Driving into M?xico

[Doyle Phillips]

Within the past month or so have you crossed the border into M?xico and driven into the interior? Any experiences to relate?

A somewhat worried friend is thinking of driving from the Texas border to Guanajuato.

Thanks.

[colleen]

In mid October we went to McAllen to pick up books for the store. Crossed into McAllen at Pharr and back from McAllen to Reynosa. Nothing scary. No dodging bullets. Very quiet. Same as in the past

[Andrea]

We just drove back last week via Pharr / Reynosa International Bridge and had no issues - happily same as always. But it pays (as always) to be on the alert..... had the usual stops for military and for aduana.

We paused for the night (both ways) in Ciudad Victoria as we steer clear of Monterrey totally opting for the "other route".
Andrea

Within the past month or so have you crossed the border into M?xico and driven into the interior? Any experiences to relate?

A somewhat worried friend is thinking of driving from the Texas border to Guanajuato.

Thanks.

[laconstance]

Drove across the border at Laredo (bridge #2), early October, and found nothing scary, though we had to make a couple of loops in Nuevo Laredo at 5:30 A.M. to find the correct street to get to immigration and the car permit place. All smooth, all fast. On the cuotas, I stick to the speed limit; M?xicans seem not to, and sometimes drive aggressively. No problems on the trip.

[charlesandterri]

We drove back and forth via Laredo during September. On the way back we spent the night in Laredo and crossed around 9:00 am on Sunday. There was little traffic and it couldn't have been simpler. As a precaution we are always careful to cross during daylight hours, we stick to the main road, and especially avoid wandering around on local streets in border towns. In many crossings, nothing the slightest bit threatening has happened to us. We will no doubt drive again in the future.

[SLS]

Just yesterday, my folks drove from GTO to Laredo and crossed at Columbia. They reported no problems whatsoever and had a very quick scoot through customs.

-Stephanie

[mexhapati]

although i try to make a point of not driving at night, many times seem to leave late so i end up arriving in laredo between midnight and 3 am with the redeeming factor the the line at bridge numer one is usually minimal..before crossing i buy dollars and insure my mexican vehicle, and while i find myself looking over my shoulder happy to report that i have never had a negative incident of any kind.

the plus side of the return is when i drive my car with mexican plates, no permits necessary, usually waved through the check point, less than 20 minutes and we leave nuevo laredo far behind us

[mr bill]

I agree with mexhapati we plan our departures from here around noon to 2pm so we get to N Laredo and the bridge around 9 or a bit later. The new [about a year+] toll way from Saltillo to Monterrey is a dream and not very expensive. Last trip instead of getting off at the Periferico and its high prices we used the Libre which parallels it - almost as fast and you can't beat free. The policy on our GTO plated car includes US insurance so that saves another 15 minutes on the trip. And I too think having a Mexican plated car makes it easier getting back through Km 26. The only problems we encounter are from the Americans: Why are you living in Mexico? [none of your business ] Why are you coming here? [shopping] Why? [why do you think they call it "Mall del Norte" stupid - its for us of course]