Road from Loredo to Mazatlan

We will be crossing the border at Loredo and driving toward Mazatlan and would appreciate info on road conditions, where to stay over night and anything else we should know. What places do you recommend to stop and see along the way? We're staying the winter in MX, so we're not in a hurry to get anywhere....except outta the cold!!! Then we plan to head south towards PV.

Thanks!!!

PPUUULLLLEEAASSSE! This is our first time driving from Ontario to Mexico and would REALLY appreciate any advice you can offer.

[sparks]

Try Lonely Planet Mexico message board. Much more action than this very slow MB.

[Dr. Charles]

I think perhaps the first thing you should do is look at the U.S. State Dept travel advisory to see if the violence, kidnapping and running gun battles are still commonplace in LAredo between the rival narcotráfficers.

Originally Posted by Dr. Charles

I think perhaps the first thing you should do is look at the U.S. State Dept travel advisory to see if the violence, kidnapping and running gun battles are still commonplace in LAredo between the rival narcotráfficers.

Today in the Nogales Sonora newspaper, there was an article about Nuevo Laredo. This was the area in which the advisory was pretty much made about. The article said the recent crime rate in Nuevo Laredo has dropped 75% due to military presence. This could still be a very dangerous area, and it would be the last place I would ever decide to cross the border. The military is there because of all the kidnappings that were taking place. If you still need to cross there, I would just use main roads and not stop at all until Monterrey. I don't think that's very far.

sparks - thanks!...just posted a message on thorn tree.

Dr. Charles - Yikes! where do I find info with the U.S. State Dept travel advisory?

haaamean - ack!! Is the Nogales Sonora newspaper online? Any idea where I can find out more about this?? From looking at the map this is the most convinient crossing but after getting these responses we may well have to change the route!

Thanks for all your help! Sure glad I posted this message...it could change our travel plan BIG time!

Originally Posted by SanJean

sparks - thanks!...just posted a message on thorn tree.

Dr. Charles - Yikes! where do I find info with the U.S. State Dept travel advisory?

haaamean - ack!! Is the Nogales Sonora newspaper online? Any idea where I can find out more about this?? From looking at the map this is the most convinient crossing but after getting these responses we may well have to change the route!

Thanks for all your help! Sure glad I posted this message...it could change our travel plan BIG time!

I don't see a site for the newspaper and I would scan mine but I threw it out this morning

The good thing is that there is now military presence in Nuevo Laredo which has caused the crime rate to drop. I would think that if you didn't plan on stopping in Nuevo Laredo (except for immigration) then you would be ok once you got to Monterrey. You also may take a little comfort in knowing that all of those who were kidnapped(about 30) were Mexican Americans who appeared to be wealthy. Speculation was that they were only kidnapping those likely to speak spanish in order to negotiate ransom better. This kidnapping is what prompted the State Department's warning. Hopefully this is good information for you.....but somebody from or near to Nuevo Laredo PLEASE give him some info!!!

My family and I traveled in July across the border at Laredo, but through the Columbia crossing (Puente Solidaridad) which is upriver of Laredo about 20-30 kilometers. The crossing was safe, efficient, and quick. We will return that way next month!