe as a passing lane, and the unofficial rule that largest vehicle always has right of way.

Avoid driving at night if you possibly can; among other reasons, lots of odd, hard to see obstacles may show up, such as poorly-marked road washouts, cattle, and passed-out drunks. Or people driving without headlights, and in a few areas, bandits.

I don't know what the accident rate in Mexico is, but given the conditions and the number of accidents I personally witnessed while down there (2 of them probably fatal), I would guess it's a fair amount higher than the US.

I would carefully follow all traffic laws, because cops see any gringo as a potential source of bribe money and will jump on any infraction or even occasionally make one up.  In Mexico City, there is a law which they don't warn you about that bans certain license plate #s on certain days of the week, and the penalty is huge-  but I recall hearing some Winnebago owners tell us about some cops in Mexico *state*, wielding automatic rifles, extort money out of them for violating that law even though it didn't apply there.

I'm not saying don't do it, just be aware of what you're getting yourself into.  Personally I find it more relaxing to take the bus.  Unless you've got a bunch of people with you, you could afford deluxe bus service for the price of gas; also Mexico is not super-great when it comes to campgrounds or RV parks, at least compared to the US.

Answer 4

Oh my goodness driving in Cozumel, Mexico is basically like suicide/ There speed bumps are huge. I say this because I almost killed my friend and me while driving on a motor scooter. My family and I were their on a cruise December 6th and my cousin and my friends rented two motor scooters, so we were driving and I didnt see the speed bump until the last minuate due to the fact that there weren't any signs around to warn us, and my friend and I flew in the air and hit the pavement. I scraped my ankle and foot  really bad because my shoe had came off, and I scraped my elbow, knee, and had bruises all over my legs. My friend and the bike fell on top of me. His ankle, and arm was busted up pretty bad, I was just apawed by wat had happened. Evey since that trip I know that I will always have this scar and it will remind me of Mexico and thier lack of signs.

Answer 5

Dangerous near the border, a lot of drug runners. Bring a spare tire or two, tools, and a can of gas. Remember that things arent quite as cut and dry as they are in other countries,  you can get out of a sticky situation with a little cash offer. Travel the coastline.

Answer 6

In some areas highways are excellent, other areas, the highways are poor.  There are no shoulders on the roads, except the big toll roads. Use the toll roads whenever you can.  I am an American woman living alone in Mexico and have driven a lot in Mexico and never had a problem...though I have been on some "challenging " roads in remote and mountainous areas.  Just be prepared, use common sense, NEVER drive after sunset ( due to animals on the road, and unexpected holes and bad pavement sometimes).  Get a Guia Roji, the Mexican road atlas...you can order it from Amazon.com.  Have your tire pressure checked every time you buy gas...rough roads really bounce the air out of your tires.  Obey the laws, and enjoy yourself.  You will need to get a car permit and Mexican car insurance.  See the websites below for info and for my favorite ins. company. Every little town has a great mechanic...they can fix anything and the price is low.  Wear your seat belt...they do enforce that on the highways.  if you are ever stopped, be pleasant...often, they just want to practice their English!  I see "Gene" has a differnt outlook...yes there are unsafe vehicles and unsafe drivers on the roads at times...but I have never had a problem...Some Mexican drivers, esp. in cities are rude and aggressive...but the same can be said for many places in the states.  You do need to have a patient and mellow attitude, not be easy to get impatient if a road is closed and you have to turn back, or easy to lose your temper.  Relax, don't have a tight schedule.  I know Americans here who just cannot lose their "hurry-up" American attitude and get sooo impatient on the roads...but if your relax and don't worry about getting "there" at a precise time, you will be much happier.