Driving

[Beachbum]

My wife and I will be traveling to Mazatlan next April. How safe is it to drive there, what is the best route and is it true there is a toll road that is considered a good highway. Thanks

Originally Posted by Beachbum

My wife and I will be traveling to Mazatlan next April. How safe is it to drive there, what is the best route and is it true there is a toll road that is considered a good highway. Thanks

I looked at your profile and see you are in OR. correct?? I would assume you would be coming into Mexico at Nogales, AZ. Mexico Hwy 15 runs from Nogales south through Mazatlan. It is a 4 lane toll road. And is in good condition for Mexico. As for safety, you will be safer in Mexico than you are on any major interstate or city in the US. A good rule to follow is use the same good sense in Mexico that you would at home. You will find nice motels all along the way. Enjoy your trip.

[Quién Soy Yo?]

. . . you will be safer in Mexico than you are on any major interstate or city in the US.

I'll describe the above quote as a bit of exaggeration.

[Beachbum]

Thanks for the info, both posted and private. We are looking forward to the trip and a wonderful stay in Mazatlan.

[jimmorrison]

hello it is very safe to drive in Mexico, BUT you should have Mex, insurance, do not drive at night, lots of animals on the road, watch for the topees , very had on the veh's, Mazatlan is easy to find off main hiway, injoy ...jim

[sparks]

I just drove it going north. Better to do it in 2 days. Hyway 15 is the route but it goes thru most of the towns along the way (surface streets - not hyway). Tolls are not expensive compared to other hyways in Mexico ... and lost of gas along the way. Hermosillo is the BIG town to go thru but directions are well marked (basically take a left DT)

Originally Posted by Thriftqueen

You will be safer in Mexico than you are on any major interstate or city in the US.

Thriftqueen, my dear. What are you smoking? There is absolutely no comparison between driving on U.S. roadways and Mexican raceways where the crosses of the dead litter the landscape.

[bear]

A reminder to all, Drivers Licenses in Mexico State (the largest population) are purchased, not earned. There is no test, written or driving....none.
The same is true in Distrito Federal, where they may be purchased "for life".
There are 20 million folks in DF. Go figure! Most Mexican drivers DO NOT have a drivers license. Only a few states in Mexico require a test of any kind
to drive a car, or get a license. I bought my Mexico State license, but I had to take a test for one in Querétaro State. I understand testing is required in
Jalisco State. But figure it out. How can driving in Mexico be anything like
driving in the US where every state in the Union has strict requirements for
a drivers license? Most Mexican adults DO NOT HAVE A DRIVERS LICENSE.(and they drive WITHOUT one)
Enjoy your drive through Mexico, folks.
There is a reason we heartily recommend bus travel in Mexico. Bus drivers are
tested before they can get a license (mostly). Bear

[davide]

Interstate 5 is the best route. Exit at Highway 58 near buttonwillow. Take 58 to Barstow, then the interstate to Needles. Enter Arizona and then make a right which takes you through Lake Havasu City. Go south to Quartzite, then left onto I-10. Exit I-10 and go through Buckeye to bypass Phoenix onto I-8. Go to Tucson and then exit onto I-19 to Nogales. [The route will bypass Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Phoenix, which is highly desireable]

In Nogales, the MI CASA RV park is on the main street. Piece of Cake to find. Look on your right side for a sign. It is behind a gas station.

For the border exit, use MARIPOSA ROAD.

I recommend that you visit:

http://www.rollinghomes.com

and purchase the new 2005 Church & Church book on RV'ing Mexico. It lists all of the campgrounds and has maps of how to find the parks. Worth it's weight in gold.

[sparks]

Interstate 5 is the best route. Exit at Highway 58 near buttonwillow

Did anyone ask about US hyways or say where they are coming from. I'll be driving down from Seattle so will look for your landmarks ... but don't know where this response came from (maybe a message from GOD). Actually I was thinking about cutting over towards Bakersfield. Sure don't want to drive hyway 15 this time of year.