MexLuis Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 We are planning to re-enter Mexico late October. (Update fyi: we are coming from direction of New Orleans) We normally enter through Laredo. To those who have entered recently through TEXAS border crossings, (in past couple of months) what was your experience like? And lastly; Is anyone (like us) planning their entry come last week in October/to Ajijic/Chapala? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jreboll Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 Yesterday’s news was that one of Brownsville’s bridges was closed because migrants had decided to camp out on the bridge. Last Feb. the Progreso bridge was using only one lane because of the migrants. On another note I had heard that Mexico was requiring car insurance but when I crossed they didn’t ask me for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out1 Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 Crossed southbound at Brownsville in early September at about 7:00 AM; waved right through, only slowed down for the topes. No sign of migrants anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostlylost Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 Laredo bridge 2 crossing has a large number of inspection stations for your vehicle. More red lights and more scrutiny of vehicle contents. At 6AM I was inspected with a green light. a month later entering I got a red light at 7:30AM, but all the inspection stations were in use so I was waved on to exit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bojackson Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 I would highly recommend Anzalduas bridge at Pharr, Texas. Crossed a couple of weeks back around 7:30 a.m. and was third in line for TIP and 180 day visitor permit. In and out in 30 minutes or less. Laredo has only gotten worse recently, crossed there two months ago, with all the immigrant activity and all immigrants being detained in Nuevo Laredo. Plus locating the aduana office is a major headache and a number of the border patrol agents in Laredo are complete jerks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jreboll Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 Ditto on Anzalduas. I go to Free Trade Bridge the night before, get all my paperwork done, and then cross Anzalduas ar 6am without having to stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 For us, Andalucia is way out of the way in terms of both routes coming from the north and where most of the hotels, shopping and places to eat are. Also I don't see why anyone would want to cross at McAllen and then go out of the way to go south via Laredo. Crossing at Pharr puts you on a straight shot to the south and also avoids a lot of tolls. There are no tolls until you are well south of Ciudad Victoria and only a short portion of driving on that truck jammed road north of San Luis Potosi. We are going that way in a week and a half and I'll post a trip report when we reach Pharr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MexLuis Posted October 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 Yes, we are looking to avoid inspection slowdown, and we are coming from the East / New Orleans area. Those two points in mind, best recommendations. Apologies should have mentioned that earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted October 11, 2019 Report Share Posted October 11, 2019 If you are coming from the east it makes little sense to wade through Laredo, which is much busier than Pharr and as I noted a more direct, lower toll route south. We've never been delayed going south, sometimes we get the red light and a cursory check and that is it. Many more choices for hotels and eating on the U.S. side of Pharr/McAllen and you bypass all urban areas until you get to Lagos de Moreno. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MexLuis Posted October 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2019 (Mainecoons) . So Pharr is McAllen, correct? What is the route traveled after that crossing? Are we still on tollroads? Has anyone done this Pharr/McAllen in the past two months? I hear things have changed recently, and there are more checks/payment demanded? Feedback from those who have used Pharr/McAllen in the past few months please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted October 11, 2019 Report Share Posted October 11, 2019 No, Pharr is Pharr, not the McAllen bridge that takes you into Reynosa. You go straight out from the entry check onto a short toll road that takes you south of town and follow signs to San Fernando or Guadalupe Victoria. No driving through Reynosa or any other urban area until that awful ring road around Lagos de Moreno. No way to avoid that one, unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bojackson Posted October 11, 2019 Report Share Posted October 11, 2019 I crossed at Anzalduas two weeks ago. Plenty of hotel, shopping and eating places between Pharr and Laredo. Left aduana at 7:30 and arrived back in SAT at 6:30. Eleven hours with only minimal gas and bano breaks. Mostly close to speed limit. Paid 1,480 pesos in tolls, 14 toll booths. Easy drive. Used WAZE gps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted October 11, 2019 Report Share Posted October 11, 2019 If you like paying $40 U.S. more in tolls, 5 more toll booths and going out of your way, hey go for it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbird Posted October 11, 2019 Report Share Posted October 11, 2019 If you go the Pharr way how are the roads? On the map they look a lot curvier than the Laredo route. I've wanted to try that way some time but was hesitant because it looks like too many curves. Also the map says there's only 21 minutes difference. Not much unless there is a benefit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted October 11, 2019 Report Share Posted October 11, 2019 There are some mountain passes but the road is good and the scenery is excellent. It is an enjoyable part of the drive. I make this run in 10.5 hours or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MexLuis Posted October 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2019 Maincoons, Once having crossed the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, what is the route involved to navigate to Lake Chapala? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toyhauler 4u Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 Crossed at Anzalduas this morning. I went to the voluntary declare line. 5 minute inspection of my list, 10 minute wait to pay taxes, 5 minutes to check in with INM. Then off I went. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 15 hours ago, MexLuis said: Maincoons, Once having crossed the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, what is the route involved to navigate to Lake Chapala? Just drive straight south following signs to San Fernando and Ciudad Victoria. First you'll go on a short toll road to the exit at the overpass onto Ruta 97 which merges with Ruta 101 South, as you approach Ciudad Victoria you can take a bypass clearly signed to San Luis Potosi. At the end of Ruta 101 there's a short stretch on 75D over to the main road south, Ruta 57 and from there it is the same as the other route. Question: Has anything been done at all to fix that terrible bypass around Lagos de Moreno? Headed that way in a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toyhauler 4u Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 I took the Lagos de Moreno bypass last week. Lots of new asphalt. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freewilly Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 I am going from Blanco Tx to zacatecas in 2 weeks. I see that it is an hour more to cross at Pharr than Laredo. We have never driven either route. Is it worth it to go through Pharr? We are into scenery, and only going as far as Satillo the first night so either route works time wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 No reason to go out of your way. Coming from Blanco, take the shortest route. Laredo is a bit more complicated, get good driving directions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 Nothing complicated about crossing at Colombia Solidarity.... just to the western edge of Laredo. After a quick crossing you will join 85 south towards Monterrey just as if you crossed downtown Laredo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jreboll Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 Coming through Pharr you could take the opportunity to explore the Rio Grande Valley. There’s shopping and south Padre Island and eventually the SpaceX facility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freewilly Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 not looking to explore the Valley. We have spent a winter around Corpus and feel ok with that... Anxious to explore Mexico....so the advice is either road in MX is as enjoyable? We are driving a convertible..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 Between Ciudad Victoria and San Luis Potosi there is some really nice scenery. If you have extra time, stay in Ciudad Victoria and then take the mountain route to where it rejoins the main road south of CV and on the other side of the mountain. Twisty and spectacular! We did this on a recommendation by RV Gringo and it was just excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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