And in some places you make a left turn from the Right Lane! And then there are the shakedown protesters who take over a toll booth on the Autopista, in the middle of nowhere, and ask for donations in lieu of the tolls, which are now free because they’ve chased off the tollbooth workers
Yes, left turns from right lanes are pretty ubiquitous - takes some getting used to. There is logic to the whole driving experience - but sometimes feels like logical mayhem.
As far as I know, I didn't encounter any taken-over toll stations. At least I think I didn't...
And blinkers. Left hand blinker on doesn't mean they're making a left turn. It means a lot of things. But not that. Usually. I'll never forget Puebla to Oaxaca mountain passes that are just single lanes that change direction and so you must keep your eye on the road for the reverse arrows. Exciting! I remember talking to the dogs. We're fine, we're almost there, we can do it. I missed the part about all the nice hotels you clearly stayed in. :-) hahahaha. Bring on Part 2!
Oh yes, the funs of distance driving in Mexico are many and varied. My favorite is the suicide passing right down the middle of the not-an-autopista road with cars and/or trucks halfway on the shoulders watching (we hope) for bikes and Honda 125 motorcycles with three guys piled on hitting a max velocity a bit over walking speed. Good times. And of course, let's not forget that the tool booths (sorry, toll booths) not only cost money; sometimes they take forever to get through with a big lineup behind, but still I have had much fun and decent roadside burritos, and moved through town after town on the libres, which can be quite interesting, as long as you're not looking to get where you're going in a hurry.
Right on. It is my DREAM to increase my driving throughout Mexico, to get to point A, B,C.
Your tips are great, and I'm already looking forward to Part 2.
* I've driven ( in a full sized rental Suburban!) up from Puerto Vallarta, to Mascota, then to Chapala, then Guadalara (wow, GDL, I did good, but that was a new experience. I stand behind my choice to designate my "navigator" in the front passenger seat and my dictate to my family/friend passengers in the back two rows to keep their lips zipped shut with any "helpful" comments from the back. haha) Then from Guadalajara to Tequilla and back to Vallarta. It was the trip that showed me I have the nerve and skills to pull off safely driving long distances in MX as a foreigner / resident.
That sounds like a good opening gambit, Matty! Good call on silencing the passengers - I made this last trip alone so I just had to tell myself to shut up. Hope you find some more fun road adventures in your future.
I'm just here for the irony of your road trip in an unnecessary vehicle ;) hey we all have preferences!
It doesn't surprise me one bit that you paid more in tolls than you did for gas. I suspect even Chevrolets (gas guzzlers?) would struggle to make the gas costs outprice the toll booths!
An excellent primer on Mexican driving, Mike! It’s a complex topic, and you covered it very well. One thought I like to share with my traveling friends is to avoid driving at night. Visibility can be difficult, and navigation can be a challenge; many roads are poorly lit or not marked with reflective paint. I recall a black “tope” speed bump I hit in Puebla while traveling at 40 km/h. When I drive, I try to start at dawn and arrive at my destination before dark!
Thank you, Marty - and thanks for the re-stack! I have the same feelings about nighttime driving as you do - I don't do it (well, I'll do it in a city/town but not cross-country). I will be sure to mention that in part 2.
Driving through mexico does not sound too appealing, especially when there are such awesome first class buses (that you wrote about awhile back)! I think I will stick to the bus, with the fully reclining seats, big windows, and personal TV screens. :-)
Borrowing from literary folk: WOW!, OMG, and Yikes!
I can confirm my reasons for postponing reading your story: My vivid imagination allowed me to deeply feel your journey. Thanks to my chuckles, I remembered to breathe. I experienced envy (initially), admiration, horror, and relief, and then I simply wanted to meet this dog you're snatching. Right after college (1977), I traveled with a friend from Laredo, Texas, to Mexico City, Taxco, Acapulco, and back via a slightly different road. ZERO incidents or distress (I was too young and innocent, perhaps). Like the rest of your readership, I look forward to Part 2.
Sounds like a fun trip. I'm starting to get the sense that technology improvement is inversely proportional to road experiences. I enjoyed road tripping way more back in the day. Of course, that could just be a comment on my age. But I prefer to blame technology and pretend I'm still young 🙂.
Great info, Mike! During my travels that include both sides of the border, I struggle on the US side with sleepiness and on the Mexico side with staying alive :-)
And in some places you make a left turn from the Right Lane! And then there are the shakedown protesters who take over a toll booth on the Autopista, in the middle of nowhere, and ask for donations in lieu of the tolls, which are now free because they’ve chased off the tollbooth workers
Yes, left turns from right lanes are pretty ubiquitous - takes some getting used to. There is logic to the whole driving experience - but sometimes feels like logical mayhem.
As far as I know, I didn't encounter any taken-over toll stations. At least I think I didn't...
And blinkers. Left hand blinker on doesn't mean they're making a left turn. It means a lot of things. But not that. Usually. I'll never forget Puebla to Oaxaca mountain passes that are just single lanes that change direction and so you must keep your eye on the road for the reverse arrows. Exciting! I remember talking to the dogs. We're fine, we're almost there, we can do it. I missed the part about all the nice hotels you clearly stayed in. :-) hahahaha. Bring on Part 2!
It was nothing but Ritz Carltons all the way. I didn't want to put too much icing on the cake.
Ahh, the joys of the open road! You covered it, Mike!
Yes, joys is one way of putting it 😆
Oh yes, the funs of distance driving in Mexico are many and varied. My favorite is the suicide passing right down the middle of the not-an-autopista road with cars and/or trucks halfway on the shoulders watching (we hope) for bikes and Honda 125 motorcycles with three guys piled on hitting a max velocity a bit over walking speed. Good times. And of course, let's not forget that the tool booths (sorry, toll booths) not only cost money; sometimes they take forever to get through with a big lineup behind, but still I have had much fun and decent roadside burritos, and moved through town after town on the libres, which can be quite interesting, as long as you're not looking to get where you're going in a hurry.
Ha - you are right. Unfortunately, I was on a tight schedule, which made the whole thing less interesting/enjoyable. One day I'll quit my job...
Right on. It is my DREAM to increase my driving throughout Mexico, to get to point A, B,C.
Your tips are great, and I'm already looking forward to Part 2.
* I've driven ( in a full sized rental Suburban!) up from Puerto Vallarta, to Mascota, then to Chapala, then Guadalara (wow, GDL, I did good, but that was a new experience. I stand behind my choice to designate my "navigator" in the front passenger seat and my dictate to my family/friend passengers in the back two rows to keep their lips zipped shut with any "helpful" comments from the back. haha) Then from Guadalajara to Tequilla and back to Vallarta. It was the trip that showed me I have the nerve and skills to pull off safely driving long distances in MX as a foreigner / resident.
That sounds like a good opening gambit, Matty! Good call on silencing the passengers - I made this last trip alone so I just had to tell myself to shut up. Hope you find some more fun road adventures in your future.
I'm just here for the irony of your road trip in an unnecessary vehicle ;) hey we all have preferences!
It doesn't surprise me one bit that you paid more in tolls than you did for gas. I suspect even Chevrolets (gas guzzlers?) would struggle to make the gas costs outprice the toll booths!
You're right, Nadine - the tolls add up to like a dozen flights to the same destination. I may or may not be exaggerating.
An excellent primer on Mexican driving, Mike! It’s a complex topic, and you covered it very well. One thought I like to share with my traveling friends is to avoid driving at night. Visibility can be difficult, and navigation can be a challenge; many roads are poorly lit or not marked with reflective paint. I recall a black “tope” speed bump I hit in Puebla while traveling at 40 km/h. When I drive, I try to start at dawn and arrive at my destination before dark!
Thank you, Marty - and thanks for the re-stack! I have the same feelings about nighttime driving as you do - I don't do it (well, I'll do it in a city/town but not cross-country). I will be sure to mention that in part 2.
Driving through mexico does not sound too appealing, especially when there are such awesome first class buses (that you wrote about awhile back)! I think I will stick to the bus, with the fully reclining seats, big windows, and personal TV screens. :-)
"Leave the driving to us" is a slogan I can get behind.
Borrowing from literary folk: WOW!, OMG, and Yikes!
I can confirm my reasons for postponing reading your story: My vivid imagination allowed me to deeply feel your journey. Thanks to my chuckles, I remembered to breathe. I experienced envy (initially), admiration, horror, and relief, and then I simply wanted to meet this dog you're snatching. Right after college (1977), I traveled with a friend from Laredo, Texas, to Mexico City, Taxco, Acapulco, and back via a slightly different road. ZERO incidents or distress (I was too young and innocent, perhaps). Like the rest of your readership, I look forward to Part 2.
Sounds like a fun trip. I'm starting to get the sense that technology improvement is inversely proportional to road experiences. I enjoyed road tripping way more back in the day. Of course, that could just be a comment on my age. But I prefer to blame technology and pretend I'm still young 🙂.
Great info, Mike! During my travels that include both sides of the border, I struggle on the US side with sleepiness and on the Mexico side with staying alive :-)