DRIVING Texas to Playa Del Carmen

christo1985 Member

1POSTS

10 years ago

Im planning on driving from AUSTIN Texas to Playa Del Carmen in the next few weeks.... Looking for any advice on doing the drive.. Good idea or Bad?
Any feedback would be great thanks

1 member reacted to this post

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guestposter3251 Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

I have not done the drive but did a lot of research at one point. Belize forums is another site for info. carry about $20.00 in your wallet and hide the rest. When you cross into Mexico do it early in the morning and be well south by dusk and in a motel with gated security. The border crossing and the best route south changes over time so not comment on that. do not have any guns on you. have the vehicle registration in mexico figured out. get vehicle insurance at the border.

1 member reacted to this post

joaquinx Serial expat

461POSTS

10 years ago

This site will help in planning the route

http://app.sct.gob.mx/sibuac_internet/ControllerUI?action=cmdEscogeRuta

jimk New member

4POSTS

10 years ago

I drove Dallas to Oaxaca and it was fine. Same advice as previous - leave Austin early am and cross border around noon. Purchase you r car insurance beforehand. I'd stop in Saltillo for the night well before sundown. The road gets better and better as you go further south. Take toll roads wherever possible, maintain the speed limit and only drive during the day and you'll be fine. Be sure to bring lots of money just for tolls - I'd estimate about $150 or so. And yes it is a good idea to keep a limited stash in your wallet and hide the rest.

mickeyc99 Member

2POSTS

10 years ago

Done the trip 5 times now (Mexico to Canada and back) no problems. Cross at Laredo and travel toll roads most of the way to Chelem (Merida). The tolls add up to approx. $1,500 pesos but well worth it. Our Carman GPS has not let us down in Mexico at all. Safe travels.
Mike

Lonecowboy Active member

84POSTS

10 years ago

Hi Christo
My Mexican wife and I crossed the Texas border at Laredo last Nov. 03 . We were hauling a 28', - 3 horse angle-haul trailer loaded w/ 12,000 # of belongings.. We drove to Merida unloaded trailer ,parked for the winter and returned to Canada via Quadalajara - Mazatlan. 22,000 km. inside Mexico.
Except for the terrible highways, pot-holes and topes we experienced no major problems. Did manage to totally demolish $ 800 worth of Ticul pottery on the way home. Not sure exactly but there is one stretch of highway past Villahermosa that follows the coast-line on the way up towards Campeche. if you're towing, don't go that way . There is a parralel highway to the south.
If you'd like additional info let me know and we could communicate in private
Bill

Lonecowboy Active member

84POSTS

10 years ago

OOPS! Didn't see the date of that post before replying.!

hidyaphrodite New member

5POSTS

9 years ago

I'm glad you responded. I'm planning to drive to Playa del Carmen later this year from Arkansas and I'm trying to find out as much as I can about the road trip.

Mike2017 Member

2POSTS

9 years ago

I would say don't do it, the roads from the border till about Veracruz are very dangerous, at least that's what I hear, been living in Tampico for 6 month now.

Lonecowboy Active member

84POSTS

9 years ago

#10

Interesting!
I'm now 75. I made that trip from Canada to Merida in 2014, stayed the winter and returned via Guadalajara, San Carlos.
Bring lots of pesos for the toll gates,'leave your guns at home boys' and don't go looking for drugs and you'll be fine.
Lighten up.
Lonecowboy

1 member reacted to this post

rhondah726 Member

1POSTS

3 years ago

#11

I drove as a solo female from South Carolina to Playa del Carmen. I'd advise getting a Telcel sim card for your unlocked phone, so that you will always have data and service, stick to toll roads (it does add up but roads are better and safer), have pesos before crossing because toll booths will not take foreign currency or cards, use common sense, drive during day, in more remote areas try not to let your gas tank go below 1/2 full because a long traffic delay can burn through it quickly and especially in the northern part of the route, gas stations were spread out further, as were bathrooms. Overall there really wasn't any time I felt unsafe, even being alone.

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nmill47 Member

1POSTS

3 years ago

#12

@rhondah726 hi thank you for sharing. When did you make the trip? Did you find hotels before you left on your trip(reservations) or as you needed them?

geonerd New member

9POSTS

3 years ago

#13

Made the drive from Colorado to Veracruz a couple of times. We only went through Nuevo Laredo once to decide if we have to leave the city under armed escort it's not worth going through. We now go through Piedras Negras. You need to stop in Allende for immigration. Save time by getting your vehicle permit ahead of time. Lots of advice about avoiding the coast so we take the tolls through San Lois Potosí, around Puebla, drop down towards Veracruz, then head towards Villahermosa if going to Yucatan. Figure 2000mxn in tolls. Probably less but we pull a trailer. It's a little longer going the central route but safer. Other advice is good - drive during daylight (hard to see cattle and potholes on a pitch black road) and STAY on the cuotas.