Getting mixed opinions - are the libre roads safe from Ajijic to Laredo

[SusieSunshine]

I hear they are fine...I hear they are covered in killings...I hear it is only paranoia...I hear that I'll be carjacked and killed.

Any one take them lately? What does everyone think? I know a few save time and I'm all over that, but in general will I make it to the border and back on the libre roads or am I asking for trouble? My Spanish is awful, but my papers are all in order and I have found that if I just hand them all over, I get through the police stops...they find what they want. Doing it tomorrow (Saturday) if that matters. I was thinking that with more travelers, less hassle...more witnesses. I won't be driving in the night, either.

I'm not stupid, but tend to be naive...especially when it comes to violence and what other people are capable of.

[Ajijic]

Stay on the cuotas, drive in day time and enjoy the journey. I have friends who travel at least monthly to Laredo and cross at bridge 2 with no problems.

[Toltepeceno]

We just came down through the cuotas and got there christmas eve. Up there they say do not use the libres, down here they say do not use the libres. The checks forums, etc. online and people all up through there says stay off the libre's. I am not worried at all about the cuotas.

You quite probably would make it ok, but the libre's are where they set up roadblocks to rob, carjack, etc.when they do it.

[SusieSunshine]

Thanks! That's what I had always heard and I took them coming down. I'm just trying to be cheap.

[Cyn2]

Lirbres take longer and lots of large trucks. Easier & faster on the cuotas

[RVGRINGO]

That's not always the case. We used to use the route from Laredo to Zacatecas and 54 straight south to Guadalajara, straight through centro following the signs for the airport and Chapala. Except for a few 'curvy parts', we were often pushing 80 mph. However, we haven't been out of Mexico for many years.

[Studio del Sol]

Being cheap could mean robbed or worse. How cheap is that?

[SusieSunshine]

Mix worked well for me. No problems on 54 and the roads aren't bad. Saved time and money from what I can tell.

I'm cheap, but not stupid. Quality matters...that was the purpose of the question. However, if I can get the same result for less, I will.

[Arroyo Grande]

As a resident of Nuevo Laredo who travels to Monterrey once a month I would not recommend the libre between Monterrey and Nuevo Laredo. No one can predict conditions at any specific time, but there was an aggresive military operation directed against the Zetas around Sabinas Hidalgo over the past few months. The cuota for the autopista is only about $15. I know the OP has already traveled so this is just general advice.

[paradise]

ok guys... here are the facts. the free highways tend to be more dangerous to drive on. out of the top 5 most dangerous highways, one on the list is the gdl to mazatlan free road. this is due to the % of accidents on that highways v the toll road. you deal with semi trucks that decided to pass on blind turns thus causing horrific accidents. driving on the free roads simply increases your chances of having a car accident. the toll roads do have some problems since the barriers dont have any rebar rods and simply crumble allowing the crash vehicles to be on your lane as you drive through.......

so i hope this simple information will allow you to make the best choice for yourself..............use the toll roads.

[paradise]

here is the link to the article from the mexican sct .... and there is a map.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/184906.html

[SusieSunshine]

As a resident of Nuevo Laredo who travels to Monterrey once a month I would not recommend the libre between Monterrey and Nuevo Laredo. No one can predict conditions at any specific time, but there was an aggresive military operation directed against the Zetas around Sabinas Hidalgo over the past few months. The cuota for the autopista is only about $15. I know the OP has already traveled so this is just general advice.

Interestingly, I wasn't too sure of that area and used the toll roads. It was $180pesos, I think. However, once I get near the border (especially around Monterrey) I get a little nervous.

In the states, I was on one of the most dangerous Interstates and found the libre roads better than that, but it was like driving in Guadalajara (during peak times) for hours...always on alert!

[traderspoc]

Be prudent, go with the best value, not the cheapest

the toll roads offer insurance with the toll, what a geat value.

an accident on the libre could be a nightmare.

[Arroyo Grande]

There is no sound or compelling reason for the typical reader of this forum to take the libre between Monterrey and Nuevo Laredo.