catbird Posted September 27, 2019 Report Share Posted September 27, 2019 Google map shows two routes, one thru the center of Mexico and one along the pacific coast. I'd like opinions about the best way to go. Good roads are more important to me than shorter distance. I've never gone this way before but I've gone to Laredo many times. This looks like a much longer drive. Gracias Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVGRINGO Posted September 27, 2019 Report Share Posted September 27, 2019 I suggest the western route, using 15D toll road. It will be the better part of three days. But, if you are ambitious, it can be done in two, with a night in Navajoa. The days are shorter now, so three days would be better, using Mazatlan or Culiacan for your first stop, and probably Hermosillo for the second night. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostlylost Posted September 27, 2019 Report Share Posted September 27, 2019 Western route. 100% The other option will take you through areas with less traffic and more cartels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 3rd vote for the "Pacific Coast" route. I have done both several times over the years and the actual road conditions change seemingly every 6 months... so unless someone who had driven one or the other 'lately' chimes in it's a crap shoot. Since daylight hours are getting shorter I would definitely spend two nights on the road.... one in either Mazatlan or Culiacán, and then Navoja or Hermosillo and then to the border. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 Depending on when you're going, please make sure that your AC is working perfectly. Especially taking the western route. I'm in PV right now on an overnight before a direct flight to Toronto. It's 87 F. and feels like 107 F with the humidity. I'm hiding in my room with the A/C until tomorrow morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibarra Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 We moved to MX from Scottsdale. Lived in Sonora, 10 years, then moved to Chapala 12 years ago. We have made this trip several times. Western route is the only way to go. We have found that for us, drive to Mazatlan, spend the night. Leave early in the morning for San Carlos/Guaymas, Sonora area, spend the night, on to Scottsdale in the morning. We suggest staying at the Best Western in San Carlos, Sonora. It is safe, clean and has a great view of the ocean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisbee Gal Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 6 hours ago, ibarra said: We moved to MX from Scottsdale. Lived in Sonora, 10 years, then moved to Chapala 12 years ago. We have made this trip several times. Western route is the only way to go. We have found that for us, drive to Mazatlan, spend the night. Leave early in the morning for San Carlos/Guaymas, Sonora area, spend the night, on to Scottsdale in the morning. We suggest staying at the Best Western in San Carlos, Sonora. It is safe, clean and has a great view of the ocean. We drove this same route with the same stops when we had a home in AZ. Except in summer when the days were long and we'd do it with one overnight in Los Mochis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Cartero Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 I’ve done both. Western route best. Navajoa first night and Phoenix next. New toll roads greatly reduce time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 We lived in Scottsdale for a number of years, then moved to Mazatlan for 20 yrs...drove this western route always. When younger it took exactly 16 yrs from Mazatlan to our door in Scottsdale....can't do that kind of driving nowadays! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mexjerry Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 27 minutes ago, Willie said: We lived in Scottsdale for a number of years, then moved to Mazatlan for 20 yrs...drove this western route always. When younger it took exactly 16 yrs from Mazatlan to our door in Scottsdale....can't do that kind of driving nowadays! Must have been before automobiles 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 20 hours ago, Mostlylost said: Western route. 100% The other option will take you through areas with less traffic and more cartels. And some pretty bad roads. Take the western route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbird Posted September 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 Thanks a lot guys, I'll take the western route for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Carlos Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 Be careful in Novojoa. We were stopped by a dirty cop and extorted for $3,000 pesos. Only English words he knew were tickets, jail and CASH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
More Liana Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 Lots of posters (more than 90) on a FB group I belong to are reporting problems with extortion on the coast toll road. Here's a link that explains very clearly what's going on: https://themazatlanpost.com/2019/04/19/peasants-forced-to-collect-fees-in-nayarit-on-the-mazatlan-tepic-highway-by-cartels/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 This article is from last Winter and Spring. Is your information that it is still going on, and on a daily basis yet today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
More Liana Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 20 minutes ago, RickS said: This article is from last Winter and Spring. Is your information that it is still going on, and on a daily basis yet today? Absolutely, still going on and actually more severe than at the time the article was published. This article simply explains the 'why'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 Thanks. Do your 'sources' suggest that there is any 'violence' associated with the actions being taken? Thousands of folks must use that cuota on a regular basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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