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4 Responses to 'Driving From the USA to the Yucatan?'

1. Alex - March 18th, 2010 at 2:28 pm

   Are you crazy its too farr

2. MXDiscipline. - March 21st, 2010 at 6:40 am

   Its a long way, you can find everything you want, but its too far.

3. Charlie - March 21st, 2010 at 5:51 pm

   Very challenging, but can be done…esp. if you want to enjoy the trip, not just the destination. see map below and add half a day time. best place to cross is at Mcallen, Tx. then take the coastal route…hwy 180 all the way to veracruz. Road is ok to Tampico, then becomes better, much of it 4 lane. I have not gone further than Veracruz, but know people who have who say roads are good. You wil need a Guia Roji, the Mexican road atlas. Can get it at large bookstores or amazon.com. You will also need a Mexican car permit and car ins. tolls are about #0.00 as far as Veracruz…last I knew. But, more of the toll road has been re-done, so there may be more toll booths now. You should spend some time in the city of Veracruz…go t o the Centro historico district…esp. in the eve…and the aquarium and Malecon. Lots of cheaphotels along the way…if money is an issue avoid the touristy looking ones and stay in the highway motels.

4. Rockin' Mel S - March 22nd, 2010 at 3:51 am

   Charley’s answer is great. There was a bad stretch between Tampico and Tuxpan with lots of roadwork and generally not good roads. (Though that was some months ago so things may be better now). I can confirm the roads are very good past Veracruz all the way to Cancun. (if you are going that far).

   I last did the drive in August, crossed at Brownsville, TX. Then spend nights in Tampico, Veracruz, Cuidad Del Carmen and Merida. (Campeche is nice too, you might want to spend some time there).

   It’s not that bad of a drive, we did it from Toronto in seven days. Of course if you have more time then stretch it out, enjoy the sights. Try to drive in the daylight through Mexico as the road sometimes has surprises, like trucks with no lights, guys on highway on a bicycle, animals, potholes and so on. Daylight driving is much easier/better.

   Don’t sweat the tolls, if you have an option to take a toll road VS. a free road – take the toll road. It will save you time and money in the end. I would guess that we likely paid about $25 USD in tolls as far a Merida.

   The toll road between Merida and Cancun is expensive, about $30 USD for that alone, but again, it’s worth it. The drive on that toll road is about 3 hours to Cancun while the free road is at least double that time and much more wear on your car.

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