Advice for the journey to GTO

[Erika128]

Hello, my partner & I will be making the journey from Oregon to Guanajuato next week, and I am hoping to get advice about our journey. We are driving a small SUV and not towing anything. We will be crossing the border at Laredo-Colombia as soon as it opens (8am), then a brief stop for paperwork. Google maps tells me it takes anywhere from 9-10 hours to arrive at our destination, however I'm not sure if it's a good idea to try and do it in one day before dark. Our landlords seem more than happy to meet us, even in the evening.

What would you do? Stop for the night somewhere north of GTO - if so, where? We have two big dogs. Or, not worry so much and just make the drive?

Thank you all for your opinions.

[mr bill]

First thing I would do is reconsider the border crossing point. Columbia is out of the way, last I was there [quite a while back] there were no services [motels] and not being open until 8am there is bound to be a waiting line prior to that time. Columbia was built to alleviate truck congestion on Bridge 2 [the end of I-35] which no longer allows trucks. I've crossed Bridge 2 at all hours of the day and there is never a wait coming into Mexico.

[jesm]

My vote is to make the trip in a single +/- 10 hour haul. We have done that numerous times without issue, especially during the summer months with longer daylight. Keep to the autopistas, toll roads, they are safer, better patroled, and allow you to average 60 miles covered each hour, unless you make too many pit-stops or dally. Have around 5000 pesos in cash on hand for tolls, gas, food. Start at first light and enjoy a breathtakingly beautiful trip.