Driving In Mexico
Great Roads
The roads in Mexico improve at a rapid pace. In the northern parts of the country, roads have scenery much like you might find in Arizona and Utah. The roads are four-lane, high speed, Cuota, (toll) or Libre, (Free). As you go south, you will find the roads narrowing a bit but otherwise well surfaced. Mexico can be an enjoyable place to drive and the scenery is magnificent. There are a few hazards to keep in mind, however.
Topes
Foremost among the perils are the topes. These are speed bumps meant to slow traffic. Aimed mainly at the locals, who speed at all times and don’t slow for pedestrians, school crossings, posted speed limits, or anything else for that matter; the topes are erected by the towns to slow vehicles passing through the village.
The town builds a series of hills constructed of pavement or concrete that stretches across the road. These are often indicated with a sign warning of Tope (in the south, Oaxaca) Reductador, or Vibrador (in the north, Mazatlan). The problem with these topes is that about 30 % of them, particularly in the south, are not marked. You must be vigilant to avoid hitting one at full speed. If you drive for any distance in Mexico, you are bound to hit one. You cannot escape hitting a tope; even the locals slam into them.
Gassing Up
Mexico has a National provider of Gasoline and diesel, the Pemex station. They are a welcome sight on a long road trip.
Regardless of your destination: Chiapas or Morelia, Merida or Veracruz, you will gas up at Pemex. On a long mountain road such as the one from Mazatlan to Durango and on to Zacatecas and the ruin of Alta Vista, you might need to buy gas from an independent (a restaurant or convenience store that dispenses it form a plastic jug) Otherwise you will buy from Pemex and it is all at the same price.
While the gas is dispensed at the same price throughout the country, there is one hazard to keep in mind: the attendants often make mistakes when pumping that gas.
You ask for two hundred pesos of Magma, the regular gas, and the attendant pumps one hundred. You ask for four hundred, and they pump three hundred or even two hundred. You must get out of the car and check the amount on the gas pump before you pay; otherwise, you might receive less than you paid for.
Rest Areas
If you are traveling by RV, watch for the Pemex stations outside of the congested cities, they will have a wide paved or gravel area where you can park for an extended rest. The roads will not have rest areas. Otherwise, you can park overnight where you see 18-wheelers park, alongside restaurants and villages. The safest place, however, is the 24- hour Pemex; they are well lit and will often have a security person on duty.
Next: Road Trip Coastal, Oaxaca City to Nogales
Great Roads
The roads in Mexico improve at a rapid pace. In the northern parts of the country, roads have scenery much like you might find in Arizona and Utah. The roads are four-lane, high speed, Cuota, (toll) or Libre, (Free). As you go south, you will find the roads narrowing a bit but otherwise well surfaced. Mexico can be an enjoyable place to drive and the scenery is magnificent. There are a few hazards to keep in mind, however.
Topes
Foremost among the perils are the topes. These are speed bumps meant to slow traffic. Aimed mainly at the locals, who speed at all times and don’t slow for pedestrians, school crossings, posted speed limits, or anything else for that matter; the topes are erected by the towns to slow vehicles passing through the village.
The town builds a series of hills constructed of pavement or concrete that stretches across the road. These are often indicated with a sign warning of Tope (in the south, Oaxaca) Reductador, or Vibrador (in the north, Mazatlan). The problem with these topes is that about 30 % of them, particularly in the south, are not marked. You must be vigilant to avoid hitting one at full speed. If you drive for any distance in Mexico, you are bound to hit one. You cannot escape hitting a tope; even the locals slam into them.
Gassing Up
Mexico has a National provider of Gasoline and diesel, the Pemex station. They are a welcome sight on a long road trip.
Regardless of your destination: Chiapas or Morelia, Merida or Veracruz, you will gas up at Pemex. On a long mountain road such as the one from Mazatlan to Durango and on to Zacatecas and the ruin of Alta Vista, you might need to buy gas from an independent (a restaurant or convenience store that dispenses it form a plastic jug) Otherwise you will buy from Pemex and it is all at the same price.
While the gas is dispensed at the same price throughout the country, there is one hazard to keep in mind: the attendants often make mistakes when pumping that gas.
You ask for two hundred pesos of Magma, the regular gas, and the attendant pumps one hundred. You ask for four hundred, and they pump three hundred or even two hundred. You must get out of the car and check the amount on the gas pump before you pay; otherwise, you might receive less than you paid for.
Rest Areas
If you are traveling by RV, watch for the Pemex stations outside of the congested cities, they will have a wide paved or gravel area where you can park for an extended rest. The roads will not have rest areas. Otherwise, you can park overnight where you see 18-wheelers park, alongside restaurants and villages. The safest place, however, is the 24- hour Pemex; they are well lit and will often have a security person on duty.
Next: Road Trip Coastal, Oaxaca City to Nogales
